"Let me give you a strong dose of ammonia and ginger; you want a
pickup I can see by your face."
"I want it, Doctor, but I will not take it," Bathurst said. "That
is one thing I have made up my mind to. I will take no spirits to
create a courage that I do not possess."
"It is not courage; it has nothing to do with courage," the Doctor
said angrily. "It is a simple question of nerves, as I have told
you over and over again."
"Call it what you like, Doctor, the result is precisely the same.
I do not mind taking a strong dose of quinine if you will give it
me, for I feel as weak as a child, but no spirits."
With an impatient shrug of the shoulders the Doctor mixed a strong
dose of quinine and gave it to him.
An hour later a sudden outburst of musketry took place. Not a
native showed himself on the side of the house facing the maidan,
but from the gardens on the other three sides a heavy fire was
opened.
"Every man to the roof," the Major said; "four men to each of the
rear corners, three to the others. Do you think you are fit to
fire, Forster? Had you not better keep quiet for today; you will
have opportunities enough."
"I am all right, Major," he said carelessly. "I can put my rifle
through a loophole and fire, though I have one arm in a sling. By
Jove!" he broke off suddenly; "look at that fellow Bathurst--he
looks like a ghost."
The roll of musketry was unabated, and the defenders were already
beginning to answer it; the bullets sung thickly overhead, and above
the din could be heard the shouts of the natives.
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