If we had only a scout--".
"What about Shalah ?" I asked.
"Can you spare him ?" he replied; and I knew I could not.
"I see nothing for it," I said, "but to wait till we are ready, and then to make a reconnaissance, trusting to be in time.

This is the first week of July.

In another fortnight every man on our list will be armed, and every line of communication laid.

Then is our chance to make a bid for news." He nodded, and at that moment came the growling of dogs from the sheds.
Instantly his face lost its heavy preoccupation, and under his Quaker's mask became the mischievous countenance of a boy.

"That's your friends," he said.