The General smiled.
“No,” he replied; “all through the night scouts and natives have been coming in, and in general from different sources one has a great variety of news; but in this case, coming from parts widely asunder, I get the same announcement. Stung by the defeat I have given them and the loss of their convoy and big guns, they have been collecting in great force, evidently to try and surround me in turn and recover all they have lost.”
“Then we had better make a dash for it at once, sir, before the way is completely closed,” said West.
“The way is completely closed, young man,” said the General gravely. “East, west, north, and south, there are strong commandos with guns, and there is only one way open for you.”
“And that is?” said West excitedly, for the General had stopped.
“By going nearly due west, and cutting your way through.”
“Cutting our way through!” said West blankly, and he turned to look at Ingleborough for an explanation, but the latter only shrugged his shoulders.
“Ah, you are both puzzled!” said the General, smiling. “You want to know how you are to cut your way through! I’ll tell you: by keeping with me and letting my fellows clear the road for you!”
“But—” began West.
“There is no ‘but’ in the matter, sir,” said the General. “You are both willing messengers; but you cannot do impossibilities. If you go on in your own way you will be either shot down or captured, and in either case your despatches will fall into the enemy’s hands.”