"I’ve those five men you see there, and two of them are wounded. I started with twelve; six were killed. And I almost wish you hadn’t stampeded the enemy’s horses quite so thoroughly. The enemy collared all but three of ours. We killed two for food. On foot we are at a terrible disadvantage. The only thing for me to do is to ride off alone, and trust to luck. One man might get through safely where a party would fail. I know the ground thoroughly. The one thing that bothers me is my wounded. I was going to suggest that my men should make tracks for your mine; they might be of use to you; but the two wounded fellows can’t stand the march." "I see a way out of that," said Lawrence at once. "I can take them in the aeroplane and be back in a couple of hours or so. I should have to leave my Gurkha, but he would come along with your men." "The country’s clear between here and the mine, I suppose?" "Practically; a few Kalmucks got past before we blocked up the path--we blasted the rocks with dynamite. There aren’t more than a dozen, certainly." "Armed?" "Yes, but I fancy they’re without food, and in no condition to tackle your men if they meet. Besides, when I get back I can cover their march: I’ve several bombs left." "Dynamite again, as I saw. Your mine is rather useful. I’ll remain here, then, until you get back, and then leave my men to you." "But, Major, I don’t like to think of you riding alone over ninety or a hundred miles of country that may be overrun by the enemy." "It wouldn’t be the first time one of us has tried it and got through safely. Anyway, I see nothing else for it. This news must be got through to Simla, and while I’m alive I mustn’t be out of the way." "I’ve an idea. Why not march with the men to the mine? Then Bob or I would carry you across country in the aeroplane. You’d lose a day or two to begin with, but after all you’d get to the post quite as soon as on horseback--without any of the dangers." "Aeroplane _perfectly_ safe then?" he said with a quizzical smile. "Well, we’ve had no trouble with it yet, and Bob would take you, I dare say; he’s better at it than I am." "It’s uncommonly good of you to suggest it. How far is your mine from here?" "Something over forty miles." "That means two days’ march at least, in such rugged country and on foot. Well, I’ll close with you. I should like to take stock of the position at your mine. I might make a suggestion, perhaps; and if you or your brother will be good enough to carry me across country, I shall be grateful, and it’ll be useful to Government. How far did you drive those Afghans, by the by?" "Quite six miles, I should think, so you’ll have a good start. Even if they buck up and catch their horses, they won’t get back here before me, and I don’t believe they’ll come back at all. They were pretty thoroughly scared by the bombs."