had been hastily buried, while horrible smells everywhere tainted the air.

Running across open spaces, and stooping along beneath low walls, the
Warreners and their conductor, Captain Fellows, reached Gubbins' house.
Mr. Gubbins himself--financial commissioner of Oude, a man of great
courage and firmness--received them warmly.

"You will find we are close packed," he said, "but you will, I am sure,
make the best of it. I am glad to have you, for every man is of value
here; and after the bravery you have shown in coming through the enemy's
lines you will be just the right sort of men for me. I think you will find
most room here; I lost two of my garrison from this room on the 20th, when
we had a tremendous attack all round."

The room was small and dark, as the window was closed by a bank of earth
built against it on the outside. It was some fourteen feet by eight, and
here, including the newcomers, eight men lived and slept. Here the
Warreners, after a few words with those who were in future to be their
comrades, threw themselves down on the ground, and, in spite of the din
which raged around them, were soon fast asleep.

It was nearly dark when they awoke, and they at once reported themselves
to Mr. Johnson--a police magistrate, who was the senior officer of the
party in the room--as ready to begin duty.

"You will not be on regular duty till to-night," he replied. "Altogether,
there are about forty men in the garrison. Eight are always on duty, and
are relieved every four hours. So we go on every twenty hours. Only half
our set go on duty together, as that gives room for those who remain. Two
came off duty at eight this morning, four are just going on. You will go