Part 28 (1/2)

He led me to where there was some bread and a little meat, and as I went among the trees I could see that we had sentries stationed, while the rest of the men lay about resting or smoking, while the doctor was seated by Sergeant Craig, whose arm lay upon a folded coat.

I felt no appet.i.te. The heat beneath the trees was terrible, and I was stiff and sore with the previous day's exertions; but I ate a little in obedience to Brace's wish, and he sat watching me.

”Go on, my lad,” he said.

”I cannot,” I replied.

”You must. You will want all your strength for to-night's work. Eat.”

I went on again with the bread tasting like chaff, and the meat tainted, but at last I turned away in utter disgust.

”It will do me harm, not good,” I said. ”Now tell me, what are we going to do?”

”Wait till dark,” he said, ”and then try and reconnoitre the village over yonder. As far as I can make out the rebels are making it their quarters for the day. I want to see whether it will be possible to do anything by a night surprise, but whether I shall attempt it must depend on the position they have taken up.”

”Where is the village?” I asked.

He led me to the edge of the patch of forest in which we were hidden, and pointed out a cl.u.s.ter of mud-houses about a couple of miles away, right in an open part of the plain which spread away from us for miles.

”Keep back behind the leaves,” he said, ”in case watchful eyes might be directed this way.”

I obeyed, and tried to make out the glint of steel or the white garments of the rebels. But nothing was to be seen but the glaring suns.h.i.+ne bathing the trees which overhung the cottages. Not a soul was in sight.

”They can't be there,” I said, after watching for some time.

”They are there,” replied Brace, quietly. ”Look under that tree, the one with a couple more standing out from it at intervals. Tell me what you can see.”

I looked as well as the glare of the sun and the distance would allow me.

”I can only see a cottage,” I said.

”It is not a cottage; it is a tent.”

”But surely they would not stop at a place like that.”

”Why not?” he replied. ”They have something to do now that they have seized the guns--to manage them.”

”Then you think they have stopped there to drill?” I cried.

”I fancy so; but we shall see after the reconnaissance to-night.”

”Whom shall you send?” I cried eagerly. ”Let me go.”

”It is too important a task to trust to another,” he replied. ”I am going myself. You can go with me if you like.”

I eagerly s.n.a.t.c.hed at the opportunity, and then sat down with him near the edge of the jungle patch to watch the village and note everything that pa.s.sed. In the course of conversation Brace told me that the doctor would also start on his expedition at dark, Dost accompanying him to the lane in the city, where he could attend to the major's wounds and learn whether there was any news of the women.

Brace kept on chatting to me; but I soon found out that it was to keep down his excitement, and his mind employed, so that he should not dwell upon the terrible enforced delay; for quite a fever was consuming him, his eyes looked unnaturally bright, and his fingers kept twitching and playing with the handle of his sword.

That night seemed as if it would never come, and I never suffered so from the heat; but it came at last, and, almost before I realised it, Brace was giving the doctor his final instructions and a message for the major.