blood."

The next minute I was seeking Brace, feeling that I had the guns under
my hands; and so occupied that I did not notice a peculiar fact.

Our prisoners were not in their customary places, though the sentries
were on guard!

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.

Bubbling over with excitement, I was not long in finding Brace, whom I
took aside and told of the plan.

He stood with knitted brows in perfect silence, hearing me to the very
end, and then, feeling chilled and disappointed, I looked into his stern
face, and said--

"Then you don't think it will do?"

He did not speak for a few moments. Then he gripped my wrist with all
his might.

"Gil," he said huskily, "it almost stunned me. The idea is as grand as
it is simple. It is certain of success. My dear boy, what a brain you
have!"

"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 passionately. "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