And
now, if you will take my rifle for ten minutes, I will go down and
get a cup of tea; I volunteered to take sentry work, but I didn't
bargain for keeping it all night without relief. By the way, I
told Forster of your offer of your horse, and I think he is going
to take it."
"He is welcome to it," Bathurst said carelessly; "it will be of no
use to me."
"Now, look here," the Doctor said shortly; "just put Miss Hannay
out of your head for the present, and attend to the business on
hand. I do not think there is much chance of their trying it on
again tonight, but they may do so, so please to keep a sharp lookout
while I am below."
"I will be careful, Doctor," Bathurst said, with a laugh; but the
Doctor had so little faith in his watchfulness that as soon as he
went below he sent up Wilson to share his guard.
At twelve o'clock the sandbags were removed sufficiently to allow
a horse to pass through, and Forster's and Bathurst's animals
were led out through the breach, their feet having been muffled
with blankets to prevent their striking a stone and arousing the
attention of the enemy's sentinels. Once fairly out the mufflings
were removed and Forster sprang into his saddle.
"Goodby, Major," he said; "I hope I may be back again in eight or
nine days with a squadron of cavalry."
"Goodby, Forster; I hope it may be so. May God protect you!"
The gap in the defenses was closed the instant the horses passed
through, and the men stood in the breach of the wall listening as
Forster rode off.
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