But with luck they hoped to cover the distance
in a fortnight, begging corn at the Kaffir kraals, sleeping by day,
and marching under cover of the darkness.
They agreed to make the attempt on the 11th of December, but on
that night the sentries did not move from the only part of the wall
that was in shadow. On the night following, at the last moment,
something delayed Churchill's companion, and he essayed the
adventure alone. He writes: "Tuesday, the 12th! Anything was
better than further suspense. Again night came. Again the dinner
bell sounded. Choosing my opportunity, I strolled across the
quadrangle and secreted myself in one of the offices. Through a
chink I watched the sentries. For half an hour they remained stolid
and obstructive. Then suddenly one turned and walked up to his
comrade and they began to talk. Their backs were turned.
I darted out of my hiding-place and ran to the wall, seized the top
with my hands and drew myself up. Twice I let myself down again
in sickly hesitation, and then with a third resolve scrambled up.
The top was flat. Lying on it, I had one parting glimpse of the
sentries, still talking, still with their backs turned, but, I repeat,
still fifteen yards away. Then I lowered myself into the adjoining
garden and crouched among the shrubs. I was free. The first step
had been taken, and it was irrevocable.
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