"He's as clever a young chap as ever I run against," said the sergeant, who, like a good many more people, fervently admired those who thought the same as he. "But what puzzles me more and more every day is how such a chap as him should come to be a common soldier. He's a gentleman, every inch of him. Why, didn't they get him to talk to the French officers when we landed at Ceylon, and the French frigate was there? and my word, how he did jabber away! He might have been a real mounseer. Well, 'taint no business of mine; so long as he gets his accoutrements clean, and a good coating of pipeclay on his belts, that's enough for me. I only wish there was more Grays and not so many Sims in the company." Meanwhile Adam Gray was on his way to the far side of the fort, very quiet and thoughtful as he made his plans, the first part of which was to go quietly to the edge of the earthwork, wait for his opportunity, and drop into the dry ditch, from which he hoped to crawl unperceived to the cover of the trees, about a hundred yards away. The rest, he felt, must be left to chance. As he reached the side he met Ensign Long, who came up to him, and to his great surprise shook hands. "Captain Smithers has told me of your mission, Gray," he said; "I wish you every success." "But you don't think, sir, that I shall succeed, and this is a friendly good-bye," said Gray, smiling. "Well I--that is--I--'pon my word, Gray, you just hit what I was thinking about. You see I had such a narrow escape of it myself, that I couldn't help thinking of something of the kind." "You tried it openly, sir; I'm going to try and steal a march upon the Malays." "What, are you going over here?" said the ensign. "Yes, sir, and there's a good opening now," said Gray, after a sharp look round. "Good-bye, sir; wish me luck." As he spoke he glided as it were over the edge of the earthwork, and let himself roll into the ditch, whence he made his way to the edge on the other side, Ensign Long bidding the two nearest men cover the messenger with their rifles as long as he was in sight. That was not for long, Gray crawling rapidly over the ground; and as those who watched scanned every shrub and tree for an enemy, they saw him reach the edge of the jungle and disappear. It was into no haven of safety though that Gray had passed, for he had not gone twenty yards into the shadowy gloom, which was comparatively cool after the scorching sunshine in the opening that had been cleared of trees, before he heard voices on his left, and he had barely time to crouch down among the long grass before half-a-dozen Malays came along, one of whom saw the pressed down undergrowth and began to examine it curiously. Another moment and he would have seen Gray, whose hand was thrust into his breast, but a word from one of his companions took off his attention, and he disappeared with them amongst the trees.