As he spoke a man went down within five yards of where he stood. He was
shot clean through the head.
'It's Standish,' said Ken. And then, on the spur of the moment,--
'Sergeant, couldn't some of us go and clear them out?'
There was a moment's pause broken only by the intermittent crackle of
firing from above.
'Who was that spoke?' demanded Colonel Conway.
'I, sir,' answered Ken, saluting. 'Carrington.'
'Aren't you the man who knows this country?'
'I have been in the Peninsula before, sir.'
'Hm, and do you think you could find those snipers?'
'I do, sir.' Ken spoke very quietly, but inwardly he was trembling with
eagerness. Was it possible that his impulsive remark was going to be taken
up in earnest?
The colonel spoke in a whisper to O'Brien, and the sergeant answered. Then
he turned to Ken.
'You may pick three men and try it. You'll have to stalk them, of course.
If you can't reach them come back. No one will think any the worse of you
if you fail.'
'Thank you, sir,' said Ken, his heart almost bursting with gratitude.
Pages:
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54