“And with only these two orderlies by way of a body guard?——”
“Just as you see.”
“I strongly advise you not to do so. The road is certainly very unsafe,” said Major O’Neale.
“It is the road you have just passed?”
“Yes.”
“And you saw nothing of these reported guerrillas?”
“No—not a hair! But then they would not be apt to show themselves to a force like ours. But you and your two orderlies, Colonel, would be a great temptation to them. If I might do so, I should strongly urge you not to go forward, but to turn back with us!”
“I am ordered to proceed to W. immediately to take command of my regiment, and I must go on,” said Colonel Rosenthal, decisively.
“Then allow me to detail a portion of my men to guard you on your way, Colonel.”
“Not on any account. It would be very unwise for you to do so; for the withdrawal of such a number of your men as could be of any sort of use to me, in case of an encounter with Monck, would so weaken your force as to leave it liable to capture. No, I must go on with my boys and trust to Providence,” said Colonel Rosenthal.