“That’s the same size as mine,” said Mr Preddle, quietly. “I’m afraid those of yours would not fit.”
“Fit? No!” cried Mr Frewen, impatiently. “They would be absolutely useless.”
“And of course we could not load in the old-fashioned way if we took out the powder,” said Mr Preddle.
The doctor turned away, and I saw him look anxiously toward the barricade he had so carefully built up. Then gravely—
“We have the charges in our guns, gentlemen; when they are expended we must trust to Mr Denning.”
The captain spoke again—
“Have you examined as to what provisions and water we have, Brymer?”
“Yes, sir, enough for about three days, without counting anything our passenger friends have in the way of private stores—preserved meat, delicacies, or the like.”
“Yes, but the water?” said the captain, naming the grave necessity of life in that hot climate.
“I must frankly say a very short supply, sir.”