“My dear sir, you are giving reins to your imagination. They are well on the way now to their homes.”
“Perhaps so,” said the Resident in a low, nervous tone; “but suppose they have made a halt and are only waiting till their scouts have announced to them that we are quite unprepared?”
“You are assuming, my dear Dallas, that those two princes are working hand and glove.”
“Well, you are quite of my way of thinking over that.”
“Humph! No,” said the Major. “I am beginning to think that our lavender-gloved young friend means well by us.”
“Lavender-gloved young friend!” said the Resident. “Who knows but those soft kid gloves may not be worn to cover the tiger’s claws?”
“Ah! who knows, my dear Dallas? But it is enough for us to know that if we can produce such an effect with blank cartridge and a sham charge, we have it in our power to protect the station and defend the honour of those we love, by using ball-cartridge and sending our bayonets home.”