li been aware that he had no other weapon than his gun,
they would upon this second discharge have endeavoured to close with
him, and with their assagies they might easily have done so before he
could reload; but they knew not either the weapons he used, or whether
there was more than one white man near them, so they were intent only on
retreat. It was with deep disappointment that Hans saw the failure of
his second shot, and at first he thought he might obtain another chance
if he reloaded and ran in pursuit, but the speed at which the Matabili
ran and their well-known endurance, reminded him that he was no match
for them in a foot-race; and so he decided to return at once to Victor,
in order to consult as to the best means to be adopted to meet what he
now, looked upon as certain, viz. an attack in about twelve hours from
at least a hundred infuriated Matabili, who were brave to a degree, and
who would not mind sacrificing some dozen men, in order to at length be
able to bring back to their chief the captives who had, by a temporary
neglect, been given a chance to escape.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

THE FORTIFICATION--WAITING RELIEF--FIGHT TO THE LAST--FRESH WEAPONS--THE
MAIDENS KEEP WATCH--THE SAVAGES' NIGHT ATTACK--THEIR DEFEAT--THE
BATTLE--NEW ALLIES--THE POISONED ARROWS--MORE OF THE ENEMY ARRIVE.

"It is a bad business, Hans, that the Matabili escaped; but it cannot be
helped," was Victor's answer to Hans, upon hearing the result of his
attempt to prevent the escape of any of the party. "What are we to do,
Hans? If we stay here we shall be unable to beat off a hundred men,
though we might succeed against half that number; what shall we do?"

"If the Matabili were not such keen-eyed spoorers, I would recommend
that we made all speed in retreating from this; but it would be no use,
for they would be certain to trace us, and to be hunted down in that way
would be worse than to die here fighting to the last."

"I agree, Hans; so we will stay here. I think, too, we can make this
place stronger. Suppose we cut through that narrow path that leads
here, and raise a bank to protect us from any spears that might be
thrown. We might cut down some stout branches and make a difficult
fence to force a way through, every obstacle will stop the enemy, and
give us time to load. I have found what may be a useful weapon, too,
when our ammunition is all gone, that is a Bushman's bow, and a case of
poisoned arrows. There are t