Meanwhile the native defenders, acting on the advice of Captain Antonio, had betaken themselves to the bush, as if in headlong flight.
Concealed by the trees, however, they ran on, and actually passed the invaders.
Then a halt was called.
Antonio had formed his men, about thirty in number, into a rallying square, and when still at a distance of four hundred yards, they opened fire upon the savages with deadly precision.
Many a black-skin fell on the coral sands, never to move again, and very many more were wounded.
But nothing could stem their wild rush. Once, indeed, they paused for a minute or two to fire a volley.
Antonio’s men, seeing their intention, threw themselves flat on the ground just as they took aim, and the bullets from those Brummagem rifles went harmlessly whistling through the air.
The savages now threw down their guns, apparently determined to end the fight with club and spear and sword.
Again their wild slogans rent the air; once more a telling volley was fired; once more two rockets tore through their ranks. Then Antonio, knowing the futility of standing up with so small a force against six hundred demons incarnate, quickly gave the order, and he and his men disappeared in the bush.
Here, protected from the spears that might be hurled against them, they could fire from behind every tree.