of the
carnage-seeking enemy slipped and fell, either to crawl or be dragged
away by their companions.

"It's getting to be a matter of minutes now," said the Doctor in a
whisper to Bracy. "This is the last of it."

"The window," said Bracy, calmly enough now. "Take Mrs Gee and help
her out. Then you and Gedge climb out, and drop down; you may make your
escape in the darkness. You hear, Mrs Gee?"

"Yes, sir, I hear," said the woman in her sourest tones; "but my man
told me I was to stick to my patients, no matter what happened."

"And I order you to escape."

"Yes, sir; but I'm not one of your men," said the woman, with a
triumphant masterful ring in her words, "and under your orders; but you
are my patient and under mine. So you go and get as many of the poor
boys away with you as you can. Off with you, Gedge; you're as bad as
any of them, in spite of your brag. Then you others follow, one at a
time; me and the Doctor can't leave, the rest, and we're going to stay."

"Go!" said Gedge sharply. "Go and leave my comrades and my orficer as
can't help theirselves. Not me!"

There was a low murmur at this, and then a cessation of all words in the
desperate defence forced upon the little party; for, as if maddened by
the long resistance, and utterly reckless of the losses they had
suffered, the Ghazis came on, howling and bounding to the door, leaping
up and reaching in to strike downward with all their force, and
generally paying the penalty of death; for even with their swords
extended to the full extent of the holders' arms, not once was a
damaging cut inflicted.

The result of this last rush was that, horrible to relate, the
breastwork was raised by the bodies of three fatally wounded Ghazis, who
in their dying moments sought to revenue their deaths by cutting
savagely at their foes as they lay.

"I can't bay'net chaps who are down," muttered Gedge, shrinking back;
while at the same moment Mrs Gee uttered a wild cry, for one of the
dying men had inflicted a horrible upward cut, which, as she was leaning
forward, took effect upon her chin.

This movement on the part, of two of the strongest of the defenders
seemed to be fatal. A weak place in their defence was displayed, and
with a fierce yell the enemy crowded on in a final attack. This would
have been fatal but for the bravery of the tottering invalids, who met
the rush with a sharp volley from half-a-dozen pieces, and the flash and
smoke were fol