“There are enough women here to serve every one at the same time,” replied Belle Darrin. “Ladies, come here and help, if you please.”
There were only crude implements with which to prepare food, but a supply of wood was brought and preparations for a meal went rapidly forward.
With only sixty-eight riflemen to guard all four sides of the yamen, and twenty of these civilians, Dave’s task of defense was not an easy one.
At times spurts of rifle fire swept the ramparts, though so far none of the rebels had attempted to rush the yamen.
“Remember, men,” Dave urged, as he passed along behind the firing parties, “your great task is to keep the heathen from rushing us. Make every cartridge count, but don’t expose yourselves unnecessarily so long as the enemy are content to keep close to cover. Unless they succeed in making numerous hits, I don’t believe they will try to rush us in daylight.”
“But to-night, sir?” spoke up one of the petty officers.
“I hope that we shall have a chance to get out of here before nightfall,” Ensign Darrin answered.
“It will be a miracle, if we do get out of here safely before nightfall,” muttered the same petty officer, as Dave passed on to another part of the defenses.
After a while the firing died down. Dave ordered strict watch kept, but directed that there be no unnecessary firing until the Chinese beyond opened up heavily again.
Then, in the lull, he descended to the compound, to see to the care of the women, and afterwards of the men.