They had already heard that the battery had been unmasked and was ready to open fire, and lamps had been placed in the storeroom in readiness for them.

There were pale faces among them, but their thoughts were of those on the roof rather than of themselves.
Mrs.Hunter took up the Bible she had been reading, and said, "Tell them, Captain Rintoul, we shall be praying for them." The ladies went into the room that served as a nursery, and with the ayahs and other female servants carried the children down into the storeroom.
"I would much rather be up there," Isobel said to Mrs.Doolan; "we could load the muskets for them, and I don't think it would be anything like so bad if we could see what was going on as being cooped up below fancying the worst all the time." "I quite agree with you, but men never will get to understand women.
Perhaps before we are done they will recognize the fact that we are no more afraid than they are." The music was heard approaching along the road where the bungalows had stood.

Presently a number of flags were raised in the battery amid a great beating of drums.

On the previous day a flagstaff had been erected on the roof, and a Union Jack was run up in answer to the enemy's demonstration.
"A cheer for the old flag, lads," the Major said; and a hearty cheer broke from the little party on the roof, where, with the exception of Bathurst, all the garrison were assembled.

The cheer was answered by a yell from the natives not only in the battery, but from the gardens and inclosures round the house.
"Pay no attention to the fellows in the gardens," the Major said; "fire at their guns--they must expose themselves to load." The men were kneeling behind the parapet, where the sandbags had been so arranged that they could see through between those on the upper line, and thus fire without raising their heads above it.
"Shall we wait for them or fire first, Major ?" the Doctor asked.
"I expect the guns are loaded and laid, Doctor; but if you see a head looking along them, by all means take a shot at it.