ey shan't come near yer
while I'm alive. After that--here, ketch hold, sir--your pistol, sir--
after that you must lie still and shoot."

The light had been extinguished, so that the sheep should not be scared
by a glare from the window; and in the darkness, amidst the howls,
yells, and shouts in the courtyard, Gedge felt for the bed so as to
thrust the loaded revolver into Bracy's hand. But, to his astonishment,
a strong hand was laid upon his shoulder, and the sword was snatched
from his grasp, while Bracy cried in a voice the lad hardly knew:

"Keep the pistol, close that door and window, and come on. Gedge, lad,
we must try and keep the ward, before these savages get in."

CHAPTER NINETEEN.

GHAZIS AND CUNNING.

As Bracy, closely followed by Gedge, made for the door, the noise and
confusion in the darkness were horrible. There were nearly a score of
sick and wounded in the two rows of beds, some of whom were groaning and
appealing for help; but the majority were making brave efforts to get on
some clothes, and one man was shouting for the nurse to go to the
armoury and bring as many rifles and bayonets as she could carry. But
there was no answer to their appeals, as Bracy, tottering at first, but
growing stronger as he passed between the two rows of beds, struggled
for the door at the end, and passed through into a little lobby, from
which another door led at once into the court, a mere slit of a window
at the side admitting a few faint rays of light.

"Ha!" ejaculated Bracy in a tone of thankfulness. "The door's fast,
Gedge, lad, and we must defend it to the last. We can do no good
outside."

"Who's this?" cried a harsh, sharp voice. "Bracy, my dear boy, you
here?" cried the Doctor almost simultaneously.

"Nurse!--Doctor!" panted the young officer.

"Yes, here we are, my boy, on duty; and bless this woman! she's as
plucky as half-a-dozen men."

"Nonsense!" said Mrs Gee harshly. "You don't suppose I was going to
stand still and let the wretches massycree my patients--do you, Doctor?"

"No, my dear, I don't think anything of the kind, and certainly I won't.
Have you got plenty of cartridges?"

"A dozen packets, and there's four rifles with fixed bayonets behind the
door."

"I'll have one, my lass. I was afraid I should have to take to my
surgical instruments. But, look here, Bracy, my boy, you can do no
good, so go back to bed and send that scoundrel Gedge here. He's hiding
under one