“Well, let them come, sir,” said Denham bitterly; “they can’t all hit at us at once. What you said was right.”
“What I said was right?” replied the Colonel, staring. “Why, what did I say?”
“Something about advancing to-night in the darkness; and then, as soon as we were discovered by the outposts, making a gallop for it.”
“Did I say that?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Not a bad plan either,” said the Colonel, his face wrinkling up.
“No, sir; just the exciting rush I love.”
“Humph!” said the Colonel. “Well, gentlemen, we may as well go down.”
“‘Well, gentlemen,’” whispered Denham to me, with a laugh, as soon as he had the opportunity. “I say, recruit—private—whatever you call yourself—why don’t you blush?”
No more was said then, as orders were given for every man to make a good meal from his haversack; and as soon as the order was passed along, the men looked at one another and began to whisper.