CHAPTER XIV.
But though obliged to defer to Major Hannay's wishes, and to abstain
from arguing with the men the question of Bathurst being given the
cold shoulder, Dr. Wade had already organized the ladies in his
favor. During the afternoon he had told them the tiger story, and
had confidentially informed them how it was that Bathurst from his
birth had been the victim of something like nervous paralysis at
all loud sounds, especially those of the discharge of firearms.
"His conduct today," he said, "and his courage in rescuing that
native girl from the tiger, illustrate his character. He is cool,
brave, and determined, as might be expected from a man of so well
balanced a mind as his; and even when his nerves utterly broke
down under the din of musketry, his will was so far dominant that
he forced himself to go forward and stand there under fire, an act
which was, under the circumstances, simply heroic."
There is little difficulty in persuading women as to the merits of
a man they like, and Bathurst had, since the troubles began, been
much more appreciated than before by the ladies of Deennugghur.
They had felt there was something strengthening and cheering in his
presence, for while not attempting to minimize the danger, there
was a calm confidence in his manner that comforted and reassured
those he talked to.
In the last twenty-four hours, too, he had unobtrusively performed
many little kindnesses; had aided in the removals, carried the
children, looked after the servants, and had been foremost in the
arrangement of everything that could add to the comfort of the
ladies.
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