“He can, sir,” cried Punch. “He has got it all in his head like a map.”
“My good boy,” said the officer, biting his lip to add to the severity of his aspect, “if you interrupt again you will be placed under arrest.”
Punch closed his lips so tightly that they formed a thin pink line right across the bottom of his face.
“Now, Private Gray, do you think that you do carry within your recollection a pretty good idea of the face of the country; or to put it more simply and plainly, do you think you could guide a regiment through the passes of this wild country and lead them safely to where you left the French encamped?”
“I have not a doubt but that I could, sir.”
“In the dark?”
“It would be rather harder in the dark, sir,” replied Pen, “but I feel confident that I could.”
“May I take it that you are willing to try?”
“I am the King’s servant, sir, and I will do my best.”
“That’s enough,” said the chief. “You can return to your quarters and hold yourself in readiness to do what I propose, and if you do this successfully—”