im. Bad business, poor Richards being hurt, isn't it? Awfully good
fellow, Richards. Can't think why he was the one to be hit."

So keeping up a string of talk, the young subaltern led Bathurst into
the house.

After breakfast a white flag was waved from the roof, and in a short
time two Sepoy officers came up with a similar flag. The Major and
Captain Doolan went out to meet them, and it was agreed that hostilities
should be suspended until noon, in order that the wounded and dead might
be carried off.

While this was being done the garrison remained under arms behind their
work at the breach lest any treacherous attempt should be made. The
mutineers, however, who were evidently much depressed by the
failure, carried the bodies off quietly, and at twelve o'clock firing
recommenced.

That evening, after it was dark, the men gathered on the terrace.

"Well, gentlemen," the Major said, "we have beaten them off today, and
we may do it again, but there is no doubt how it must all end. You see,
this afternoon their guns have all been firing at a fresh place in the
wall; and if they make another breach or two, and attack at them all
together, it will be hopeless to try to defend them. You see, now that
we have several sick and wounded, the notion of making our escape is
almost knocked on the head. At the last moment each may try to save his
life, but there must be no desertion of the sick and wounded as long as
there is a cartridge to be fired. Our best hope is in getting assistance
from somewhere, but we know nothing of what is going on outside. I think
the best plan will be for one of our number to try to make his way out,
and go either to Lucknow, Agra, or Allahabad, and try and get help.
If they could spare a troop of cavalry it might be sufficient; the
mutineers have suffered very heavily; there were over a hundred and
fifty bodies carried out today, and if attacked suddenly I don't think
they would make any great resistance. We may hold out for a week or ten
days, but I think that is the outside; and if rescue does not arrive by
that time we must either surrender or try to escape by that passage."

There was a general assent.

"Bathurst would be the man to do it," the Doctor said. "Once through
their lines he could pass without exciting the slightest suspicion;
he could buy a horse then, and could be at any of the stations in two
days."

"Yes, there is no doubt that he is the man to do it," the Major said.
"Wh