scape."

"It will be vastly more difficult then than now," Captain Forster said;
"Bathurst made his way out tonight without difficulty, but they will
be a great deal more vigilant when they know we cannot hold out much
longer. I don't see how it would be possible for women and children to
get through them."

"We might then adopt your scheme, to a certain extent, Forster," Major
Hannay said. "We could mount, sally out suddenly, break through their
pickets, and as soon as we are beyond them scatter; those who like can
try to make their way down on horseback, those who prefer it try to do
so on foot. That would at least give us an alternative should the siege
be pushed on to the last, and we find ourselves unable to make terms."

There was general assent to the Major's proposal, which seemed to offer
better chances than any. There was the hope that the mutineers might
tire of the siege and march away; that if they pressed it, terms might
be at last obtained from them, and that, failing everything else, the
garrison might yet make their way down country.

"As there is evidently no chance of an attack during the night," the
Major said, "we will divide into two watches and relieve each other
every four hours; that will give two as lookouts on the roof and six
in the inclosure. As you are senior officer next to myself, Doolan, you
will take charge of one watch; I shall myself take charge of the other.
Forster and Wilson be with me, Rintoul and Richards with you. Mr. Hardy,
will you and the other gentlemen divide your numbers into two watches?
Dr. Wade counts as a combatant until his hospital begins to fill."

"I fancy he may be counted as a combatant all through," the Doctor
muttered.

"Tomorrow morning," the Major went on, "we will continue the work of
filling sandbags. There are still a large number of empty bags on hand.
We shall want them for all the lower windows and doors, and the
more there are of them the better; and we must also keep a supply in
readiness to make a retrenchment if they should breach the wall. Now,
Mr. Hunter, as soon as you have made out your list my watch can go on
duty, and I should advise the others to turn in without delay."

When the ladies were informed that half the men were going on watch,
Mrs. Doolan said, "I have an amendment to propose, Major. Women's ears
are just as keen as men's, and I propose that we supply the sentries on
the roof. I will volunteer for one."

The whole of the