“Yes, sir. That man, Caesar—we have him to thank for showing us how to utilise the water-tanks.”
“Yes, and the underground supplies,” said the lieutenant.
“And the whereabouts of the warehouses; otherwise we should have been starved out.”
“Yes, Mr Murray; we have been pretty fortunate, and I think we should have been able to hold out if it were not for one thing.”
“Should have been, sir?”
“Yes, of course, my lad. You see, I should have contented myself with having remained standing upon the defensive until the captain came to our help, though I should strongly have advocated a sally and the cutting of the way to the sloop so as to receive the help of the doctor for poor Mr Roberts—Eh? What were you going to observe?”
“That I venture to think that it would be the wisest plan in any case, sir.”
“No, not in any case, Mr Murray. You see, our position is a very serious one.”
“I don’t think the men think so, sir.”
“Eh? Do you think that they take a rosy view of it?”