Part 31 (1/2)
”Last night was dark as pitch.”
”Yes; but there are double lines of sentries about.”
”With sharp eyes too; but there was a commando rode out, evidently to patrol the country and look out for our people.”
”Yes; I heard them ride away.”
”And I heard them come back at daybreak; but I was too lazy to get up.”
”I don't see what you are aiming at,” said West wearily; ”but I suppose you have some good idea--I hope a plausible one.”
”I think it is, old lad,” said Ingleborough, speaking now in a low whisper. ”Suppose when that commando musters after dark--I am supposing that one will go out again to-night--suppose, I say, when it musters we had crept out of the wagon and crawled as far as that one where our ponies are tethered?”
West's hand stole forward to grip his comrade's knee.
”Ah, you're beginning to grasp it!” said Ingleborough. ”Then, as I still have my knife, suppose I cut the reins and we mounted.”
”And joined the muster?” said West, in a hoa.r.s.e whisper.
”It isn't a dragoon troop, with men answering the roll-call and telling off in fours from the right.”
”No, just a crowd!” said West excitedly.
”Exactly! There's only one reason why we shouldn't succeed.”
”What's that?”
”We don't look rough and blackguardly enough.”
”Oh, Ingle, I quite grasp it now!”
”I've been quite aware of that, old lad, for the last minute--that and something else. I don't know what will have happened when the war is over, but at present I don't wear a wooden leg. Oh, my knee! I didn't think your fingers were made of bone.”
”I beg your pardon, old fellow!”
”Don't name it, lad! I'm very glad you have so much energy in you, and proud of my powers of enduring such a vice-like--or say vicious--grip without holloaing out. Next time try your strength on Anson! Why, your fingers would almost go through his fat.”
”Ingle, we must try it to-night.”
”Or the first opportunity.”
”Why didn't you think of that before we lost the despatch?”
”Hah! Why didn't I? Suppose it didn't come!”
West rose and crept to the end of the wagon and looked out.
”The ponies are still there,” he whispered, and then he started violently, for a voice at the other end of the wagon cried: ”Hallo, you two!”
West turned, with his heart sinking, convinced that the man must have heard.