He went at a walk, but before he had gone fifty
paces there was a sharp challenge, followed almost instantly by a
rifle shot, then came the crack of a revolver and the rapid beat
of galloping hoofs. Loud shouts were heard, and musket shots fired
in rapid succession.
"They are not likely to have hit him in the dark," the Major said,
as he climbed back over the sandbags; "but they may hit his horses,
which would be just as fatal."
Leaving two sentries--the one just outside the breach near the
wall, the other on the sandbags--the rest of the party hurried up
on the roof. Shots were still being fired, and there was a confused
sound of shouting; then a cavalry trumpet rang out sharply, and
presently three shots fired in quick succession came upon the air.
"That is the signal agreed on," the Major said: "he is safely beyond
their lines. Now it is a question of riding; some of the cavalry
will be in pursuit of him before many minutes are over."
Forster's adieus had been brief. He had busied himself up to the
last moment in looking to the saddling of the two horses, and had
only gone into the house and said goodby to the ladies just when
it was time to start. He had said a few hopeful words as to the
success of the mission, but it had evidently needed an effort for
him to do so. He had no opportunity of speaking a word apart with
Isobel, and he shook her hand silently when it came to her turn.
"I should not have given him credit for so much feeling," Mrs.
Pages:
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378