In but few cases had the outbreaks taken place at night, the mutineers
almost always breaking out either upon being ordered to parade or
upon actually falling in; still, it was by no means certain when a
crisis might come, and the Europeans all lay down to rest in their
clothes, one person in each house remaining up all night on watch,
so that at the first alarm all might hurry to the shelter of the
hospital.
Its position was a strong one--a lofty wall inclosing a courtyard
and garden surrounding it. This completely sheltered the lower floor
from fire; the windows of the upper floor were above the level of
the wall, and commanded a view over the country, while round the
flat terraced roof ran a parapet some two feet high.
During the day the ladies of the station generally gathered at
Mr. Hunter's, which was the bungalow nearest to the hospital. Here
they worked at the bags intended to hold earth, and kept up each
other's spirits as well as they could. Although all looked pale
and worn from anxiety and watching, there were, after the first
few days, no manifestations of fear. Occasionally a tear would
drop over their work, especially in the case of two of the wives
of civilians, whose children were in England; but as a whole
their conversation was cheerful, each trying her best to keep up
the spirits of the others. Generally, as soon as the meeting was
complete, Mrs. Hunter read aloud one of the psalms suited to their
position and the prayers for those in danger, then the work was
got out and the needles applied briskly.
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