"
"I think the idea is a very good one, Bathurst. What do you think,
Doctor?"
"Capital," the Doctor said. "It is a light sandy soil, and we should
be able to get through it at a pretty good rate. How many can work
together, do you think, Bathurst?"
"I should say two of us in each shift, to drive, and, if necessary,
prop the roof, with some of the natives to carry out the earth. If
we have three shifts, each shift would go on twice in the twenty-four
hours; that would be four hours on and eight hours off."
"Will you take charge of the operation, Bathurst?"
"With pleasure, Major."
"Very well then. You shall have with you Wilson and Richards and the
three youngest of the civilians, Saunderson, Austin, and Herbert.
You six will be relieved from other duty except when the enemy
threaten an attack. I will put down Saunderson and Austin together.
Which of the others would you like to have with you?"
"I will take Wilson, sir."
"Very well, then, Richards and Herbert will make the third party.
After breakfast we can pick out the twelve strongest of the natives.
I will tell them that they have to work, but that they will be each
paid half a rupee a day in addition to their ordinary wages. Then
you will give a general supervision to the work, Bathurst, in
addition to your own share in it?"
"Certainly, Major, I will take general charge of it."
So at breakfast the Major explained the plan agreed upon. The five
men chosen at once expressed their willingness to undertake the
work, and the offer of half a rupee extra a day was sufficient to
induce twelve of the servants to volunteer for it.
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