There was silence for a few minutes, and the two lads sat gazing out of the window.
“Extra quiet this afternoon, ain’t they, sir?” said Peter. “Think it means that they are making up some fresh dodge to wake us up?”
“I don’t know, Pete,” said Archie sadly. “You ought to be able to bring that fellow down,” he added, pointing.
“Yes, I could cripple him, easy, sir, though it is rather a long shot.”
“Then why don’t you fire?”
“Only got two cartridges left, sir,” replied the lad, looking at the speaker wistfully.
“Cartridges!” said Archie, starting. “That’s what I came to talk to you about.”
“Go it, then, sir, please, for there’s nothing I should like better to hear.—Hooray!” ejaculated Peter softly, as Archie related what had occurred. “Talk about corn in Egypt, sir! Well, we must have them.”
“The Major won’t let us go, Pete.”
“No, sir, I suppose not. Says it’s too risky.”