Henderson was reduced to a condition of absolute despair, for neither of
the trio could think of any plan of rescue promising even the remotest
prospect of success.

"Leave me, both of you," he at length exclaimed in desperation--"leave
me to watch and to think out this matter alone; lie down and rest if you
can for an hour or two, husband your strength as much as possible, for
we shall have need of it all before sunrise"--he shuddered involuntarily
as he uttered the last word--"and fear not, I will call you in good
time."

The two men turned, and without a word retired below to their room,
leaving the doctor to wrestle alone with the difficult question of what
was his actual duty in this terrible strait.

Reader, do not mistake this man's character. No braver or more gallant
Englishman--no nobler or stauncher friend--ever lived than he. Had he
been an unmarried man, or had those two women and that helpless child,
his daughter, been in a place of safety, he would have unhesitatingly
accepted the hints which Manners and Nicholls had so repeatedly thrown
out, and placing himself at their head, would have marched with a light
heart against the Malays, and either have rescued the captives or have
perished with them. But the odds against him and his companions were so
great--a little over seven to one even now, after the losses already
sustained by the enemy--that he felt he _dared_ not indulge in any hope
of success, especially as those odds would be so greatly increased by
even _one_ casualty on his side; and if failure ensued, what would be
the result to them all, including the women and the child still safe in
the shelter of the fort? It would not bear thinking about.

"God help me!" he cried in his despair. "_What_ shall I do?"

"Ay, and why should not God help him?" was the thought which followed
close upon the heels of his exclamation. And feeling that he had
already too long neglected to seek the only counsel upon which he could
safely rely, this simple-hearted, noble-minded gentleman went down upon
his knees there and then, and laying the whole case before his Creator,
humbly, yet fervently, sought for guidance and aid, for Christ's sake.

When he rose from his knees it was with a feeling of almost ecstatic
relief, for--be it said with all reverence--he had cast his burden upon
the Lord. He had sought for guidance and help; the one had been given
him--for he had formed his resolution what to do; and t