They mean to have us.

I suppose they look upon us as a danger that must be crushed out once and for all." "If they could do it, sir," said Denham.
"They evidently mean to try, Denham," replied the Colonel, with a sigh.
"Some of us will have to bite the dust before this business is over.
There's a fresh commando of quite five hundred men coming up yonder under the sun, and before dark we shall be regularly ringed round." "Well, let them come, sir," said Denham bitterly; "they can't all hit at us at once.

What you said was right." "What I said was right ?" replied the Colonel, staring.

"Why, what did I say ?" "Something about advancing to-night in the darkness; and then, as soon as we were discovered by the outposts, making a gallop for it." "Did I say that ?" "Yes, sir." "Not a bad plan either," said the Colonel, his face wrinkling up.
"No, sir; just the exciting rush I love." "Humph!" said the Colonel.

"Well, gentlemen, we may as well go down." "`Well, gentlemen,'" whispered Denham to me, with a laugh, as soon as he had the opportunity.