“A month!” Colonel Inglis said; “that
is indeed a long time, and we had hoped that already
help was at hand. Well, we must do our best.
We are even now sorely pressed; but I doubt not we
can hold out for a month. General Havelock cannot
accomplish impossibilities, and it is wonderful that
he should have recaptured Cawnpore with so small a
force.”
“We thought it better to give you this news
privately, colonel, in order that you might, should
you think fit, keep from the garrison the knowledge
that so long a time must elapse without succor.”
“You were quite right, sir,” Colonel Inglis
said; “but the truth had better be made public.
It is far better that all should know that we are
dependent upon our own exertions for another month
than that they should be vainly looking for assistance
to arrive. And now, gentlemen, I will call my
officers in, and you shall get some clothes. Unhappily,
death is so busy that there will be no difficulty
in providing you in that respect. You must want
food, too, and that, such as it is, is in plenty also.”
The other officers were now called in, and the commandant
told them the news that he had received from the Warreners.
There was a look of disappointment for a moment, and
then cheering answers that they were all good for
another month’s fighting were made.
“I know, gentlemen,” Colonel Inglis said,
“our thoughts are all the same. We are
ready to fight another month, but we dread the delay
for the sake of the women and children. However,
God’s will be done. All that men can do,
this garrison will, I know, do; and with God’s
help, I believe that whether aid comes a little sooner
or later, we shall hold these battered ruins till
it arrives. Captain Fellows, will you get these
officers something to eat, and some clothes?
Then, if they are not too tired, they will perhaps
not mind sitting up an hour or two and giving us the
news from the outside world.”
Daylight was breaking before Ned and Dick—who
had, at Colonel Inglis’ suggestion separated,
Ned going to the colonel’s room, while Dick formed
the center of a great gathering in a hall below, in
order that as many might hear the news as possible—brought
to a conclusion the account of Havelock’s advance,
of the awful massacre of Cawnpore, of the fresh risings
that had taken place in various parts of India, of
the progress of the siege of Delhi, and the arrival
of reinforcements from China and England. With
daybreak, the cannon, which had tired at intervals
through the night, began to roar incessantly, and
shot and shell crashed into the Residency.
“Is this sort of thing always going on?”
Dick asked in astonishment.
“Always,” was the answer, “by day,
and four nights out of five. We have not had
so quiet a time as last night for a week. Now
I will go and ask the chief to which garrison you
and your brother are to be assigned.”
