“Of course I can!”
“Are all the women on the floor?”
“Three women and the child.”
“Can you close the trap-door again?”
“Surely! It is only opening it that is difficult.”
“Then close it before you go. I've got a reason! Send one of my men up here with a lantern—one of those that are burning in the magazine. I want to signal.”
“Very well, sahib!”
“Then take the women, with four of my men to help them walk, and get out as quickly as you can by the way we all came in. Wait for the rest of my men when you reach the opening in the outer wall, and when they reach you allot two men to carry each woman, and run—the whole lot of you—for the army over yonder. One of the women will object. She will want to see me first. Use force, if necessary!”
“Are you, then, not coming, sahib?”
“I have another plan. Here they come! Hurry now, be off with the women! Volley-firing—ready—present!”