"I'll help you, if you like," went on Joe, with the same outwardly unconcerned manner.
"Can you? How?"
"Very easy to pass lines. You put on Tartar clothes same as that old man go to you to-day. He live near Tchorgaun; he take you right into middle of Russian camp."
"When can he start?" asked McKay eagerly, accepting without hesitation all the risks of this perilous undertaking.
"To-night, if you choose. Come down here by-and-by; I have everything ready."
McKay agreed, and returned to headquarters in all haste, where he sought out his chief and confided to him his intentions.
"You are really prepared to penetrate the enemy's lines? It will be a daring, dangerous job, McKay. I should be wrong to encourage you."
"It is of vital importance, you say, that we should really know what the enemy is doing beyond the Tchernaya. I am quite ready to go, sir."
"Lord Raglan—all of us—indeed, will be greatly indebted to you if you can find out. But I do not like this idea of the disguise, McKay. You ought not to go under false colours."
"I should probably learn more."