see under the smoke, and saw two
of their enemies lying dead, whilst a third was jumping about in pain
and rage, a wound from one of the cut bullets having rendered him unfit
for further service. The remaining Matabili, however, though daunted
for a moment, beat their shields and rushed forward: there was, however,
only room for one at a time on the ridge, and their endeavour to precede
each other caused a moment's delay.

"My turn now, Victor," said Hans; and raising his gun, a second
discharge brought two more Matabili to the ground.

"Fire at the leader, Victor," said Hans: "they are going to retreat I'll
pick off the large man near him;" and the two shots in quick succession
killed the two men against whom the aim was taken.

"In with the bullets, Victor," whispered Hans, "before we move. Six out
of ten killed, and one or two wounded, is good; the others will never
stay, they will run for aid to those on before; and I must stop this, or
we shall have near a hundred men upon us in twelve hours or less. You
keep guard here, Victor; I'll cut off these rascals' retreat: mind those
fellows are not shamming. Katrine," called Hans, "it is well; we have
driven away the murdering hounds, and I'm going now to stop the few that
have escaped from telling tales. I'll be back soon."

Hans, by means of some wild vine and creepers, descended from the
opposite side of the small plateau to that by which the Matabili had
advanced: he then ran along the top of the ridge, and made his way
rapidly down to the edge of the bush. He thus commanded the plain along
which he expected the three Matabili would run, who he believed were
likely to follow their main body in order to procure assistance. He
soon saw he was not mistaken in his suppositions; for, crouching so as
to be concealed as much as possible from the view of any one at the
caves, the three men who had escaped the bullets of the two hunters ran
rapidly onwards, and were soon within fifty yards of Hans' position. As
they passed him he raised his gun and made an excellent shot at the
leader, who never moved after he touched the ground, on which he fell
headlong. The two remaining men with wonderful agility darted from
right to left like snipe in their course, and thus gave Hans merely a
snap shot at about one hundred yards. He fired, however, but heard the
harmless whistle of his bullet as it struck the ground, and whizzed far
on ahead of his enemies.

Had the Matabi