was closed they
bounded away at the top of their speed to the shelter of the bush,
expecting every moment to hear the report of a rifle behind them; but
the Renshaws had not thought of firing.

"Well done, Marion!" Wilfrid exclaimed as soon as the door was fastened.
"I was on the point of springing upon him when I heard your voice behind
me; I think that I could have tripped him backwards, but if I had done
so the others would have been upon me with their clubs. Now, let us
close and fasten the shutters, though I do not think we need have any
fear of their coming back. In each case we have heard of they have
always fallen on the settlers suddenly and killed them before they had
time for resistance, and I do not think there is a chance of their
trying to attack us now that they know we are ready for them. I expect
that they were passing down to some of their people below, and seeing,
as they thought, a defenceless hut, thought it would be an easy business
to plunder it and knock on the head anyone they might find here. Now
that they have failed they will probably go on their journey again."

"I was horribly frightened, Wilfrid," Marion said when they joined each
other in the sitting-room after making all the fastenings secure.

"You did not look frightened a bit, Marion; and you certainly gave that
fellow a tremendous scare. Didn't he drop his club sharp? And now, what
do you think we had better do? The first thing is to get the Grimstones
in. Those fellows may have been watching for some time and saw them go
out."

"But they have got their guns with them, Wilfrid. The natives would
surely not think of attacking two men with guns when they have nothing
but their clubs."

"No, they certainly would not think of doing that, Marion. But the
chances are that they have got guns, and that they left them in the bush
when they sallied out, as they wanted to look peaceful and take us by
surprise."

"I did not think of that, Wilfrid. Yes, perhaps they have guns. Well,
you know, it has always been agreed that in case of danger three shots
should be fired as a warning to those who might be out. If we fire and
they hear it they will hurry back."

"Yes, but they might be shot as they make their way down to the house;
that is what I am afraid of."

Marion was silent for a minute. "Do you know where they have gone to,
Wilfrid?"

"They have gone in the first place to the clearing with those two big
trees standing in the centr