assembled under the shade of
umbrageous trees that crowned a little knoll from which could be seen
the blue smoke curling from a prosperous-looking homestead in the vale
below. It was a party of settlers enjoying their Christmas festivities
in the open air. Hans Marais and Charlie Considine were among them,
but, feeling less inclined than was their wont to join in the hilarity
of the young folks, they had sauntered into the shrubbery and conversed
sadly about the departure of Conrad Marais and his family, and of the
unsettled state of the frontier at that time.

While they talked, an armed band of savages had crept past them
unperceived, and advanced stealthily towards the party of revellers on
the knoll. Coming suddenly across the tracks of these savages, Hans
cast an anxious look at his companion, and said quickly--

"Look here, Charlie--the spoor of Kafirs! Let's go--"

The sentence was cut short by a wild war-cry, which was immediately
followed by shouts of men and screams of women.

Turning without another word, the two friends ran back to the knoll at
full speed, drawing their hunting-knives, which were the only weapons
they happened to carry at the time.

On reaching the knoll a fearful scene presented itself. The Kafirs had
already killed every man of the party--having come on them unawares and
thrown their assagais with fatal precision from the bushes. They were
completing the work of death with shouts and yells of fierce delight.
Not a woman was to be seen. They had either been dragged into the
bushes and slain, or had sought refuge in flight.

With a mighty shout of rage Hans and Considine dashed into the midst of
the murderers, and two instantly fell, stabbed to the heart. Seizing
the assagais of these, they rushed through the midst of their foes, and,
as if animated by one mind, made for the homestead below. To reach the
stables and get possession of their horses and rifles was their object.

The savages, of whom there were about thirty, were so taken aback by the
suddenness and success of this onset that for a few seconds they did not
pursue. Then, probably guessing the object of the fugitives, they
uttered a furious yell and followed them down the hill. But Hans and
Considine were active as well as strong. They kept well ahead, gained
the principal house, and secured their rifles. Then, instead of
barricading the doors and defending themselves, they ran out again and
shot the two Kafir