"
"Paul, you say--eat--"
"Most probably they are cannibals. The Lord knows they must have
some sort of mild amusement in this fearful hole. Of course, the
idea is distasteful; before they cut us up they'll have to knock
us down."
"That's a darned silly joke," said Harry with some heat.
"But it's sober truth, my boy. You know me; I never pose. There
is nothing particularly revolting in the thought of being eaten;
the disadvantage of it lies in the fact that one must die first.
We all want to live; Heaven knows why. And we stand a chance.
"We know now that there is food to be had here and sufficient
air. It is nearly certain that we won't get out, but that can
come later. And what an experience! I know a dozen
anthropologists that would give their degrees for it. I can feel
myself getting enthusiastic about it."
"But what if they--they--"
"Say it. Eat us? We can fight. It will be strange if we can't
outwit these vermin. And now silence; I'm going to begin. Listen
hard--hard! The brutes are noiseless, but if they are near we can
hear their breathing."
"But, Paul--"
"No more talk. Listen!"
We lay silent for many minutes, scarcely breathing.
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