'Everything. There is a plot to murder the Queen tomorrow at
dawn. Alphonse here, who has just escaped from Sorais, has overheard
it all,' and I rapidly repeated to him what the Frenchman had
told me.
Curtis' face turned deadly pale and his jaw dropped.
'At dawn,' he gasped, 'and it is now sunset; it dawns before
four and we are nearly a hundred miles off -- nine hours at the
outside. What is to be done?'
An idea entered into my head. 'Is that horse of yours fresh?'
I said.
'Yes, I have only just got on to him -- when my last was killed,
and he has been fed.'
'So is mine. Get off him, and let Umslopogaas mount; he can
ride well. We will be at Milosis before dawn, or if we are not
-- well, we cannot help it. No, no; it is impossible for you
to leave now. You would be seen, and it would turn the fate
of the battle. It is not half won yet. The soldiers would think
you were making a bolt of it. Quick now.'
In a moment he was down, and at my bidding Umslopogaas sprang
into the empty saddle.
'Now farewell,' I said. 'Send a thousand horsemen with remounts
after us in an hour if possible. Stay, despatch a general to
the left wing to take over the command and explain my absence.'
'You will do your best to save her, Quatermain?' he said in a
broken voice.
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