, found that it had
penetrated her clothing, and only grazed her breast, took time merely to
make sure of this, and then, leaving her in Bertha's hands, returned to
the scene of combat.

He was not an instant too soon. A yell was uttered by the savages as
they rushed at a weak point, where the thorn-bush defences had been
broken down. The point appeared to be undefended. They were about to
leap through in a dense mass when ten Dutchmen, who had reserved their
fire, discharged a volley simultaneously into the midst of them. It was
a ruse of the defenders to draw the savages to that point. Whilst the
Kafirs tumbled back over heaps of dead and dying, several other farmers
thrust masses of impenetrable mimosa bush into the gap and refilled it.
This discomfiture checked the assailants for a little; they drew off and
retired behind the ridge to concert plans for a renewed and more
systematic attack.

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.

TREATS OF VARIOUS STRANGE INCIDENTS, SOME INTERESTING MATTERS, AND A
RESCUE.

While the emigrant farmers were thus gallantly defending themselves, the
party under Hans Marais and Charlie Considine was hastening on their
spoor to the rescue.

Their numbers had been increased by several volunteers, among whom were
George Dally and Scholtz, also David, Jacob, and Hendrik, the sons of
Jan Smit, who had made up their minds not to follow the fortunes of
their savage-tempered sire, but who were at once ready to fly to his
rescue on learning that he was in danger. While passing through the
country they were further reinforced by a band of stout burghers, and by
four brothers named Bowker. There were originally seven brothers of
this family, who afterwards played a prominent part in the affairs of
the colony. One of these Bowkers was noted for wearing a very tall
white hat, in which, being of a literary turn of mind, he delighted to
carry old letters and newspapers. From this circumstance his hat became
known as "the post-office."

Although small, this was about as heroic a band of warriors as ever took
the field--nearly every man being strong, active, a dead shot well
trained to fight with wild beasts, and acquainted with the tactics of
wilder men.

Proceeding by forced marches, they soon drew near to that part of the
country where the beleaguered farmers lay.

One evening, having encamped a little earlier than usual, owing to the
circumstance of their having reached a fountain of clear good