The police trooper's horse was offsaddled and put into one of the huts which did duty for stable for a feed and a brief rest, and then the whole party re-entered the store to discuss the situation and a fresh round of drinks. While this was in progress some one reported a party of natives approaching from the open side in front of the house. Quickly Jekyll got out a powerful binocular. "There are about thirty of them," he said, "but they've got no guns-- only knobkerries and some axes. On the face of the latest news I believe they mean mischief. Now, chaps, we'll startle 'em some. They won't know there's a whole crowd of you here. They'll think there's only me and Selwyn to deal with. Who've got guns?" Seven answered in the affirmative. "All right. Now then. You, Carbutt and Harris, get to that front window in t'other room--don't let 'em see you, though. I'll go out in front and _indaba_ them. Selwyn 'll stand in the doorway lighting his pipe--and when I sing out, `Let go,' blaze away into the foremost of them. I shall want some men to go outside at the back of the house, though." All volunteered. "No. You three'll do"--indicating the policeman and two others. "Directly you hear the first shot fired, whip round to the front and blaze into them for all you're worth. See the plan?" "Rather, and an A1 plan it is," said Moseley, who was one of the rearguard, slipping a couple of heavy buckshot cartridges into his shot-gun. Those for behind scrambled through the back windows--the other two were already in position, one armed with a Winchester, the other with a Lee-Metford. Hardly had they done so than the natives emerged from the sparse bush in front. There was nothing warlike in their aspect; indeed, to all appearance, they might have been a gang of boys travelling round to look for work in the mines. They halted about fifty yards from the house, and Jekyll, in pursuance of his plan, strolled about a dozen to meet them. Then he called for a couple of them to come up. Who were they, he asked, and where going? They were looking for work, the spokesman answered. Could the _'Nkose_ take any of them on? Jekyll observed that perhaps he could do with two or three. Selwyn, the English assistant, was standing in the doorway, carelessly lighting his pipe. Others now began stealing up towards the two spokesmen. The savages little knew into what a trap their treachery was leading them. Then a shout arose from among them:-- "_Tyay' Amakiwa_!" [Strike down the whites.]