ing upon the sides of the
broken door.

"It's of no use to try and hold this place longer, Doctor," he said,
bringing now to bear his military knowledge. "We have to bear the full
rush of these men."

"But it's like giving up to them," panted the Doctor.

"Never mind; let's retire into the ward. You see, the door is at
right-angles to this, and when they press in they can only fill this
little place, and we shall have to contend with four or five instead of
fifty."

"That's good talk," said the Doctor. "I'm not a soldier. Very well,
then, back in, and I'll cover you."

"No; you retire with the nurse and Gedge, and I will hold them at bay
till you get in. Make the men present their bayonets as soon as we are
in. Just give the word, and they will know. It will check the wretches
while we try to get the door closed."

"No," cried the Sergeant's wife through her teeth. "Bill Gedge and I
will keep them off till you are in and tell us to fall back."

"Right," said the Doctor; "don't stop to parley, Bracy, my lad. Ah,
what does that mean?" he cried sharply, for Mrs Gee and Gedge both
thrust and then thrust again.

"Means a roosh, gentlemen," said Gedge hoarsely. "In with you; we can't
hold 'em back any longer."

"Back in," said Bracy hoarsely. "We must do it, Doctor; they're mad for
our blood."

The Doctor stepped through the inner door, and Bracy followed.

"Right and left," he said sharply; "cover the advance as they fall
back."

A low hissing sound accompanied a quick movement, and then, after
delivering a couple more thrusts, Gedge whispered:

"In with you, nurse."

"You first, boy," she answered, as she thrust fiercely again, a sharp
cry following her delivery.

"I don't go afore a woman," said Gedge bluntly, as he delivered point
once more.

"Nor I before my patient," said Mrs Gee, following his example, and
feeling the bayonet strike flesh.

"Back, you two, at once," cried Bracy sternly; and as the strangely
assorted couple took a step or two back and darted into the ward, a
hedge of bayonets dropped down breast-high, in time to meet the rush of
Ghazis who dashed forward with upraised swords.

Then, to the surprise of all, there was the crackle of a little volley,
and the faces of the fierce warriors were for a moment illumined,
efforts being made to strengthen the position by dragging a charpoy
across, planting a second upon the first, and heaping thereon everything
that could be se