nd handed his gun up to him. The Doctor made his
way out on the branch to the spot where it extended beyond the wall, and
there sat, straining his eyes into the darkness. Half an hour passed,
and then he heard a light footfall on the sandy soil.

"Is that you, Bathurst?" he whispered.

"All right, Doctor;" and a minute later Bathurst sat on the branch
beside him.

"Well, what's your news?"

"Very bad, Doctor; they expect the Rajah Por Sing, who, it seems, is the
leader of the party in this district, and several other Zemindars, to be
here with guns tomorrow or next day. The news from Cawnpore was true..
The native troops mutinied and marched away, but were joined by Nana
Sahib and his force, and he persuaded them to return and attack the
whites in their intrenchments at Cawnpore, as they would not be well
received at Delhi unless they had properly accomplished their share of
the work of rooting out the Feringhees."

"The infernal scoundrel!" the Doctor exclaimed; "after pretending for
years to be our best friend. I'm disgusted to think that I have drunk
his champagne a dozen times. However, that makes little difference to us
now, your other news is the most important. We could have resisted
the Sepoys for a month; but if they bring up guns there can be but one
ending to it."

"That is so, Doctor. The only hope I can see is that they may find our
resistance so obstinate as to be glad to grant us terms of surrender."

"Yes, there is that chance," the Doctor agreed; "but history shows there
is but little reliance to be placed upon native oaths."

Bathurst was silent; his own experience of the natives had taught him
the same lesson.

"It is a poor hope," he said, after a while; "but it is the only one, so
far as I can see."

Not another word was spoken as they descended the tree and walked across
to the house.

"Never mind about changing your things, come straight in."

"Our scout has returned," the Doctor said, as he entered the room. There
was a general exclamation of gladness on the part of the ladies who had
not retired.

"I am very glad to see you safe back, Mr. Bathurst," Mrs. Hunter said,
going up to him and taking his hand. "We have all been very anxious
since you left."

"The danger was very slight, Mrs. Hunter. I only wish I had brought you
back the news that the native lines were deserted and the mutineers in
full march for Delhi and Lucknow."

"I was afraid you would hardly bring that news, M