“And what’s the good of your knowing when you won’t be able to tell us?”
“You mean I should be killed at a blow, and not be able to come back and say what I had seen?”
“Of course, sir.”
“Ah, well!” said Stan bitterly, “that wouldn’t matter. If you didn’t hear me cry out, you’d know you were right by my not coming back. Now then, lend me another pistol, and I’ll rush up at once.”
The lieutenant glanced round at those who were with him, and then stepped before the lad.
“You’re not going to run such a risk, sir,” he said.
“What! Who’s going to stop me?”
“I am, sir; and the rest are going to help me.”
“Mr Blunt put me in command, for all of you to obey me.”
“Yes, sir, to defend the place—fight for it with us.”