Who are these two men, Rainsford and Whitney?

The protagonist of the story, Rainsford is a well-known, highly experienced big-game hunter who has the great misfortune of being recruited as prey by General Zaroff. He is able to maintain his intellectual composure during the most frightening of circumstances. He uses this to his advantage in an attempt to outsmart Zaroff.

Whitney is Rainsford's traveling companion who first cites the rumors of evil and cannibalism that surround Ship-Trap Island.