All these thoughts flashed through the young reporter’s mind in a minute, and they were followed by another.
“Was he not under orders as well as the boys of the 50th? Did not his duty order him to make an effort to warn them of their danger? Of course it did; and the orders of duty, when given as plainly as in this case, ought to be obeyed as promptly as those of a city editor. What a splendid thing it would be, too, if he only could get there in time! It was certainly worth trying for, and he would make the attempt.”
Stepping softly from his bed he went to the window. What was to hinder him from leaving the cabin this way? One leg was already over the sill, and the other was about to follow, when a deep growl from just beneath the window caused him to hurriedly draw back. Tige was on guard.
Then Myles listened at the door. The men were still talking. Why not walk boldly out and announce his intended departure? No, that would never do. They might take it into their heads to stop him, and they were three to one.
The sound of moving chairs sent him flying back to the bed, where, to all appearances, he was instantly fast asleep.
“Well, Bill, it’s time for us to be off,” said one of the men. “Trot out your stuff and let us make a start.”
“There isn’t another drop in the house,” answered Bill, “and I reckon you’ll have to go up to the still with me and get it.”
“All right; but you’d better take a look at that young feller in the other room first.”