"But in our service, therefore Germans. Also a number of natives who were being recruited for our army--potential Germans. Now, since it is obvious that you cannot maintain your position indefinitely, you will no doubt see the reasonableness of the proposal I put to you, namely, that you surrender the German subjects you hold as prisoners, in exchange for a safe-conduct for yourself and any twelve men you may select, to the British lines." "And the rest? Besides the men, I have many women and children. What will you do with them?" "That will be in the discretion of my superiors. The non-combatants will no doubt return to their employment, from which they were enticed away. As for the able-bodied men, technically they are mutineers and liable to be shot. But in consideration of their ignorance they may possibly be pardoned and allowed to re-enlist." "It is hardly a _quid pro quo_, is it?" said Tom. "You must be aware that I could at any time during the past two or three months have made my way to the British lines with all my able-bodied men without a safe-conduct. You propose that I should save my skin at the expense of handing back those poor creatures to the slavery they have been glad to escape from?" "What are the niggers to you, Mr. Willoughby? The war, _ipso facto_, has dissolved your partnership with Mr. Reinecke. Your interest in the plantation and its workers has lapsed." "Far from it: my interest in the workers is greater than ever. I enticed them away, you say; and believing that, you invite me to betray them! Upon my word, Major von Rudenheim, those who sent you with an invitation like that must have so low a standard of honour that I should prefer not to trust to any assurances on their part." "You impeach my honour, sir?" cried the German, with an angry glare. "I take it that you are obeying orders, Major," replied Tom, quietly. "Those niggers, as you call them, are under my protection: I say that any one who proposes that I should abandon them on the terms you offer holds _my_ honour very lightly. I don’t think there is anything more to be said." "Only this, sir. You reject a reasonable offer: I have not stated the alternative. The niggers are under your protection! It will not serve them. They will be exterminated, and you----" "Yes?" The major laughed. "You will fall--on the field of honour!" he said with a sneer, "or be captured and shot." And with that he turned on his heel and strode off at the head of his men. CHAPTER XVIII--A GOOD HAUL