Gil the Gunner Part 38

"Oh no," I said hastily; "it was not I. It was poor Craig. He thought of it the day before yesterday, but I only got to know of it this morning."

"I wish it had been you," said Brace. "But never mind; it is glorious.

Craig will have saved us and our reputation far more than he thinks for."

"Then he ought to be rewarded," I said.

"Of course!"

"Then you will put the plan in force?"

"Directly, my dear fellow," cried Brace, excitedly. "There, I must be calm, and make my plans."

He stood thinking for a few minutes, and then turned to me.

"Yes," he said, "that will do. Now then; you will take the men, and--"

"Oh no," I cried, "don't send me away. I must be in it, Brace."

He looked at me searchingly.

"It's a daring thing to do," he said. "And you are very young yet, my lad."

"But I brought you the idea."

"Yes; but carrying it out is another thing. Mr Haynes must come."

"Oh no," I cried pa.s.sionately. "It wouldn't be fair to me. Besides, it would be with my horses."

"The Queen's horses for the time being, my boy. Don't you see that it will require strength and dash?"

"Yes; and I feel as if I could dash into it."

"But the risk?"

"Never mind the risk, Brace," I cried excitedly. "Pray, pray, let me be in it."

"Very well," he said--and my heart leaped. "You shall go; but follow my orders to the smallest point, and don't let your excitement get the better of you."

"No; I'll be calm," I said.

"Then there is no time to lose; they will be out soon, this cool pleasant morning."

He took a few steps to one side, and gave the order to the men to fall in.

The men saw that something was on the way, and sprang to their places, when Brace ordered the three horses to be saddled and bridled.

This was quickly done, and by that time, and while they were being tethered to the nearest trees, the men had buckled on their belts, and taken the carbines from their rustic stand among the undergrowth.

Then there was a dead silence, and Brace signed to me, and then marched off Haynes towards the edge of the forest, while I followed.

When we got to the border, and stood by the plain with the rajah's town on our right, and the level extending to the left, till the forest swept round about a mile away, Brace pointed out a spot in the curve of verdure, where some half-dozen large trees towered up.

"You see those, Haynes?" said Brace.

"Yes."

"March all the men to that spot, and form an ambush at the foot of those trees. Be quite ready for us when we join you."

"What are you going to do?"

"Silence, and listen to my orders," said Brace sternly. "You will march the men there in single file by keeping just at the edge of the forest, where it is more open; but the greatest care will be necessary so that you are not seen from the town. If you are, the plan is spoiled."

"Right; I'll be careful. I understand. When am I to attack?"

"When I or Vincent give the word. You ought to be at that spot in less than an hour, in spite of dense growth."

"Yes; I'll be there."

"Keep your men hidden, and whatever you see take place, don't stir, even if we are taken prisoners."

"Well--I'll obey orders, sir."

"That is good. Now then, back to your men; and, mind, it is of vital importance that you carry out my orders to the smallest item."

"You may trust me," said Haynes, quietly; and it was the soldier speaking now to his superior. The friendly, easy-going ways of brother-officers were gone, and we stood together watching him till he disappeared among the trees.

For a few moments Brace made no movement, but stood as if plunged in thought. Then, turning suddenly, he moved to the very edge of the forest, and leaning forward gazed intently at the town, whose houses looked bright in the morning sun, and among which were throngs of white-clothed people emerging here and there. We could see the guns too glistening in the sun, but no sign of armed men excepting the sentries, whose swords glittered as they walked to and fro.

"Why, Gil," said Brace, drawing a long breath, "how satisfied they seem of their safety; a squadron of lancers would capture those guns with ease."

"And we are going to capture them without," I said.

"Hist! what was that?"

"Haynes giving an order to march," I said.

"No; some one coming this way! Well, what is it?" he cried to a man who came on at the double, and saluted.

"The lieutenant, sir," replied the man. "Will you come at once?"

"Something wrong," I heard Brace mutter, as he strode back through the trees to where the men were drawn up with Haynes in front.

"Now, what is it?" said Brace, sharply. "Why are you not gone, sir?"

"I thought it my duty to stop and see if you would change your plans,"

replied Haynes. "The prisoners have escaped."

"What?" cried Brace, excitedly, as he ran his eyes along the men. "Who were on duty?"