its place being supplied by raw hide-thongs termed as above. "Sharp's
the word--mind."

In a twinkling the youngster was back with the required article, and
almost as quickly Renshaw's ready hand had strapped up the midnight
robber so that the latter could not move a limb. Now, all this had
happened in far less time than it has taken to narrate.

But there were still two of the scoundrels unaccounted for. That they
had not fled Renshaw was certain. And now the dogs, hearing the firing
and shouting, and judging the bulk of the fun lay in that direction,
abandoned their mysterious quarry and came tearing up open-mouthed.
Then the secret stood explained. The remaining two were crouching
beneath some rockwork at one corner of the verandah, presumably
following the tactics of the large veldt-spider who when suddenly
surprised is apt to run straight in upon the intruder, judging, rightly
in the main, that in this position the latter will not be able to crush
him.

"Throw down your arms or you are dead men!" cried Renshaw, covering the
pair with his barrels.

The fellows, who had just emptied their guns--with small effect,
however--among the snarling, leaping, savage pack which had at once
assailed them, did not hesitate a moment. They were the least desperate
of the gang, and the fearful execution done among their comrades had
struck wholesome terror into themselves. Begging piteously for mercy,
they shambled forth and submitted to being duly secured.

No sooner was this effected than a sharp report rang out in the room
where Marian had been posted. Promptly gaining the spot, Renshaw found
that the shot had not been fired by her, but by small Basil Selwood.

"Why, what are you blazing at, Basil? Those chaps are safely winged, if
they're not dead."

"Are they? That black chap was trying to cut away on two hands and a
leg," answered the youngster. "I thought I'd stop that. But I didn't
hit him," he added candidly.

"I must go and see to them. You and Fred must mount guard over the
prisoners, and send Gomfana to me."

Accompanied by the young Kafir, Renshaw sallied forth. The dogs had
already pounced upon the wounded Bushman, and in another minute would
have worried him to death. Game to the last, however, the ferocious
ruffian had fired among them, killing one, and but for the fact that his
gun was empty would have fired upon his human rescuers. Investigation
showed that he was badly wounded in both l