ng numbers. We do not know
much as to the position at Lucknow, but certainly the Europeans are
immensely outnumbered there, and I think we may assume that they
are also besieged. It is a very long distance either to Agra or to
Allahabad; and with the whole country up in arms against us, and the
cavalry here at our heels, the prospect seems absolutely hopeless. What
do you think, Doolan? You and Rintoul have your wives here, and you have
children. I consider that the question concerns you married men more
than us."

"It is a case of the frying pan and the fire, as far as I can see,
Doctor. At any rate, here we have got walls to light behind, and food
for weeks, and plenty of ammunition. I am for selling our lives as
dearly as we can here rather than go outside to be chased like jackals."

"I agree with you, Doolan," Captain Rintoul said. "Here we may be able
to make terms with them, but once outside the walls we should be at the
scoundrels' mercy. If it were not for the women and children I should
agree entirely with Forster that our best plan would be to throw open
our gates and make a dash for it, keeping together as long as we could,
and then, if necessary, separating and trying to make our way down to
Agra or Allahabad as best we could; but with ladies that does not seem
to be possible."

The opinion of the married civilians was entirely in accord with that of
Mr. Hunter.

"But what hope is there of defending this place in the long run?"
Captain Forster said. "If I saw any chance at all I should be quite
willing to wait; but I would infinitely rather sally out at once and
go for them and be killed than wait here day after day and perhaps week
after week, seeing one's fate drawing nearer inch by inch. What do you
say, Bathurst? We haven't had your opinion yet."

"I do not think that the defense is so hopeless as you suppose, although
I admit that the chances are greatly against us," Bathurst said quietly.
"I think there is a hope of tiring the natives out. The Sepoys know well
enough there can be no great amount of loot here, while they think that
were they at Cawnpore, at Lucknow, or still more at Delhi, their chances
of plunder would be much greater. Moreover, I think that men in their
position, having offended, as it were, without hope of pardon, would
naturally desire to flock together. There is comfort and encouragement
in numbers. Therefore, I am sure they will very speedily become
impatient if they do not