The night passed off without the expected attack from Johannes' house, the
rebels being too much disconcerted by the destruction of the battery, and
the loss of so many men, to attempt any offensive operations. The
destruction of the house behind the guns, and of all those in its
vicinity, deterred them from re-establishing a battery in the same place,
as there would be no shelter for the infantry supporting the guns; and
after the result of the sortie it was evident to them that a large force
must be kept in readiness to repel the attacks of the British.

For a few days life was more tolerable in Gubbins' garrison; for although
shot and shell frequently struck the house, and batteries multiplied in
the circle around, none kept up so deadly and accurate a fire as that
which they had destroyed.

The Warreners took their fair share in all the heavy fatigue work, and in
the picket duty in the battery or on the roof; but they enjoyed their
intervals of repose, which were now always spent with Mr. Hargreaves'
family.

Mr. Hargreaves was collector of a district near Lucknow, and was high in
the Civil Service. He was a fit husband for his kindly wife; and as Mr.
Righton was of a cheerful and hopeful disposition, the boys found
themselves members of a charming family circle. Often and often they
wished that their father, sister, and cousin could but join them; or
rather, as Ned said, they could join the party without, for no one could
wish that any they loved should be at Lucknow at that time.

One evening late they were sitting together in a group outside the house,
the enemy's fire being slack, when Mr. Johnson came up from the battery to