Part 30 (1/2)

His remarks to himself were interrupted by Biddy's voice

”Sure, we've been after bringing yer one of thiit it up there?”

And, looking down, he saw her and Mangaleesu carrying a swivel gun between the a rope than was Biddy, who at once climbed up to the platform

The swivel was soon hoisted up, and aleesu in the ht out the other, which in like ot into position

”Now for the ht i actually in coly

Biddy, Mangaleesu, and Kalinda quickly returned withyourselves out in the fashi+on I told Maud that you must all do; and be ready to come up here as soon as the Zulus reach the bank of the river, from which they can see us clearly”

Percy had at first made the proposal half in fun, but his sisters and Biddy took it in right down earnest, although he scarcely supposed that they would really do as he proposed He had aleesu understand that he e, as it would require the strength of the whole party to perform the operation

He did not, however, intend to hoist it up until the Zulus approached nearer, as he hoped before that time that not only Crawford would have arrived, but that his brother and the e, when looking through the telescope, the Zulus were preparing to enca

He had kept his glass continually fixed on them to watch their movements; it now occurred to him to turn it in the opposite direction, when to his satisfaction he saw that Crawford had alot up to the faraleesu, aiting below, to open the gate

Just as Crawford, leading his horse and the quagga filly--as ta ladies caested, with hats and coats, sashes round their waists, and rifles in their hands He started with astonisheladies,” he said, ”but I did not at first know you in your disguise Did you take me for an enemy?”

”We should not have let you in so easily,” answered Helen ”Percy has seen the Zulus approaching, and being afraid that they would attack the fort before you and Rupert had returned, we have got ready to defend it to the best of our power”

”I consider that Percy is h I have no doubt that you have made the best preparations for defence,” said Crawford, inclined to treat the whole affair as a joke

”Sure, if the ineht about,” cried Biddy, flourishi+ng the captain's sword

”Let me secure ht for you, Miss Helen; I will then join Percy, and ascertain what is likely to happen,” said Crawford

Helen duly thanked the young Englishift, but as the little anirow restive, and kick, scream, and prance about, she did not show any inclination to approach it

Crawford having taken his horse and little captive round to the yard, hurried up to the platforh the telescope, he was satisfied Percy was right in supposing that the people he saw below the hill were Zulus They were probably not aware that they could be distinguished at so great a distance He then turned his glass in the direction he hoped Rupert and his on,” he exclai very slowly I tell you what, Percy, the best thing I can do is to set off and hasten Rupert and his on than to have them cut off Depend upon it, I'll not spare whip or spur”

”Thank you, Mr Crawford; pray go by all means,” said Mrs Broderick, who had just then co Rupert start, but I pray that he may be back before the Zulus reach the river”

”No fear of that,for hion too, with its load of e”

Crawford, without further delay, threw himself on his horse, while Percy returned to the platform to watch what the Zulus were about

”They are still halting,” he shouted out, ”though I suspect they will send forward scouts to reconnoitre our fortifications Coirls; come up, Biddy, and show yourselves on the rauns, but it may be wiser not to let them know that we are prepared for them until they come nearer, as they probably expect to take us by surprise, and the disappointreater when they see ar ladies and Biddy quickly climbed up, and Percy placed them at intervals, with muskets on their shoulders, and told them to walk about like sentinels

”Now, Biddy, flourish your sword, and make it flash in the sun That will do famously They'll see it in the distance, and suppose that we have a dozenany alarhed heartily at Biddy's veheestures, as she carried out Percy's directions to the full Now she rushed to one end of the platfors by various war shouts in her native Celtic

”You, Helen, keep a look-out on Crawford, and tell lass, having first taken a glance through it himself