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〃Why； Mugambi！〃 she exclaimed。 〃What has happened？ Why are
you lowering the shutters？〃
Mugambi pointed out across the plain to where a white…robed force of
mounted men was now distinctly visible。
〃Arabs；〃 he explained。 〃They come for no good purpose in the
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absence of the Great Bwana。〃
Beyond the neat lawn and the flowering shrubs； Jane Clayton saw the
glistening bodies of her Waziri。 The sun glanced from the tips of their
metal…shod spears； picked out the gorgeous colors in the feathers of their
war bonnets； and reflected the high…lights from the glossy skins of their
broad shoulders and high cheek bones。
Jane Clayton surveyed them with unmixed feelings of pride and
affection。 What harm could befall her with such as these to protect her？
The raiders had halted now； a hundred yards out upon the plain。
Mugambi had hastened down to join his warriors。 He advanced a few
yards before them and raising his voice hailed the strangers。 Achmet Zek
sat straight in his saddle before his henchmen。
〃Arab！〃 cried Mugambi。 〃What do you here？〃
〃We come in peace；〃 Achmet Zek called back。
〃Then turn and go in peace；〃 replied Mugambi。 〃We do not want you
here。 There can be no peace between Arab and Waziri。〃
Mugambi； although not born in Waziri； had been adopted into the tribe；
which now contained no member more jealous of its traditions and its
prowess than he。
Achmet Zek drew to one side of his horde； speaking to his men in a
low voice。 A moment later； without warning； a ragged volley was poured
into the ranks of the Waziri。 A couple of warriors fell； the others were for
charging the attackers； but Mugambi was a cautious as well as a brave
leader。 He knew the futility of charging mounted men armed with
muskets。 He withdrew his force behind the shrubbery of the garden。
Some he dispatched to various other parts of the grounds surrounding the
bungalow。 Half a dozen he sent to the bungalow itself with instructions
to keep their mistress within doors； and to protect her with their lives。
Adopting the tactics of the desert fighters from which he had sprung；
Achmet Zek led his followers at a gallop in a long； thin line； describing a
great circle which drew closer and closer in toward the defenders。
At that part of the circle closest to the Waziri； a constant fusillade of
shots was poured into the bushes behind which the black warriors had
concealed themselves。 The latter； on their part； loosed their slim shafts at
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the nearest of the enemy。
The Waziri； justly famed for their archery； found no cause to blush for
their performance that day。 Time and again some swarthy horseman threw
hands above his head and toppled from his saddle； pierced by a deadly
arrow； but the contest was uneven。 The Arabs outnumbered the Waziri；
their bullets penetrated the shrubbery and found marks that the Arab
riflemen had not even seen； and then Achmet Zek circled inward a half
mile above the bungalow； tore down a section of the fence； and led his
marauders within the grounds。
Across the fields they charged at a mad run。 Not again did they
pause to lower fences； instead； they drove their wild mounts straight for
them； clearing the obstacles as lightly as winged gulls。
Mugambi saw them coming； and； calling those of his warriors who
remained； ran for the bungalow and the last stand。 Upon the veranda
Lady Greystoke stood； rifle in hand。 More than a single raider had
accounted to her steady nerves and cool aim for his outlawry； more than a
single pony raced； riderless； in the wake of the charging horde。
Mugambi pushed his mistress back into the greater security of the
interior； and with his depleted force prepared to make a last stand against
the foe。
On came the Arabs； shouting and waving their long guns above their
heads。 Past the veranda they raced； pouring a deadly fire into the
kneeling Waziri who discharged their volley of arrows from behind their
long； oval shieldsshields well adapted； perhaps； to stop a hostile arrow；
or deflect a spear； but futile； quite； before the leaden missiles of the
riflemen。
From beneath the half…raised shutters of the bungalow other bowmen
did effective service in greater security； and after the first assault；
Mugambi withdrew his entire force within the building。
Again and again the Arabs charged； at last forming a stationary circle
about the little fortress； and outside the effective range of the defenders'
arrows。 From their new position they fired at will at the windows。 One
by one the Waziri fell。 Fewer and fewer were the arrows that replied to
the guns of the raiders； and at last Achmet Zek felt safe in ordering an
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assault。
Firing as they ran； the bloodthirsty horde raced for the veranda。 A
dozen of them fell to the arrows of the defenders； but the majority reached
the door。 Heavy gun butts fell upon it。 The crash of splintered wood
mingled with the report of a rifle as Jane Clayton fired through the panels
upon the relentless foe。
Upon both sides of the door men fell； but at last the frail barrier gave
to the vicious assaults of the maddened attackers； it crumpled inward and a
dozen swarthy murderers leaped into the living…room。 At the far end stood
Jane Clayton surrounded by the remnant of her devoted guardians。 The
floor was covered by the bodies of those who already had given up their
lives in her defense。 In the forefront of her protectors stood the giant
Mugambi。 The Arabs raised their rifles to pour in the last volley that
would effectually end all resistance； but Achmet Zek roared out a warning
order that stayed their trigger fingers。