lowed by a sudden burst of light, which flooded the ward,
showing the enemy retiring a little, startled by the unexpected volley
and wondering at the glare. This gave time for reloading, and another
volley was fired as the enemy came on again.

This volley was followed by the commencement of a rolling fire outside,
mingled with yells of rage, imprecations, loud orders, and the hoarse
commands of officers. For the light given by the burning building was
the opportunity required; and minute by minute the firing increased from
the walls, as the scattered soldiery, many of whom had remained unarmed,
found their way into their quarters to obtain rifles and bayonets, and
joined their companions on the wall, able, and willing too, to take aim
down into the seething mob of savages in the court, without risking
destruction to a comrade or friend.

Three times over Colonel Graves summoned the enemy to surrender, and
twice over native attendants were dragged forth to yell down to the
Ghazis that their lives would be spared. All was in vain; the
announcements were received with shouts of defiance, yells of hatred at
the Christian dogs, and savage rushes were made at the steps leading up
to the ramparts, in each case for the venturers to be partly shot down,
the residue being hurled back from the point of the bayonet.

"It's of no use, Graves--Roberts," cried the Major; "it's their lives or
ours. Fire, my lads, fire!"

And by the increasing light of the flaming building, whose ruddy rays
illumined the horrible scene of carnage, the fight went on, till the
courtyard was dotted with the bodies of the wounded and slain, the
survivors of the great flock of sheep cowering together close to the
main gate, while others lay trampled down amongst the fallen, their
thick fleeces having protected many from the cuts of the Ghazis' swords.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.

A PAUSE.

The moment the court could be crossed, a rush was made for the hospital,
where the fight was still going on; but the mingled company of excited
men were checked twice over by wounded and shamming Ghazis springing up
to foot or knee to deliver one final blow at their hated Christian
conquerors, and several of the soldiers were badly wounded by the deadly
razor-edged tulwars before the wielder was borne to the earth by
bayonets, struggling fiercely still, though riddled with wounds.

Then the entrance to the hospital was reached, and the wild cheer of a
dozen men