They gave him no time to level his rifle or to draw a knife.

One of his captors held his hands firmly behind his back, whilst the other dragged him towards the wood.

At this moment the Pilot's whistle rang sharply through the air.

This put an end to any hopes that Jack might have entertained of being rescued through that means.

Had he sounded the whistle, it would only have led Willis to suppose that he had heard the signal, and was on his way to join him.
Poor Jack judged, from the aspect of the men who held him, that they were cannibals, and consequently that his fate was sealed, for if his surmises were correct, there was little chance of the wretches relinquishing their prey.