s brothers instead. Then Peters saw his chance, and--kicked.
Right in the pit of the stomach it caught the man who was giving him
most trouble. With a gasp of anguish this fellow staggered back, then
doubling up, toppled down the shaft behind him. Quick as lightning, and
taking advantage of the momentary panic, Peters shot forth his left
fist, and caught Inyovu under the jaw. It was a regular knock-out blow,
and Inyovu dropped. The other, however, still hung on, and, looking up,
the reason for this became clear.

Heading for the spot at a run came quite a number of natives, and
shields and assegais glancing through the sparse bush told upon what
sort of errand were these. It was manifest that the rising had begun.

Do what he would Peters could not throw off his wiry antagonist, who
hung on to him like a terrier, utterly impervious to kicks or blows, the
object being to prevent him from effecting his escape until the others
should come up, and then--good-night! The Makalaka boys had already
taken to their heels and were fleeing wildly.

Then fortune favoured him. His adversary slipped on a loose stone, and
in trying to save himself loosed the hand which had been gripping the
revolver holster. It was a slip there was no retrieving, and in a
twinkling a bullet crashed through his ribs, sending him spinning round
and round, to flatten out, face downward, to the earth.

A wild shout went up from the advancing savages. At them Peters sent
one look and pointed his pistol. No, they were not near enough for a
shot to prove effective, but quite near enough for him to start
running--and that at nearly his best pace--homeward, for he had no
horse.

As he turned to run, the pursuing Matabele set up a series of the most
appalling yells; which, however, so far from appalling the object of
their pursuit, caused him to laugh grimly to himself as he thought how
these idiots were wasting wind in making a wholly unnecessary noise.

Peters was as hard as nails, and absolutely sound in wind and limb--yet
he started handicapped by reason of the strain upon both effected by his
recent struggle. And he had about two miles to cover before reaching
the homestead. Even then, was safety there? Lamont might not have
returned, in all probability would not have--and then these might waylay
and murder him at their leisure; whereas the two of them might have made
a good show of defence. Of Ancram's presence he took no account
whate