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.

"Fire not upon the woman!" he cried. "Who harms her, dies. Take
the woman alive!"

The Arabs rushed across the room; the Waziri met them with their
heavy spears. Swords flashed, long-barreled pistols roared out their
sullen death dooms. Mugambi launched his spear at the nearest of
the enemy with a force that drove the heavy shaft completely through
the Arab's body, then he seized a pistol from another, and grasping
it by the barrel brained all who forced their way too near his
mistress.

Emulating his example the few warriors who remained to him fought
like demons; but one by one they fell, until only Mugambi remained
to defend the life and honor of the ape-man's mate.

From across the room Achmet Zek watched the unequal struggle and
urged on his minions. In his hands was a jeweled musket. Slowly
he raised it to his shoulder, waiting until another move should
place Mugambi at his mercy without endangering the lives of the