“Leave your gun; take these pistols. Ha! you have a pair in the holsters. See if they are loaded. These spurs—so—cut loose that heavy piece from the saddle: the cloak, too; you must have nothing to encumber you. When you come near the camp, leave your horse in the chaparral. Give this to Colonel C.”
I wrote the following words on a scrap of paper:—
“Dear Colonel,
“Two hundred will be enough. Could they be stolen out after night? If so, all will be well—if it gets abroad...
“Yours,
“H.H.”
As I handed the paper to Raoul, I whispered in his ear—
“To Colonel C’s own hand. Privately, Raoul—privately, do you hear?”
Colonel C. was my friend, and I knew that he would send a private party to my rescue.
“I understand, Captain,” was the answer of Raoul.