The Doctor at once roused his servant, who was sleeping in a shelter
tent pitched by the side of his. The man came in looking surprised
at being called. "Roshun," the Doctor said, "you have been with me
ten years, and I believe you to be faithful."
"I would lay down my life for the sahib," the man said quietly.
"You have heard nothing of any trouble with the Sepoys?"
"No, sahib; they know that Roshun is faithful to his master."
"We have news that they are going to rise in the morning and kill
all Europeans, so we are going to move at once into the hospital."
"Good, sahib; what will you take with you?"
"My books and papers have all gone in," the Doctor said; "that
portmanteau may as well go. I will carry these two rifles myself;
the ammunition is all there except that bag in the corner, which
I will sling round my shoulder."
"What are in those two cases, Doctor?" Wilson asked.
"Brandy, lad."
"We may as well each carry one of those, Doctor, if your boy takes
the portmanteau. It would be a pity to leave good liquor to be
wasted by those brutes."
"I agree with you, Wilson; besides, the less liquor they get hold
of the better for us. Now, if you are all ready, we will start; but
we must move quietly, or the sentry at the quarter guard may hear
us."
Ten minutes later they reached the hospital, being the last of the
party to arrive there.
"Now, Major," the Doctor said cheerily, as soon as he entered,
"as this place is supposed to be under my special charge I will
take command for the present.
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