Everything will be done quietly at present, and
things will be sent in there after dark by such servants as we can
thoroughly rely upon. At the first signs of trouble the residents
will make straight for that point. Of course we must be guided by
circumstances. If the trouble begins in the daytime--that is, if
it does begin, for the native officers assure us that we can trust
implicitly in the loyalty of the men--there will probably be
time for everyone to gain the courthouse; if it is at night, and
without warning, as it was at Meerut, I can only say, Doctor, may
God help us all, for I fear that few, if any, of us would get there
alive. Certainly not enough to make any efficient defense."
"I do not see that there is anything else to do, Major. I trust
with you that the men will prove faithful; if not, it is a black
lookout whichever way we take it."
"Did you kill the tiger, Doctor?"
"Yes; at least Bathurst and I did it between us. I wounded him
first. It then sprang upon Bathurst's elephant, and he speared it,
and I finished it with a shot through the head."
"Speared it!" the Major repeated; "why didn't he shoot it. What
was he doing with his spear?"
"He was born, Major, with a constitutional horror of firearms,
inherited from his mother. I will tell you about it some day. In
fact, he cannot stand noise of any sort. It has been a source of
great trouble to the young fellow, who in all other respects has
more than a fair share of courage.
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