Then our commander explained that it would be unwise to go for the powder with such a large company, and announced that since we could not settle the matter among ourselves, he would be forced to decide for us.
"We will begin with William Husband and count from one to five in regular order," he said at length. "Every fifth man is to fall out of line and make immediate preparations for a forced march."
Sidney was standing by my side, and, fearing lest one should be taken and the other left, I whispered hurriedly to him:
"Move up until you are the fifth from me, and then if one goes the other will be with him. I would be as sad to leave you behind, as you would to see me stay in case you drew the lucky number."
He agreed at once, for Sidney was a true comrade in every sense of the word, and hardly had he taken up a new position when Master Husband began the count.
My breath came thick and fast as the numbers sounded nearer and nearer, so fearful was I lest the number should doom me to stay in camp when glory might be earned, and I had so worked myself into a fever that when the man standing next beside me spoke the word "four," it was almost impossible for me to add the next number.
I fell out of line silently, and one of those who had been selected to remain behind, thinking I was afraid to venture on the enterprise, whispered eagerly:
"I'll swap my new saddle for your old one, if you'll give me your chance."
"I'd not consent if you threw into the bargain the best horse in the company," I replied, and an instant later Sidney and I were shaking hands vigorously in token of delight because of our good fortune.
It can well be supposed that we were not many moments making ready for the expedition, and when we came to the center of the encampment, where the lucky ones were assembling, it was learned that Master Rednap Howell had been selected as the leader of our party.