“Cut the bottom of the tent, sahib,” he said in the same hard tone, “with this knife, and scrambled through.”
“But they will see the opening, and you will be taken.”
“Yes; they will see it,” he replied, “but you must make the hole larger, and fasten it open. They will think you have cut the tent to make it cool. You are the master here, and can do as you please.”
“Yes; but tell me—Captain Brace?”
“Quite well, sahib.”
“Then he was not beaten and driven away?”
“No, sahib; but the fight went against him and the white colonel. They were obliged to draw back. Their enemies were too many. As fast as they killed, others came to take their place.”
“And Lieutenant Haynes, the doctor, and Sergeant Craig?”
“All well when I left them, sahib. I came away many days ago, and reached here, finding you, after a long, long search. Then I gave you a letter, telling you to be hopeful, for your friends were near, and went away again to tell the captain sahib, and ask him what I should do, for he was waiting to find out whether you were alive, and how we could help you.”
“Yes; and what did he say?” I asked.