Judging that they would be safe for another hour at least, the two Englishmen ordered food to be prepared. They anticipated that the crisis would come with the sunset, and strength must be kept up.
"What are you grinning at?" asked Tynan, as they sat cross-legged over the meal.
"I was thinking what a rummy go it is," Ted replied, "that we two of all the officers should be here together. We haven't been friends, Tynan, but if ever we get out of this hole I hope we will be. And if we don't get out, I trust we can die without any bad feeling between us. Shake hands on it, old chap."
Tynan leant forward to meet the proffered hand.
"All right, Russell! I'm agreeable. It ain't my fault that we've not been friends."
This was not a very gracious speech, and Ted's ardour was damped. He shook hands, however, saying:
"Right! But look here, you mustn't forget that I'm senior officer here. You've been giving orders pretty freely."
"Because you didn't seem ready with any suggestions."
"It's my turn now, remember," Tynan asserted in an aggrieved tone; and Ted felt sorry he had spoken, as the other seemed incapable of sinking his personal feelings even at such a time. Unless his senior officer showed more sign of rising to the occasion, he determined to continue to issue orders.
Though the magazine at Aurungpore was not a large one, its capture would prove an enormous boon to the rebel cause, for therein was stored a quantity of ammunition and material of war. Armed therewith, all the rabble of the town would soon be equipped as soldiers, and our ensign understood what would then become of his friends and comrades, and above all of his brother's sweetheart. A shiver ran down his spine as he remembered Jim's parting whisper, and there rose before him the picture of the girl who had saved his life and whom he secretly adored. He vowed to do his duty manfully, and never to despair while there remained the least hope of preventing the ravening wolves outside from gaining access to the stores.
"What the deuce are you up to now?" Tynan broke in.
The senior ensign had been regarding the junior's meditations with considerable curiosity, wondering how he could become so absorbed at so critical a time. His query had been called forth by a sudden change of expression that had overspread his comrade's features. Ted's eyes had opened wide, and he had given an almost imperceptible gasp, sure signs that some startling idea had come upon him unawares.