tch. The chief of the village, accompanied by two or three
of his men, now stepped forward.

"Ask the sahibs," he said to Yossouf, "why they are in such a
hurry--why they want to start in the heat of the day? They had
better wait till it is cooler."

Will did not wait for Yossouf's translation, but answered direct:

"We have duties at the camp, and must return at once."

The chief was surprised that one of the young officers should speak
his tongue so fluently.

"It looks as if you were not pleased with the hospitality of our
village," he said, "that you should hurry away so quickly."

"We are content with it--so far--but we must be off, now.

"Bring up the ponies quickly," he said to Yossouf. "Never mind
those things, there is not a moment to be lost."

Yossouf and the servants brought up the ponies. The chief laid his
hand on one of the bridles, and drew a pistol.

"Kaffir dogs," he said, "you shall not leave us, at all."

Will's hand was already on his revolver and, before the chief could
level his pistol, he fired; and the Afghan fell dead.

There was a shout of rage from the others, and their long
matchlocks were leveled It was well the party were prepared, or all
might have been shot down, at once; but the instant Will fired, his
friends raised their double-barreled guns to their shoulders and
let fly the contents among the Afghans who--thrown into confusion
by the sudden and unexpected attack--fired wildly, several of them
dropping, from the effects of the shot.

"Now," Will shouted, "to the house, everyone of you!"

There was a rush and, before the Afghans knew what had happened,
the little party had burst through those standing at the door of
the house, and had barred and bolted it within. There were but two
men inside; and these, running upstairs, leaped from the windows. A
wild screaming was heard from the women and children.

"Yossouf, tell these women that we don't want to hurt them; but
that they must be silent, and keep the children quiet, We have got
enough to think about without this frightful row, inside. Then,
when you have got them quiet, put them all in one room together,
upstairs, and keep guard at the door. See that none of them leave
the room; for they might steal down and open the door, to admit
their friends, while we are busy.

"What! Fortescue, are you hit?"

"I am done for!" the young officer replied, faintly; "one of their
bullets has gone through my body; but never mind