Part 3 (2/2)
”Arabs,” he explained ”They coood purpose in the absence of the Great Bwana”
Beyond the neat lawn and the flowering shrubs, Jane Clayton saw the glistening bodies of her Waziri The sun glanced froeous colors in the feathers of their war bonnets, and reflected the high-lights froh cheek bones
Jane Clayton surveyed thes of pride and affection What harm could befall her with such as these to protect her?
The raiders had halted now, a hundred yards out upon the plain Mugambi had hastened down to join his warriors He advanced a few yards before theers Achht in his saddle before his henchambi ”What do you here?”
”We coo in peace,” replied Mugambi ”We do not want you here There can be no peace between Arab and Waziri”
Mugah not born in Waziri, had been adopted into the tribe, which now contained no member more jealous of its traditions and its prowess than he
Ach to his ed volley was poured into the ranks of the Waziri A couple of warriors fell, the others were for charging the attackers; but Mugambi was a cautious as well as a brave leader He knew the futility of charging mounted men armed with arden Sorounds surrounding the bungalow Half a dozen he sent to the bungalow itself with instructions to keep their mistress within doors, and to protect her with their lives
Adopting the tactics of the desert fighters froallop in a long, thin line, describing a great circle which drew closer and closer in toward the defenders
At that part of the circle closest to the Waziri, a constant fusillade of shots was poured into the bushes behind which the black warriors had concealed themselves The latter, on their part, loosed their slim shafts at the nearest of the enemy
The Waziri, justly famed for their archery, found no cause to blush for their perforain some swarthy horseman threw hands above his head and toppled from his saddle, pierced by a deadly arrow; but the contest was uneven The Arabs outnumbered the Waziri; their bullets penetrated the shrubbery and found marks that the Arab riflemen had not even seen; and then Achalow, tore down a section of the fence, and led his rounds
Across the fields they charged at a ain did they pause to lower fences, instead, they drove their wild htly as winged gulls
Muga those of his warriors who realow and the last stand Upon the veranda Lady Greystoke stood, rifle in hand More than a single raider had accounted to her steady nerves and cool aile pony raced, riderless, in the wake of the charging horde
Mugareater security of the interior, and with his depleted force prepared to ainst the foe
On cauns above their heads Past the veranda they raced, pouring a deadly fire into the kneeling Waziri who discharged their volley of arrows fro, oval shi+elds-shi+elds well adapted, perhaps, to stop a hostile arrow, or deflect a spear; but futile, quite, before the leaden missiles of the riflealow other bowreater security, and after the first assault, Mugaain and again the Arabs charged, at last for a stationary circle about the little fortress, and outside the effective range of the defenders' arrows From their new position they fired at will at the s One by one the Waziri fell Fewer and feere the arrows that replied to the guns of the raiders, and at last Ach as they ran, the bloodthirsty horde raced for the veranda A dozen of them fell to the arrows of the defenders; but the un butts fell upon it The crash of splintered wood led with the report of a rifle as Jane Clayton fired through the panels upon the relentless foe
Upon both sides of the door ave to the vicious assaults of the maddened attackers; it crumpled inward and a dozen swarthy -room At the far end stood Jane Clayton surrounded by the reuardians The floor was covered by the bodies of those who already had given up their lives in her defense In the forefront of her protectors stood the giant Mugambi The Arabs raised their rifles to pour in the last volley that would effectually end all resistance; but Acher fingers
”Fire not upon the woman!” he cried ”Who harms her, dies Take the woman alive!”
The Arabs rushed across the room; the Waziri -barreled pistols roared out their sullen death dooambi launched his spear at the nearest of the eneh the Arab's body, then he seized a pistol fro it by the barrel brained all who forced their way too near hishis exaht like deambi remained to defend the life and honor of the ape-man's mate
Frole and urged on his minions In his hands was a jeweleduntil anotherthe lives of the woman or any of his own followers
At last the er Without a sound the brave Mugambi sank to the floor at the feet of Jane Clayton