a case of champagne. The Major tells us you have
been distinguishing yourself greatly."

Bathurst drank some of the wine before he replied.

"In a way, Mrs. Doolan, I scarcely know what I did do. I wanted to do
something, even if it was only to get killed."

"You must not talk like that," she said kindly; "your life is as
valuable as any here, and you know that we all like and esteem you; and,
at any rate, you have shown today that you have plenty of courage."

"The courage of a Malay running amuck, Mrs. Doolan; that is not courage,
it is madness. You cannot tell--no one can tell--what I have suffered
since the siege began. The humiliation of knowing that I alone of the
men here am unable to take my part in the defense, and that while others
are fighting I am useful only to work as a miner."

"But you are as useful in that way as you would be in the other," she
said. "I don't feel humiliated because I can only help in nursing the
sick while the others are fighting for us. We have all of us our gifts.
Few men have more than you. You have courage and coolness in other ways,
and you are wrong to care nothing for your life because of the failing,
for which you are not accountable, of your nerves to stand the sound of
firearms.. I can understand your feelings and sympathize with you, but
it is of no use to exaggerate the importance of such a matter. You might
live a thousand lives without being again in a position when such a
failing would be of the slightest importance, one way or the other. Now
come in with me. Certainly this is not the moment for you to give way
about it; for whatever your feelings may have been, or whatever may have
impelled you to the act, you have on this occasion fought nobly."

"Not nobly, Mrs. Doolan," he said, rising to his feet; "desperately, or
madly, if you like."

At this moment Wilson came out. "Halloa, Bathurst, what are doing here?
Breakfast is just ready, and everyone is asking for you. I am sure
you must want something after your exertions. You should have seen him
laying about him with that iron mace, Mrs. Doolan.. I have seen him
using the pick, and knew how strong he was, but I was astonished, I
can tell you. It was a sort of Coeur de Lion business. He used to use a
mace, you know, and once rode through the Saracens and smashed them up,
till at last, when he had done, he couldn't open his hand. Bring him in,
Mrs. Doolan. If he won't come, I will go in and send the Doctor out
to h