Chapter Eighteen.
Preparations for the defence.
Mrs Broderick did not feel quite satisfied with herself at having allowed Rupert and so many men to quit the farm. Percy noticed that she was less at her ease than usual. She at length desired him to take a look-out on the platform to ascertain if his brother and Crawford were returning.
“They are not likely to be back for some time,” he answered, “so that I am afraid I shall not be able to report their appearance in the distance.”
“Then, my dear Percy, take a survey of the country round, especially on the opposite side of the river. Perhaps the Zulus may be coming back; and should they find out how few persons there are at the farm, they may demand Mangaleesu, and threaten us with an attack should we refuse to give him up.”
“Pray set your heart at rest on that point, mother,” answered Percy. “I will, as you desire it, take a look round, though I am pretty sure not to see any one. Supposing the Zulus were to come, we would close the gates and keep them out.”
“But when they see only you on the platform they would force it open,” said Mrs Broderick.
“They would find that no easy matter, while I should be peppering them from above,” said Percy, laughing. “I will mount the two swivel guns on the platform above the gate, and I will carry up all our spare rifles, so that I can pop away briskly at the fellows if they approach with hostile intent.”
“Were you to do that, you would expose yourself, and they would soon find out that there was only one person defending the walls,” said Mrs Broderick.