The lad was silent for a few minutes, and then went on:
“Yes, ’tis a bit risky, sir, for the niggers are as thick as thieves all down that way; but you and me always did like a lark with a bit of spice in it—when we was boys; and that ain’t much more than a month or two ago, sir. I should just like to get them cartridges; shouldn’t you?”
“Yes, Pete, dearly; and it might be the saving of a good many lives.”
“To be sure it would, sir.”
“But it would be like acting in defiance of orders if we were to attempt such a thing.”
“Well, if you look at it like that, sir, I suppose it would. And the Major would never forgive us—if we didn’t get them.”
“No,” said Archie, “But if we did.”
“Yes, Pete, if we did he’d shut his eyes to our breach of orders.”
“Well, sir, we always did like a bit of spice, as I said just now—just a bit of risk over a lark; and this is only like a serious lark to do a lot of good as well as giving us a bit of fun. I’m game, sir, if you are.”
Archie was silent for a few moments, and then he said slowly: