Suppose I and Tubbs and Braintree start to walk round this way, and you, Gayford, take the rest round the other way.

If any of us find anything, we'll stop till the other party come up.

I've got my whistle, so we'll be sure to hear one another." It could do no harm, and it might do good, so the party tacitly fell in with the suggestion, and divided itself accordingly.

Even Crashford was wise enough to feel he could gain nothing by sulking, and returned to his allegiance without demur.
"Can't we have something to eat before we start ?" said Wallas.
"My dear fellow," replied Gayford, "I wish we could, but then we shall have nothing left for to-morrow." Strange to say, Wallas disputed the matter no further, and turned with his companions to start on their tour of discovery.
Bowler kept whistling cheerily, and Gayford shouted in reply till the two parties were out of earshot.

Then each walked on in silence, eagerly scanning sea and shore in search of hope.