ladies talked together as usual, while the men moved in and out of the
room, sometimes talking with the Major, sometimes sitting down for a few
minutes in the veranda outside, or talking there in low tones together.

The Major moved about among them, and soon learned that all had
resolved to stay and meet together whatever came, preferring that to the
hardships and unknown dangers of flight.

"I am glad you have all decided so," he said quietly. "In the state the
country is, the chances of getting to Allahabad are next to nothing.
Here we may hold out till Lawrence restores order at Lucknow, and then
he may be able to send a party to bring us in. Or the mutineers may draw
off and march to Delhi. I certainly think the chances are best here;
besides, every rifle we have is of importance, and though if any of
you had made up your minds to try and escape I should have made no
objection, I am glad that we shall all stand together here."

The arrangements were then briefly made for the removal to the
courthouse. All were to go back and apparently to retire to bed as
usual. At twelve o'clock the men, armed, were to call up their servants,
load them up with such things as were most required, and proceed with
them, the women, and children, at once to the courthouse. Half the men
were to remain there on guard, while the others would continue with
the servants to make journeys backwards and forwards to the bungalows,
bringing in as much as could be carried, the guard to be changed every
hour. In the morning the servants were all to have the choice given them
of remaining with their masters or leaving.

Captain Forster was the only dissentient. He was in favor of the whole
party mounting, placing the women and children in carriages, and making
off in a body, fighting their way if necessary down to Allahabad. He
admitted that, in addition to the hundred troopers of his own squadron,
they might be cut off by the mutinous cavalry from Cawnpore, fall in
with bodies of rebels or be attacked by villagers, but he maintained
that there was at least some chance of cutting their way through, while,
once shut up in the courthouse, escape would be well nigh impossible.

"But you all along agreed to our holding the courthouse, Forster," the
Major said.

"Yes; but then I reckoned upon Cawnpore holding out with the assistance
of Nana Sahib, and upon the country remaining quiet. Now the whole thing
is changed. I am quite ready to fight in th