ladies at once volunteered.

"There is no occasion for so many," Mrs. Doolan said; "and I propose
that tonight, at any rate, I should take the first watch with one of the
Miss Hunters, and that Miss Hannay and the other should take the
second. That will leave all the gentlemen available for the watch in the
inclosure."

The proposal was agreed to, and in a short time the first watch had
taken their station, and the rest of the garrison lay down to rest.

The night passed off quietly. The first work at which the Major set the
garrison in the morning was to form six wooden stages against the wall.
One by the gate, one against the wall at the other end, and two at each
of the long sides of the inclosure. They were twelve feet in height,
which enabled those upon them to stand head and shoulders above the
level of the wall.

When these were completed the whole of the garrison, including the
ladies and native servants, again set to work filling sandbags with
earth. As fast as they were finished they were carried in and piled two
deep against the lower windows, and three deep against the doors, only
one small door being left undefended, so as to allow a passage in and
out of the house. Bags were piled in readiness for closing this also in
case of necessity.

Mrs. Rintoul and another lady had volunteered for a third watch on the
roof, so that each watch would go on duty once every twelve hours. The
whole of the men, therefore, were available for work below.

A scattered fire was opened at the house soon after daybreak, and
was kept up without intermission from bushes and other cover; but the
watchers on the roof, seated behind the sandbags at opposite angles,
were well under shelter, peering out occasionally through the crevices
between the bags to see that no general movement was taking place among
the enemy.

About midday there was a desultory discharge of firearms from the native
lines; and the Major, on ascending to the roof, saw a procession of
elephants and men approaching the camp.

"I expect there are guns there," he muttered, "and they are going to
begin in earnest. Ladies, you are relieved of duty at present. I expect
we shall be hearing from those fellows soon, and we must have someone up
here who can talk back to them."

Accordingly the Doctor and Mr. Farquharson, who was the best shot among
the civilians, took the places of the ladies on the roof. Half an hour
later the Major went up again.

"They have