“What is this you tell me?” he gasped. “Can it be true?”
Guy repeated his account, with all the particulars, but the governor actually seemed incredulous.
“Colonel Carrington,” he cried, “how many troops have we?”
“Five companies of the Bombay Infantry,” replied the colonel in a hollow tone. “We had six yesterday, but if this account be true——”
“Don’t delay a moment,” shouted Sir Arthur; “prepare for the defense, colonel, and see that the steamer is ready in case it comes to the worst.”
The governor’s condition was now truly pitiable. He was trembling with fright.
“There is indeed but little time,” said Guy. “There is danger at your very door. I see many Arabs and Somalis in the town.”
“True, true,” groaned Sir Arthur, and, turning over the despatches with trembling hands, he added, “I am instructed to order troops from Cairo and Suakim. What madness! What madness!”
Sir Arthur continued to talk in a rambling, excited way until Colonel Carrington assumed control of affairs.
“Your steamer is here now?” he said to the captain. “Then you must make haste to Aden, and bring us what troops you can. I doubt, though, if we can resist a heavy attack for twenty-four hours. And you, gentlemen, you will return on the steamer?”