“I know it’s possible, sir,” said Fitz eagerly. “I’ve done it more than once when the canal was low, and it’ll be easier now that the bricks are so much washed away. And of course we shall be very careful in crossing the irrigated land--all of us in khaki, you see, and taking advantage of every bit of cover--and unless we run right into one of the enemy’s outposts, I don’t see how they are to spot us. And think of the benefit it will be to have their attention distracted from your movement!” “You realise that you are taking your lives in your hands? You will probably have to swim the canal higher up to join us, and, after all, we may not be able to wait for you. Your men will be volunteers, of course? They must understand that it’s a desperate business.” “Yes, sir; but they’ll come like a shot. They’ve been out with us after _markhor_, and we’ve been in some tight places in the mountains. May we have what rockets we want?” “By all means. Good luck go with you! I wish I was coming too!” “That’s really handsome of the C.O.,” said Fitz, dodging a bullet as he clattered down the stairs into the courtyard with Winlock. “Grand firework display to-night! What a pity that the ladies and all the refugees can’t have front seats on the ramparts to watch the _tamasha_!” CHAPTER XVI. THE DARKEST HOUR. “Sahib, there is a man under the wall on the east side.” “How did he come there?” demanded Colonel Graham angrily. “What are the sentries doing?” “The night is so dark, sahib, that he crept up unnoticed. He is the holy mullah Aziz-ud-Din, and desires speech with your honour.” “The Amir’s mullah? You are sure of it?” “I know his voice, sahib. He is holding his hands on high, to show that he has no weapons.” “I suppose we may as well see what he has to say,” said the Colonel to Mr Burgrave, with whom he had been making final arrangements, and the two men climbed the steps to the east rampart. Once there, and looking over into the darkness, it was some little time before their eyes could distinguish the dim figure at the foot of the wall. “Peace!” said Colonel Graham.