We turned our horses and made off east-ward along the skirts of the cliffs.
Then Sandy spoke for the first time.

'I don't know how you fellows feel, but I'm not going to be taken.

There's nothing much to do except to find a place and put up a fight.

We can sell our lives dearly.' 'That's about all,' said Blenkiron cheerfully.

He had suffered such tortures on that gallop that he welcomed any kind of stationary fight.
'Serve out the arms,' said Sandy.
The Companions all carried rifles slung across their shoulders.