"Tails it is! Your luck is out. Fate has more respect for turns than you. I'll go this very night."
"You will want John as interpreter."
"It's a pity to reduce the garrison by two rifles, but I'm afraid it can't be helped."
"And you had better take one of B Company as guide. They are no good with the rifle. I'll get John to choose a man."
"There's one advantage to you—you'll have three fewer mouths to feed. We'll only take a little with us, and trust to chance to pick up more on the way, if we need it."
"You must wait till the moon sets. That will be rather late to-night."
"Yes. You'll let us down over the wall on the north-east, towards that clump of trees you mentioned. There's apparently no danger there, and we'll soon be under cover."
"The idea is to bring back reinforcements, of course. They must carry their own supplies. I don't think much of your chances, but I'm sure it's worth trying."
"Whether we succeed or fail, we'll come back by night. We must arrange a signal, so that you don't pot us by mistake."
"John imitates the jackal's cry to the life. If I hear three barks in quick succession, I shall know it's you."