Five seconds later we were in the yard and locking and barring the door
behind us. Then, snatching the saddle-bags of ammunition from the
horses, we left them standing there, and I ran for the back entrance of
the house, bidding Hans rouse the natives, who slept in the
outbuildings, and follow with them. If any one of them showed signs of
treachery he was to shoot him at once. I remember that as I went I tore
the spear out of the stallion's flank and brought it away with me.

Now I was hammering upon the back door of the house, which I could not
open. After a pause that seemed long, a window was thrown wide, and a
voice--it was Marie's--asked in frightened tones who was there.

"I, Allan Quatermain," I answered. "Open at once, Marie. You are in
great danger; the Red Kaffirs are going to attack the house."

She flew to the door in her nightdress, and at length I was in the
place.

"Thank God! you are still safe," I gasped. "Put on your clothes while I
call Leblanc. No, stay, do you call him; I must wait here for Hans and
your slaves."

Away she sped without a word, and presently Hans arrived, bringing with
him eight frightened men, who as yet scarcely knew whether they slept or
woke.

"Is that all?" I asked. "Then bar the door and follow me to the
'sitkammer', where the baas keeps his guns."