"Well, three of them boys went out--Oll, and Harry, and Willie--and there were a terrible how-de-do out there, shoutin' an' whistlin', and bangin'; the dogs barking fit to bust themselves, the ole red bull bellering, and the fowls that had flew to the roof cackling all together. My! I were skeered, and Tom, he looked if he'd bolt inter the tub along with me, but he jes' kep on pouring out the powder. "Then I yeard `Hurrah,' and ole Tolver tore open the door, and Tom most split his throat. "The Kaffirs were on the run, and when I crep' out, I seed Harry a tearin' up the hill arter them, with Will at his heels, then--oh, lad!-- oh, lad!--from the wood there came out, swift and silent, a party of Kaffirs led by the chief Tyali, and they cut between the three boys and the house. "I yeard Oll shout, `Back! Turn back!' then again, `Together, brothers!'--and the three, clubbing their rifles, went straight at the chief and his men, an' ole Tolver dancing about at the door, fearing to shoot, and Tom staring with his eyes wide, and the powder running from the horn on the floor. "Then there were a whirling crowd of men, and the smack of sticks--and the `thud--thud--thud,'--and groans--and out of the pack Oll lurched, carrying Willie, whose head lay back limp. "He came along like a tipsy man--rolling--with his mouth fixed in a smile, and the blood running from his head. "When he were near the door a Kaffir stabbed him in the back, and the ole baas shot the Kaffir. "Then Oll reeled back, and he spoke in gasps, `I can't--go--any-- further--father--take Will--he's hurt,'--then he jes' sank to the ground, and rolled over. "Seth brought Willie in, and laid him down on the floor. "And ole man Tolver stood outside the door calling for a loaded gun; and then he sprang at a Kaffir who were stooping to stab Oll, and broke the stock of his gun. "I were by the door, 'cause I had no strength to move, and I seed someone pass. "`Get into the house, father,' he sed, `and hold it.' "It were Jake; and in his hand he held the axe he took away in the morning. "He put his hand on his father's shoulder a moment `Get back,' he sed, `for the sake of the boys,' and then he ran up to where the Kaffirs still swarmed around Harry. He opened a lane with his axe. I tell you I thought it were like splitting water-melons, and I laughed, and Jimmie, he cried. The Kaffirs gave way, crouching and holding their shields up. Then Jake lifted Harry, who were on his knees, and carried him down. As he came, the whole lot of them--maybe five hundred--came with a rush; then Jimmie dashed out, and took Harry from his brother, and Jake stood out alone. "`Shut the door!' he shouted loud and stern; `do you hear--shut it!' "The old baas looked wildly at Seth; and Seth he shook his head. "`Shut it,' sed Jake; `in the name of our mother!' and the ole man with a sort of groan pulled the door to, jamming my fingers.