'Tails it is! That's settled!'
''Tis fate: you can't go agen it,' murmured Meek.
'Those fellows must be pretty tired, drumming away like that,' said Trentham. 'But we had better make a start, Grinson. I think we ought to take our biscuits and water: they 'll last us a day or two, and we don't know what chances of getting food there 'll be on the cliff. You and Meek fetch them along. We 'll wait for you here.'
'They took it well,' said Hoole, when the men had gone. 'I was afraid Meek would jib.'
'Meek 's all right,' responded Trentham. 'The British sailor-man has his weak points, but he 's not a funk.'
He began to stride up and down with his hands in his pockets. Hoole watched him for half a minute or so, then said:
'You 'd better take my revolver.'
'Why in the world?' said Trentham, swinging round on him.
'It may be useful--last resource, you know.'
'If we can't do without that---- Why, man, a shot would absolutely dish us, would be heard for miles, and bring up every cannibal there is. This job has got to be done quietly.'