Which of us knew that it might not in a few hours be his own fate?
"Gentlemen," said I to my brother officers, as we came together, "can you suggest any mode of escape ?" "Our only chance is to fight them where we stand.

There are four to one," replied Clayey.
"We have no other chance, Captain," said Oakes, with a shake of the head.
"But it is not their intention to fight _us_.

Their design is to starve us.

See! they are picketing their horses, knowing they can easily overtake us if we attempt to leave the inclosure." "Cannot we move in a hollow square ?" "But what is a hollow square of fifty men?
and against four times that number of cavalry, with lances and lazos?
No, no; they would shiver it with a single charge.

Our only hope is that we may be able to hold out until our absence from camp may bring a detachment to our relief." "And why not send for it ?" inquired the major, who had scarcely been asked for his advice, but whose wits had been sharpened by the extremity of his danger.