“Silence in the ranks there!” said a stern voice. “Not a word there! Who’s here?”
“Denham, sir,” replied my companion.
“Then you had better go to the rear. I want trustworthy officers in front during this emergency.”
“Yes, sir,” said Denham bitterly; and he was in the act of falling out from his place when, feeling unable to contain myself, I broke out:
“I beg pardon, sir; it was my fault. I spoke to propose—”
“To propose what?—Silence!”
I was mutinous in my excitement, for I continued:
“To send on this black we have with us right in front. He could get close up to the outposts without being seen.”
I expected a severe rebuke before I had finished; but, to my surprise, the Colonel—for it was he who had ridden up to the front—heard me to the end.
“A black?” he said. “Is he to be trusted?”