Sister Mollie was indeed busy, for every tent in the hospital was full. If Major Strause survived another hour, soldiers would be brought to share his tent with him; but the surgeons had implored for an hour or two of perfect quiet in a case of so much danger. Kitty, with her white face and her startled eyes, rushed to her sister's side.
"Let them all go, let them all go!" she said. "It is life or death. Come at once—at once!"
"Yes, go, Sister Mollie; I will look after the cases," said another capable-looking nurse who stood near.
Mollie glanced at Kitty, read she knew not what in her eyes, and went with her.
"What are they firing about? what is the excitement?" said Mollie suddenly.
She stopped; then she ran to the door. Kitty ran with her.
"Why, what is it?" she said. "Who are those soldiers? Not Boers. No, our men, and galloping! No horses in Ladysmith have galloped for many days. O Kitty, Kitty, what does it mean?"
"I don't know," said Kitty. "But come; it is a case of life or death."
A wild, tremendous, all-inspiriting cheer burst at this moment on the air, and the galloping horses came nearer, and the sick men who were able to move in the hospital raised their languid heads, and the orderlies and doctors shouted, and even the nurses came out, as Lord Dundonald, with a small body of mounted troops, made a dash across the hills, and passed Intombi on his way to Ladysmith.
"'Lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh,'" said Mollie.