woman there
but had lost husband or father. Most of them were indifferent to life,
scarcely ever speaking, and seeming to move in a dream, while others
with children sat holding them close to them as if they dreaded a
separation at any moment. There were a few who were different, who moved
about and nursed the children and sick, and tried to comfort the others,
just as Mrs. Hunter did at Deennugghur. There was no crying and no
lamenting. It would have been a relief if anyone had cried, it was the
stillness that was so trying; when people talked to each other they did
it in a whisper, as they do in a room where someone is lying dead.

"You know Mary Hunter died yesterday? Well, Mrs. Hunter quite put aside
her own grief and tried to cheer others. I told her the last message I
received, and asked her to go with me if it should be true. She said,
'No, Isobel; I don't know whether this message is a dream, or whether
God has opened a way of escape for you--if so, may He be thanked; but
you must go alone--one might escape where two could not. As for me, I
shall wait here for whatever fate God may send me. My husband and
my children have gone before me. I may do some good among these poor
creatures, and here I shall stay. You are young and full of life, and
have many happy days in store for you. My race is nearly run--even did
I wish for life, I would not cumber you and your friends; there will be
perils to encounter and fatigues to be undergone. Had not Mary left us I
would have sent her with you, but God did not will it so. Go, therefore,
to the window, dear, as you were told by this message you think you have
received, but do not be disappointed if no one comes. If it turns out
true, and there is a chance of escape, take it, dear, and may God be
with you.' As I stood at the window, I could not go at once, as you told
me, to the door; I had to stand there; I saw it all till you turned and
ran to the door, and then I came to meet you."

"It was a pity you saw it," he said gently.

"Why? Do you think that, after what I have gone through, I was shocked
at seeing you kill three of those wretches? Two months ago I suppose I
should have thought it dreadful, but those two months have changed us
altogether. Think of what we were then and what we are now. There remain
only you, Mrs. Hunter, myself, and your letter said, Mr. Wilson. Is he
the only one?"

"Yes, so far as we know."

"Only we four, and all the others gone--Uncle and