“Will you permit me to ride to Allahabad, sir, and tell General Neill how matters stand here?” he said.
Lawrence looked at him as though the request were so fantastic that he had not fully grasped its meaning.
“To Allahabad?” he repeated, turning in the saddle to watch the effect of the first shot fired by the battery.
“Yes, sir,” cried Malcolm, eagerly. “I know the odds are against me, but Hodson rode as far through the enemy’s country only six weeks ago, and I did something of the kind, though not so successfully, when I went from Meerut to Agra and from Agra to Cawnpore.”
“You had an escort, and I can spare not a man.”
“I will go alone, sir.”
“I would gladly avail myself of your offer, but the Residency will be invested in less than an hour.”
“Let me go now, sir. I am well mounted. In the confusion I may be able to reach the open country without being noticed.”
“Go, then, in God’s name, and may your errand prosper, for you have many precious lives in your keeping.”
Lawrence held out his hand, and Malcolm clasped it.