It's a deal!" The others growled consent and Charnock waited until they moved away, after which he shut the door and sat down wearily.
"You took the right line," Festing said.
"I hesitated about fixing the time, but we can't go on much longer." "No," said Festing.

"Well, we have ten days!" They said nothing more and soon afterwards went to bed.

Next morning there was a marked haziness in the west, but the frost was keener.

It looked as if they must be beaten, although they meant to fight until defeat was sure, and Festing was surprised when he glanced at his comrade.

This was not the careless lounger he had known.