the faint splash of paddles in the water coming from the direction of the right bank of the river and rapidly approaching our little landing-stage.
We strained our eyes in the darkness, and could make out a dark blur on the surface of the water. It was a boat. Then there was a momentary spurt of flame. Some one had struck a match. By its light I recognized one figure, the red-bearded Dutchman of the villa at Muizenberg. The others were natives.
"Quick—back to the hut."
Harry swept me back with him. He took down a couple of rifles and a revolver from the wall.
"Can you load a rifle?"
"I never have. Show me how."
I grasped his instructions well enough. We closed the door and Harry stood by the window which overlooked the landing-stage. The boat was just about to run alongside it.
"Who's that?" called out Harry in a ringing voice.
Any doubt we might have had as to our visitors' intentions was swiftly resolved. A hail of bullets splattered round us. Fortunately neither of us was hit. Harry raised the rifle. It spat murderously, and again and again. I heard two groans and splash.
"That's given 'em something to think about," he muttered grimly, as he reached for the second rifle. "Stand well back, Anne, for God's sake. And load quickly."
More bullets. One just grazed Harry's cheek. His answering fire was more deadly than theirs. I had the rifle reloaded when he turned for it. He caught me close with his left arm and kissed me once savagely before he turned to the window again. Suddenly he uttered a shout.
"They're going—had enough of it. They're a good mark out there on the water, and they can't see how many of us there are. They're routed for the moment—but
