Lawrence flew as far as the bridge; it seemed useless to go farther. He had seen what he had expected to see: a vast and overwhelming force. But he had obtained no definite clue to the meaning of the captive officer’s vague hint of a master stroke. That the enemy had a crushing superiority in numbers he had known all along: there was nothing to indicate that they had anything more than the advantage of numbers still. The presence of their general might act as a stimulus; but the nature of the position precluded any marked change in their mode of operations. It was essentially a position that could be won only by dogged, unfaltering determination: the issue depended on the fighting man, not on the tactician. Perhaps if Lawrence had continued his flight to the plain on which the main army was encamped, he or Fazl might have noticed one slight change since his former visit in Major Endicott’s company. A field telegraph had been laid down, stretching away to the north. This might well have escaped his observation from the great altitude to which he must of necessity have risen. Even if he had seen it, probably it would have suggested nothing more than one of the ordinary accompaniments of an army in the field. Yet that single wire was the clue to the Kalmuck’s cryptic warning. On returning to the mine his report to Bob was necessarily disappointing. It was clear that everything still depended on blocking the enemy’s advance. If they could once establish themselves on the southern side of the bend, and bring their guns to bear directly on the compounds, a few hours’ bombardment would render the place untenable: it would be the beginning of the end. Against it the garrison were almost helpless. They had only ten rounds of ammunition for the captured field gun; and though the machine gun was in better case, not even the bravest of men--and Gur Buksh was that--could for long work his gun under the deadly fire of a whole park of artillery. "Is there any possible way of strengthening our breastwork?" asked Lawrence, as with sinking hearts they discussed the situation. "We can erect a second rampart in the night," suggested Bob. "It would take them a little longer to knock to pieces, and give us time. Every minute gained is valuable. You see, they can’t bring their guns into direct line with the mine until they’ve driven us away, they can’t do that without charging, and they can’t charge without ceasing fire temporarily." "Yes, I see that, but with four or five field guns at work they’ll soon smash even a double breastwork, and then the way’s clear for a charge. I wish I had bombed their guns now." "You can do it to-morrow morning. I don’t want to spend our last dynamite till absolutely the last moment. To-morrow’s the seventh day. If the Chief has been able to keep his word we shall be reinforced some time during the day, and then----" "You say ’if.’ There’s a doubt about it, isn’t there? I’ve felt it all along."