The sod wall rose higher against the outside wheels of the waggon, and the Gaika had already lopped off a large number of branches from the mimosa-trees, together with some stunted wacht-en-beetje bushes.
“We must close up the ends with bags and boxes. Let us have them out.”
“I can see the colour of their shields now, and some of the men are springing into the air.”
“They mean to attack, then,” said Hume, pausing a moment to glance down the hill. “Put up the five hundred yards’ sight.”
“Hark, I hear them shouting.”
Klaas heard, too, and as he swung the axe, he answered with a deep-chested war-cry.
A moment later there was a dull report, and a bullet whistled overhead.
“By Jove, they have rifles, and there can be no mistake about their intention. Shoot, Laura.”
The little rifle came to the shoulder, and her white cheek was pressed to the butt, but the barrel shook, and she lowered it. She looked round at the two men, and seeing the look of anxiety on their faces as they hurried on with their work, she threw the rifle up again and pressed the trigger.
A deep, booming shout replied.