“Yes; Chips is right,” said Fitz. “It would be very dangerous unless we could get them on the run. I wouldn’t do that.”
“What would you do, then?” said Poole.
“Well,” said Fitz, “you told me I was not a player, and that it was your game.”
“Yes, but that was before you began peppering the beggars with that double gun.”
“Now, that’s too bad,” cried Fitz petulantly. “There, I’ve done now.”
“No, you haven’t. You have got something on your mind, and if it’s a dodge to help us all out of this mess, you are not the fellow to keep it back. So come; out with it.”
“Well, I’ll tell you what I’ve been thinking,” said Fitz, “almost ever since I heard what that Mr Miguel said about the reinforcements coming from Velova.”
“What, to crush us up?” said Poole. “Enough to make any one think! But what about it?”
“Why, the fort and earthworks will be emptied and all the fighting men on the way to-morrow to come and fight us here.”
“Of course, and they’ll be here some time to-morrow afternoon, and if they don’t beat us they will be going back with sore heads; but I am afraid that those of us who are left will be going back as prisoners. Is that what you meant?”