"
"Yes, I think that that will be a very good plan, Major. Two of
the men who act as hospital orderlies I can certainly depend upon,
and they will help to receive the things sent in from the bungalows,
and will hold their tongues as to what is being done; I shall leave
my tent standing, and use it occasionally as before, but will make
the courthouse my headquarters. How are we off for arms?"
"There are five cases of muskets and a considerable stock of
ammunition in that small magazine in the lines; one of the first
things will be to get them removed to the courthouse. We have
already arranged to do that tonight; it will give us four or five
muskets apiece."
"Good, Major; I will load them all myself and keep them locked
up in a room upstairs facing the gateway, and should there be any
trouble I fancy I could give a good account of any small body of
men who might attempt to make an entrance. I am very well content
with my position as Commandant of the Hospital, as we may call
it; the house has not been much good to us hitherto, but I suppose
when it was bought it was intended to make this a more important
station; it is fortunate they did buy it now, for we can certainly
turn it into a small fortress. Still, of course, I cannot disguise
from myself that though we might get on successfully for a time
against your Sepoys, there is no hope of holding it long if the
whole country rises."
"I quite see that, Doctor," the Major said gravely; "but I have
really no fear of that.
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