r work of sewing strips of
linen together for bandages with a paler face than had been caused by
the outbreak of musketry. Gradually the firing ceased. The Sepoys had
suffered heavily from the steady fire of the invisible defenders and
gradually drew off, and in an hour from the commencement of the attack
all was silent round the building.

"So far so good, ladies," the Major said cheerily, as the garrison,
leaving one man on watch, descended from the roof. "We have had no
casualties, and I think we must have inflicted a good many, and the
mutineers are not likely to try that game on again, for they must see
that they are wasting ammunition, and are doing us no harm. Now I hope
the servants have got tiffin ready for us, for I am sure we have all
excellent appetites."

"Tiffin is quite ready, Major," Mrs. Doolan, who had been appointed
chief of the commissariat department, said cheerfully. "The servants
were a little disorganized when the firing began, but they soon became
accustomed to it, and I think you will find everything in order in the
hall."

The meal was really a cheerful one. The fact that the first attack had
passed over without anyone being hit raised the spirits of the women,
and all were disposed to look at matters in a cheerful light. The two
young subalterns were in high spirits, and the party were more lively
than they had been since the first outbreak of the mutiny. All had felt
severely the strain of waiting, and the reality of danger was a positive
relief after the continuous suspense. It was much to them to know that
the crisis had come at last, that they were still all together and the
foe were without.

"It is difficult to believe," Mrs. Doolan said, "that it was only
yesterday evening we were all gathered at the Major's. It seems an age
since then."

"Yes, indeed," Mrs. Rintoul agreed; "the night seemed endless. The worst
time was the waiting till we were to begin to move over. After that I
did not so much mind, though it seemed more like a week than a night
while the things were being brought in here."

"I think the worse time was while we were waiting watching from the roof
to see whether the troops would come out on parade as usual," Isobel
said. "When my uncle and the others were all in, and Captain Forster,
and the gates were shut, it seemed that our anxieties were over."

"That was a mad charge of yours, Forster," the Major said. "It was like
the Balaclava business--magnificent; but