Christina screamed as her horse bounded and carried her forward out of the water. Koos did not fall, but caught it by the rein and dragged her from the saddle. He held her close, with his left arm about her and his rifle in his right hand, pistol-fashion.
"'Shoot again, rooinek,' he cried mockingly. 'You will be sure to hit one of us.' And then he fired.
"At the same moment Mynheer van der Poel, in the water up- stream, fired, and the Englishman fell on to the bow of his saddle. The horse dashed down the water, and Koos, gripping the screaming girl, heard young Hendrik shoot again.
"There was silence for a minute then, and Mynheer van der
Poel climbed out of the water and called to Hendrik.
"'Have you got him?' he cried.
"'Yes,' answered the boy; 'I am holding him up, but he is still alive.'
"'Can he stand?' cried the old man.
"'No,' came the answer from the water.
"'Then drown him,' commanded the father. 'I will come down and help.'
"When he had climbed down into the water again Koos laid the girl down. She was still white; her senses had fled. Presently as he was binding his leg he heard the father say—