The Major was the first to speak.
"Well, Captain Forster, as we have just agreed that our only chance
is to obtain aid from one of the stations, and as you are the only
volunteer for the service, I do not see that I can decline to accept
your offer. At which station do you think you would be most likely
to find a force that could help us?"
"I should say Lucknow, Major. If help is to be obtained anywhere,
I should say it was there."
"Yes, I think that is the most hopeful. You will start at once; I
suppose the sooner the better."
"As soon as they are fairly asleep; say twelve o'clock."
"Very well. I will go and write a dispatch for you to carry, giving
an account of the fix we are in here. How will you sally out?"
"I should think the easiest plan would be to make a gap in the
sandbags in the breach, lead the horse till fairly outside, and
then mount."
"I think you had better take a spare horse with you," the Doctor
said; "it will make a difference if you are chased, if you can
change from one to the other. Bathurst told me to say whoever went
could have his horse, which is a long way the best in the station.
I should fancy as good as your own."
"I don't know," Forster said; "led horses are a nuisance; still, as
you say, it might come in useful, if it is only to loose and turn
down a side road, and so puzzle anyone who may be after you in the
dark."
The Major and Forster left the roof together.
"Well, that is a rum go," Wilson said.
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