meet with success, and would be inclined to
grant terms rather than waste time here.

"It is the same thing with the native gentry. They will want to be off
to Lucknow or Delhi, where they will know more how things are going,
and where, no doubt, they reckon upon obtaining posts of importance and
increased possessions under the new order of things. Therefore, I think,
they, as well as the Sepoys, are likely, if they find the task longer
and more difficult than they expect, to be ready to grant terms. I have
no great faith in native oaths. Still they might be kept.

"Captain Forster's proposal I regard as altogether impracticable. We are
something like two hundred and fifty miles from the nearest British post
where we could hope to find refuge, and with the horses carrying double,
the troopers at our heels directly we start, and the country hostile,
I see no chance whatever, not a vestige of one, of our getting safely
away.

"But there is a third alternative by which some might escape; it is,
that we should make our way out on foot, break up into parties of twos
and threes; steal or fight our way through the sentries, and then for
each party to shift for itself, making its way as best it can, traveling
by night and lying up in woods or plantations by day; getting food at
times from friendly natives, and subsisting, for the most part, upon
what might be gathered in the fields. In that way some might escape,
but the suffering and hardships of the women and children would be
terrible."

"I agree with you," Mr. Hunter said; "such a journey would be frightful
to contemplate, and I don't think, in our case, that my wife could
possibly perform such a journey; still, some might do so. At any rate, I
think the chances are better than they would be were we to ride out in
a body. I should suggest, Major, when the crisis seems to be
approaching--that is, when it is clear that we can't defend ourselves
much longer--it would be fair that each should be at liberty to try to
get out and make down the country."

"Certainly," the Major agreed; "we are in a position of men on board a
sinking ship with the boats gone; we should try to the end to save the
ship, but when all hope of doing that is over, each may try to get to
shore as he best can. As long as the house can be defended, all must
remain and bear their share in the struggle, but when we decide that it
is but a question of hours, all who choose will be at liberty to try to
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