第36章

General Blood is marching south, so as not to be cut off.I am sent round to direct all detachments upon Mooltan.""No! is that possible? Is there not perhaps some mistake? How can the Russians cross the Hindu-Kush?""I have myself seen Russian infantry in the gorges of the Indus Valley, Colonel.The march upon Herat and the occupation of Cabul under General Ivanov were mainly blinds.Ivanov, with twenty thousand men under his command, and reinforced by a like number of Afghans, is advancing from Cabul upon the Khyber Pass.But the main attack will be made from the Pamirs in the direction of Rawal-Pindi and Lahore."

"Rawal-Pindi?" exclaimed the Colonel."If the Russians come down the Indus, they will first of all arrive at Attock, and this strong fortress will check their advance long enough.""Let us hope so, but we must not absolutely reckon upon it.The strength of the Russian army is not at present known to us; but their advance has evidently been magnificently planned.Their engineers must have done perfect wonders in the difficult passes of the Hindu-Kush; and these Russian soldiers are like iron.""Well," said the Colonel, "we will soon show them that we are of steel."The adjutant handed over the written instructions, and after having read them, the Colonel replied--"To-morrow morning early I start for Mooltan, and expect to arrive there with my detachment by tomorrow evening.The commissariat and ammunition columns will, of course, not be able to get there until a few days later, and then only in part.What in all the world can have possessed the General not to meet the enemy in Rawal-Pindi?

That town is fortified and surrounded by strong forts; it is one of the greatest depots in India.Why must the General retire so far back, so far as Mooltan?""The General is expecting a decisive battle, and intends for the purpose to co-operate with the army of General Hunter.But both armies are, at present, equidistant from Mooltan, and the Russians would, the General thinks, hesitate to advance so far, from fear of having their left flank attacked from Lahore.In Lahore there is at present a force of ten thousand men, which is being reinforced every day from Delhi."With the departure of the adjutant, who, owing to the exigencies of duty, was obliged to decline the Colonel's offer of a seat at table, the luncheon-party broke up, and the Colonel made apologies to his guest for being unable, under existing circumstances, to devote more time to him.His officers accompanied him, and soon after Mrs.Baird was also called away.Quite unexpectedly Heideck and Edith Irwin found themselves alone.

For a few moments neither spoke, as though neither wished to give expression to the feelings that filled their hearts.The young wife first broke silence.

"You were intending to go with us into the field, Mr.Heideck, and I know that your decision was prompted by a desire to assist us women with your protection.But now all the arrangements are altered, and I beg of you to abandon your intention."He looked at her surprisedly."What, Mrs.Irwin? do you intend to deprive me of the pleasure I had looked forward to of accompanying you, and being your protector? And why?""You also have just heard that all the arrangements are altered.