me,
and I always thought that he would turn out a bad one. I'm the culprit,
but he means to let me alone and to take all the change out of you!
That's all--only don't give him a chance!"

"Not I; but we shall not see much more of him, I suppose."

"What? There'll be a trial in a day or two, and I've got a pill for my
gentleman."

"What do you mean--not a lead pill?"

"Tchah! Nonsense. I mean to ask for the scoundrel's wagon to be
searched. I was afraid they would let him go back to it."

"The wagon? Of course," said West thoughtfully. "I had forgotten
that."

The young men's eyes met as if they were trying to read each other's
thoughts; but no more was said then, and the next morning West and
Ingleborough were summoned to the General's wagon.

"Good morning," said the officer sharply. "Your despatches are, of
course, very important, and it is urgent that they should be delivered
at once?"

"Yes, sir," said West eagerly. "Then we may go on at once?"

The General smiled.

"No," he replied; "all through the night scouts and natives have been
coming in, and in general from different sources one has a great variety
of news; but in this case, coming from parts widely asunder, I get the
same announcement. Stung by the defeat I have given them and the loss
of their convoy and big guns, they have been collecting in great force,
evidently to try and surround me in turn and recover all they have
lost."

"Then we had better make a dash for it at once, sir, before the way is
completely closed," said West.

"The way is completely closed, young man," said the General gravely.
"East, west, north, and south, there are strong commandos with guns, and
there is only one way open for you."

"And that is?" said West excitedly, for the General had stopped.

"By going nearly due west, and cutting your way through."

"Cutting our way through!" said West blankly, and he turned to look at
Ingleborough for an explanation, but the latter only shrugged his
shoulders.

"Ah, you are both puzzled!" said the General, smiling. "You want to
know how you are to cut your way through! I'll tell you: by keeping
with me and letting my fellows clear the road for you!"

"But--" began West.

"There is no `but' in the matter, sir," said the General. "You are both
willing messengers; but you cannot do impossibilities. If you go on in
your own way you will be either shot down or captured, and in either
case your despatches will