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