A dozen shots were fired by Slade's band, but no harm was done, and then, the sergeant coming back, Dick held a consultation with his two lieutenants and advisers.
"Perhaps we may flank them," he said.

"We can divide our force, and taking them by surprise drive them out of the wood." But Sergeant Whitley, wary and weatherwise, was against it.
"The risk would be too great, sir," he said.

"We can afford to wait while they can't.

Our whole column will be up in time, while it's not likely that anybody can come to help Slade.

It's true too, sir, that this rain is going to stop.