“That is the first thing which will be done after this little affair here is settled,” exclaimed John, with some energy.
“The Tuolos are close at hand,” cried out George. The latter came down the tree in a hurry now.
“Where are the Kurabus?”
“Some of them are trying to break across the country to the east.”
“Let us keep the same order we did four days ago.”
Uraso needed no instructions, but he had never yet fired one of the guns, and he really felt ashamed when he saw Muro, Chump and Sutoto with guns.
John saw the situation at once, and placed him by the side of Muro, who told him hurriedly what to do. The character of the attack on the part of the Tuolos was sufficient to inform the occupants of the wagon that they knew who were before them. It is singular, however, that neither the Kurabus nor the Illyas knew of it being in that spot.
This intimate knowledge of the situation was brought about by the Tuolos’ perfect system of scouting the country, and this ignorance on the part of the two fighting tribes could be excused only on the ground that they were making the fight of their lives, and had enough to do to keep out of the way of the advancing Brabos and Osagas.
As the Tuolos rushed to the wagon all the garrison were collected together at that side, and when they had come within less than a hundred and fifty feet, John ordered the first volley.
“Cease firing and reload,” he ordered.