Part 52 (1/2)
”I fear we cannot possibly do it. I have already sent warnings by two different ways, but our direct course to R---- is cut off. The enemy holds the mountain pa.s.s, and it is quite impossible for the messengers to reach the place in time.”
Egon was silent for a moment.
The pa.s.s was obstructed by the enemy. He knew that Eschenhagen's regiment was going forward to open it, but that would not be done for a day or two.
”We have thought of everything,” continued the general, ”but there isn't the faintest hope of doing anything. Falkenried will force them to close, he never turns back, and then he and hundreds, yes, thousands, of his men, will perish.”
He began his walk again, too excited to keep still. But the young prince stood by helpless; then a sudden bright thought entered his mind.
”Your excellency?”
”Well?”
”If it were possible in spite of everything, to send the despatches by the mountain path--a good rider could get to R---- by to-morrow morning; to be sure he'd have to ride for life or death--dash right through the enemy.”
”What folly! You are a soldier and should know that such a course would be madness. The boldest rider would be shot down before he had been gone an hour.”
”But if one could find the man who would make the attempt? I know a man who would do it.”
The general scowled at the young man.
”Do you mean that you would venture upon this useless exposure? I forbid it, once for all, Prince Adelsberg. I pride myself upon my officers'
bravery, but I cannot permit any such senseless experiments.”
”I do not mean myself, your excellency,” said Egon, earnestly. ”The man whom I mean is in the seventh regiment, and is at this moment on outpost duty on Chapel mountain. It was he who brought me word of the prisoner.”
The general shook his head thoughtfully.
”I tell you it's impossible, but--who is the man?”
”Joseph Tanner.”
”A private?”
”Yes, a volunteer.”
”You know something about him?”
”Yes, your excellency; he is perhaps the best rider in the whole army,--bold to a fault and capable enough, in case of necessity, to act with the caution of an officer. If the thing can be done, that man'll do it.”
”And you believe--it's a terrible responsibility to ask a man to ride to sure death--you believe the man will do it freely--willingly?”
”I'll swear he will, your excellency.”
”Then I dare not refuse, though it's a fearful venture. I'll send for Tanner at once.”
”May I take the order to him?” interrupted Egon, quickly. The general turned in surprise and looked at him.
”You, yourself, do you mean? Why?”
”Only to save time. The way which Tanner must take lies over Chapel mountain; before he'd get to headquarters and back again to his starting place an hour would be lost.”