The slaves were distracted. Those who were joined together by chains ran to the quarry and huddled in a crowd. Those who were free to go whither they listed ran to and fro, filling the air with their cries. As for de Costa, he could do nothing but wring his hands and look about him for some place of safety.
Max, by the sheer weight of the slaves with whom he was yoked, was dragged onward to the quarry. He tried to assure them that there was nothing whatsoever to fear, but they were incapable of understanding a word of what he said.
In those brief moments it was only the prompt action of the Arabs that saved Cæsar's life. The Portuguese had been shot in the chest. He was unconscious for no longer than a few seconds, and then he struggled to an elbow.
When they saw that their master was alive two Arabs hastened towards him and lifted him in their arms. Under a perfect hail of fire from the six rifles on the hills they bore him to a place of safety at the southern extremity of the lake where a long canoe was moored. They could not cross at the bridge, since it was immediately under fire from the granite hills.
Then followed a race--a race for the stockade. Harden, Crouch, and the four Fans appeared upon the crest-line, and thence came down into the valley with a cheer.
In the meantime, the Arabs so plied their paddles that the canoe shot across the lake like a dart, dividing the water at the prow into two long feathery waves. When they sprang ashore, a little above the place where the Englishmen had landed on the day they first came to Makanda, M'Wané, who was leading the attack, was not fifty paces distant.
The Fan chieftain dropped upon his knees to fire, and missed. And a moment later the door of the stockade was closed.
M'Wané retreated no less hastily than he had come, with the bullets flying at his heels, splashing in the sand. Halfway up the slope he met Edward Harden striding forward, rifle in hand.
"Too late!" he cried. "Master, why did not the white wizard teach me to shoot like you?"
Edward smiled, and placed a hand on M'Wané's shoulder.