“And the job is how to get them,” he continued, thoughtfully.
I nodded again.
“I’ve got nothing to do but lie here and think. I’ll see if I can’t scheme a way. It can only be done by a trick.”
“I’m afraid not,” I said.
“Only to think of Ny Deen turning out to be a big rajah, sir. Well, he always seemed a curious sort of fellow to me. He’s a clever one, that’s certain and the captain has his work cut out to deal with a fox of that kind. He will not fight, and he will be off if you show yourselves. He’ll wait till he has drilled his fellows into being smart with the guns and till then you’ll get no fight out of him. Why, Mr Vincent, that man will do no end of mischief by-and-by with the guns. How would it be to—”
“Eh? Come, come, my man, this will not do,” said the doctor, walking up. “You’re getting hot and feverish. There, put away that pipe, and have a good long sleep.”
“Let me say one word, sir, please,” pleaded Craig.
“Quick, then. What is it?” and as I leaned eagerly forward to hear what plan he had to propose, Craig said quietly—
“I’m a bit in doubt about my bearers, sir. There’s a good deal of whispering going on. They know that we are near their friends, and if they communicate it may mean mischief, or else another long weary tramp, for the enemy will retreat.”
“Yes, I’ll tell Captain Brace,” I said; and I went away meaning to ask Craig his plan the next day.