“Well, I don’t know really,” said my messmate teasingly; “something to say, I suppose.”
“Don’t chaff a fellow,” I cried, “but let the cat out of the bag as quickly as you can.”
“‘Let slip the dogs of war’ would be a more appropriate expression,” said Fitzgerald. “I’m going to try to make a drawing of the brigade marching through a Cuban forest, and I’ll put you in the foreground with a drawn sword in your hand and a disdainful look upon your noble brow.” And so saying he drew a sketch-book out of his pocket.
But at this moment I saw Mr. Thompson beckoning to me, so giving Fitz a sly dig in the ribs with the hilt of my sword, I ran off in the gunnery lieutenant’s direction as fast as I could put my feet to the ground.
“Some more spies have come in, Mr. Darcy, and they report that there is a small party of the enemy encamped in a ravine about two miles from here. The spies think there are caves in the neighbourhood, and that this body of mutineers or insurgents may be guarding the booty. It’s rather an inaccessible place, and the spies themselves only came upon it by accident. Mr. Triggs is going to take command of a scouting party, and will reconnoitre the enemy’s position. If necessary he will attack it, and then rejoin the main body in the evening at a camping-ground well known to all the guides, and where we shall bivouac for the night. I wish you to join this force as second in command, for I know that I can trust you to do your duty.”
My joy was unbounded. I was not only delighted at the prospect of an adventure, but was proud to find that my commanding officer had confidence in me.
The brigade was halted, and a small force of twenty picked men was told off for Mr. Triggs’s expedition. Amongst them I was glad to find Ned Burton.
One of the spies who had brought the news was selected as guide, and away we went in the highest spirits, every one in the main body wishing us good-luck and a speedy reunion.
CHAPTER X.
A PERILOUS ADVENTURE.
Under the guidance of the native spy, whose name was Sancho, we left the rude cart-road we had been following, and bearing to the left descended a gentle slope rather thickly studded with trees. In two minutes we had lost sight of the main body, and felt that we were entirely dependent upon our own resources, and about to embark upon what might turn out to be a perilous adventure. I was in the highest spirits, for I perfectly revelled in this sort of independent enterprise. There was a mystery; a chance of discovering hidden booty; a tangled skein to be unravelled. That was quite enough for an adventurous boy of my age.