“Not look down-hearted,” cried Ali, passionately, “how can I look otherwise? Where is my father? Where are our friends? What is my position here? Do you think it gives me pleasure to see the poor brave men who are fighting against you shot down by your guns? It makes me wretched.”
“Well, never mind,” cried Bob, kindly, as he rose and clapped the young chief on the shoulder. “It will all come right in the end.”
“I hope so,” said Ali; “but tell me, what have you decided to do?”
“Well, that’s announcing the secrets of the council of war,” said Bob. “Shall I tell him, Long?”
“Oh, yes, we can trust him,” replied the ensign. “We are going to stay and fight it out.”
“Of course, of course,” said Ali, nodding. “You could not give up. You must not give up.”
“But we want to get some news of the expedition party by sending a trustworthy spy,” said Bob. “Can you get us a man whom you can trust?”
Ali stood thinking for a few moments, and then shook his head sadly.
“They would all say the risk is too great. They would lose their lives if discovered.”
“Then what is to be done?” cried Bob.