"Here you are imprisoned. You must fight to the end. There can be no question of surrender."
"We do not think of surrender," said the other. "We mean to escape by the way you came. We mean to escape to-night."
The Black Dog shook his head.
"That will not be so easy," he made answer. "The Germans are receiving reinforcements; another column is advancing from the south. The bush swarms with their reconnoitring-parties and patrols. Moreover, guns are approaching up the valley, and may be here at any moment. I speak the truth. Remember, at some risk I have come here of my own accord."
He spoke slowly, as if choosing his words with care; but his English accent was singularly good.
"You have not yet told us," said Harry Urquhart, "why you have come."
"You are short of ammunition," answered the sheikh.
"How do you know that?"
"For five days I have listened to every shot."
"You have not yet explained," said Harry.