"Of course, when we heard that Nana Sahib had thrown in his lot with the mutineers, it was probable that many of the landowners would go the same way; but if the Sepoys had marched off they might not have attacked us on their own account.

Now we know that the Sepoys are going to stay, and that they will have guns, it alters our position altogether." There was a murmur of assent.
"I should tell you before you talk the matter over further," Bathurst went on, "that during the last hour some hundreds of peasants have taken up their posts round the house in addition to the Sepoy sentries.

I came back with one party about a hundred strong.

They are posted a couple of hundred yards or so in front of the gate.

I slipped away from them in the dark and made my way here." "Well, gentlemen, what do you think we had better do ?" the Major said; "we are all in the same boat, and I should like to have your opinions.
We may defend this house successfully for days--possibly we may even tire them out--but on the other hand they may prove too strong for us.