"I am sorry to say that the poor fellow must take his chance now. Dost was of opinion that we could not get in and out again safely, and I did not need to be told. We had a very narrow escape of being made prisoners." "But, Lacey, the nursing?" "He has that, and there is no disease, my dear boy. Those two women will do all that I could. It is only a question of seeing to his bandages, and cleanliness. I could say I'll go and stay with him; but if I did, the chances are that I should not get there; and if I did, I make the risk of his being murdered ten times greater. On the other hand, you and the lads here will want my help. My duty is with you." Dost was consulted, and said warmly that it was impossible to get back into the city, and that two foot regiments and one of cavalry had marched into and occupied the place. "And their English officers?" said Brace, excitedly. "Don't ask me, sahib," said Dost, sadly. "It is too terrible; the people have gone mad against our masters, and the fire is spreading through the land." The peculiarly stern look in Brace's countenance deepened as my Hindu servant went on. "If the doctor sahib tried to get into the city again, he would be taken, and the budmashes of the bazaar would murder him. Lacey sahib will be quite safe and get well. We must not go again; it means death." "There," said the doctor, "and I'm too busy to die yet, Brace; but pray go on eating and drinking, my dear boys; you must both be horridly faint. I prescribe food and rest." "Right, doctor; we'll take your first remedy. But there is no rest. We start in an hour or less. We must make a short march before the sun gets too hot." "You mean to keep to that mad idea of yours, then, about recapturing the guns?" "Yes, mad as it is." "Better try and join some of our men, where they are holding out, my dear boy. This is going to be a terrible business, and we must all row together and help one another." "Yes," said Brace, "I am going to help; but I must have my guns first, and remount my men." Then hastily finishing his rough breakfast, he rose and went off to give orders for an immediate start. "Vincent, my lad," said the doctor, "we shall all be cut to pieces, I'm afraid." "Our chances look very bad, I'm afraid," I replied. "Hold your tongue, sir," cried the doctor. "You are not afraid of anything. I said I was, but I'm not a fighting man. We're in for it, and are going to do our duty. My great trouble is about poor Craig. That man's a gentleman." "Hist!" came from close by among the trees. "Eh? who was that?" "Only me, doctor--Craig." "Bah! I had forgotten him. You heard?" "Yes, sir," said the wounded sergeant faintly, as we went to his side, and he smiled up at me. "I heard you blacking my character behind my back. Never mind about the past. What about Sergeant Craig?" "Well, what about him, sir? He's going to get better."