y will
have to go out to graze in the daytime, and keep Jack here. I do not
know about the other men, and one doesn't seem able to trust the natives
in the slightest; but I feel sure of Jack, and he would be useful to us
in many ways in the house, besides being able to scout in the woods far
better than we could do."

"I think that you are right, Mr. Renshaw," Mr. Atherton said. "I should
propose as an addition that the Allens here and I make this our
head-quarters while the scare lasts. We could run up a light shanty with
a few hours' work just behind the house. The Allens could go over to
their work during the day and return here at night, and I should wander
about the woods with my gun as usual. I do not think we need fear any
attack in the daytime. If it comes at all it will be at night or at
early morning. The natives will know from the men who were here that you
are well armed, and will try to catch you napping. We won't be any more
trouble to you than we can help, and with the addition of our three guns
I think we could defend ourselves against any number of natives. What do
you think of my proposal, lads?"

The Allens said at once that they thought it was an excellent one, if
Mr. and Mrs. Renshaw were willing to have the trouble of them.

"It will be no trouble at all," Mrs. Renshaw said, "and will be a very
great comfort. With seven men to protect us Marion and I shall feel
perfectly safe, and it will be in all ways pleasant to have you here
with us. I do not see that you need build a hut outside at all. There
will be no difficulty in making up beds here and in the kitchen, and
then we shall be all together."

"But I do not propose that you should cook for us, Mrs. Renshaw. If we
had a hut of our own our boys could do that for us. You see, we are
coming up here for our own defence as well as yours."

"I should not think of such a thing," Mrs. Renshaw said decidedly.
"There is no more trouble in cooking for nine than there is for six;
and, as I have said, it will be a real pleasure to us to have you
stopping here."

"Very well. Then in that case, Mrs. Renshaw, we will accept your
invitation. I will bring over my belongings to-day and store them in
your loft above, and the Allens had better bring over anything they do
not want burnt by the natives. I still hope that these outrages are the
work of a few ruffians, and that the natives in general will not allow
themselves to be persuaded into hostilities agai