nd packing
them, and as I could not be of any use at that, I thought I would come
up for a little fresh air, if one can call it fresh; but, in fact, I
would rather sit over an open drain, for the stench is horrible. How
quiet everything seems tonight! After crouching here for the last three
weeks listening to the boom of their cannon and the rush of their balls
overhead, or the crash as they hit something, it seems quite unnatural;
one can't help thinking that something is going to happen. I don't
believe I shall be able to sleep a wink tonight; while generally, in
spite of the row, it has been as much as I could do to keep my eyes
open. I suppose I shall get accustomed to it in time. At present it
seems too unnatural to enjoy it."

"You had better get a good night's sleep, if you can, Wilson," the
Doctor said. "There won't be much sleep for us in the boats till we see
the walls of Allahabad."

"I suppose not, Doctor. I expect we shall be horribly cramped up. I long
to be there. I hope to get attached to one of the regiments coming up,
so as to help in giving the thrashing to these scoundrels that they
deserve. I would give a year's pay to get that villain, Nana Sahib,
within reach of my sword. It is awful to think of the news you brought
in, Bathurst, and that there are hundreds of women and children in his
power now. What a day it will be when we march into Cawnpore!"

"Don't count your chickens too soon, Wilson," the Doctor said, "The time
I am looking forward to is when we shall have safely passed Cawnpore on
our way down; that is quite enough for me to hope for at present."

"Yes, I was thinking of that myself," Wilson replied. "If the Nana
could not be bound by the oath he had taken himself, he is not likely to
respect the agreement made here."

"We must pass the place at night," Bathurst said, "and trust to not
being seen. Even if they do make us out, we shan't be under fire long
unless they follow us down the bank; but if the night is dark, they may
not make us out at all. Fortunately there is no moon, and boats are
not very large marks even by daylight, and at night it would only be a
chance shot that would hit us."

"Yes, we should be as difficult to hit as a tiger," the Doctor put in.

Wilson laughed.

"I have gained a lot of experience since then, Doctor. What ages that
seems back! Years almost."

"It does indeed," the Doctor agreed; "we count time by incidents and not
by days. Well, I think I sha