The heat in the open air was terrific, in the close little room it was stifling; while the countless flies irritated them almost to madness. There was indeed but the choice of two evils; to cover closely their faces and hands, and lie bathed in perspiraiton; or to breathe freely, and bear the flies as best they might. The former alternative was generally chosen, as heat, however great, may be endured in quiet, and sleep may insensibly come on; but sleep, with a host of flies incessantly nestling on every exposed part of the face and body, was clearly an impossibility.
That day was a bad one for the defenders of Gubbins' Garrison, for no less than twelve shells penetrated the house, and five of the occupants were killed or wounded. The shells came from a newly-erected battery a hundred and fifty yards to the north. Among the killed was one of Mrs. Righton's children, and the boys first learned the news when, on rising from a fruitless attempt to sleep, they went to get a little fresh air outside, Edith and Nelly Hargreaves came out from the door with jugs on their way to fetch water.
The Warreners at once offered to fetch it for them, and as they spoke they saw that the girls' faces were both swollen with crying.
"Is anything the matter, Miss Hargreaves," Ned asked.
"Have you not heard," Edith said, "how poor little Rupert has been killed by a shell? The ayah was badly hurt, and we all had close escapes; the shells from that battery are terrible."
Expressing their sorrow at the news, the boys took the jugs, and crossing the yard to the well, filled and brought them back.
"I wish we could do something to silence that bat-
