He is an honorable man; and if he will give his guarantee for
our safety, I would trust him. At any rate, I can but try. If I do
not return, you will know that I am dead, and that no terms can be
obtained, and can then decide when to end it all."
"It is worth the attempt anyhow," the Major said. "I say nothing
about the danger you will run, for no danger can be greater than
that which hangs over us all now."
"Very well, Major, then I will do it at once, but you must not
expect me back until tomorrow night. I can hardly hope to obtain
an interview with Por Sing tonight."
"How will you go out, Bathurst?"
"I will go down at once and break in the roof of the gallery," he
said; "we know they are close round the wall, and I could not hope
to get out through any of the breaches."
"I suppose you are quite convinced that there is no hope of relief
from Lucknow?"
"Quite convinced. I never had any real hope of it; but had there
been a force disposable, it would have started at once if Forster
arrived there with his message, and might have been here by this
time."
"At any rate, we can wait no longer."
"Then we will begin at once," Bathurst said, and, taking a crowbar
and pick from the place where the tools were kept, he lighted the
lamp and went along the gallery, accompanied by the Doctor, who
carried two light bamboo ladders.
"Do you think you will succeed, Bathurst?"
"I am pretty sure of it," he said confidently.
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