"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