The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-11-29

Dy the river 1t was followed by an
other, and another, and another and
another, coming on like wild ducks in
a V or wedge, and from the heart OF
the shadows came u low hum-the song
of the impis.
"How many" the mother asked, as
the moon shonc out, and Piet told her
there were about 20, with shields and
assagas, for in those days firearms
were not common among the kaflir
tribes as now.
"A raiding party" said yrouw Put
ter, and took command. Piet was eager
to fire at once, but she forbade. The
children were very quiet though trem
bling. The savagcs came on and halt
ed, and came on again, now silent and
apparently puzzled at there being no
sign of life about the house. As the
coop stood it could not be readily dis
cerned in the shadow Of the slope.
Again the Zulus advanced.
"Mother," said Piet. "if they get close
to the house they will fire it,
She nodded, but waited until the say
ages were only so yaI.s away then
Fire. she whispered, and from her
own loophole and from Piet's at the
same instant streamed flame, and the
Zulus gave one great cry of rage and
astonishment, as two Of their number
threw their arms high and fell, their
shields gathering beside them. At once
little Greta and Pretorius did their part.
and with Incredible bravery in such in
fants forbore even to tremble, but
handed up fresh guns while the two
defenders passed the empty ones down
to be loaded by these small but trained
fingers. The Zulus, however, did not
fall back Furious at being taken by
surprise they dashed at the little fort,
and a shower Of spears came clashing
against the stone walls. Crack! again
went the guns, and again a howl of
pain resounded through the night. The
Zulus were almost in touch Of the fort,
and were pressing onward, one on top
of the other, with their ferocious yells,
when q tall man among them with an
iron ring on his head, sign Of an induna
chief, shouted command and at once
his warriors fell back.
Mother" cried Piet, as they seized
fresh rifles, don't let them think that
we are so few. Greta and Pretorius,
load as fast as you can. Mother, let us
fire continuously and, thinking we are
numerous, they will retire"
yrouw Putter nodded consent, and
at once these two valiant defenders of
hearth and home began from the half
dozen firearms at their disposal to pour
bullets into the retreating crowd OF
naked blacks. They could not tell what
actual effect their missiles had, save
for an occasional cry from the war
riors, but they hoped that so quick and
whitening q fire would deceive the par
ty. In this manner, however, they
used up a good deal Of ammunition
from the two boxes Of cartridges Piet
had carried to the chicken coop.
With hardly pause, the induna gave
his savages their instructions, and sud-
denly they ran apart from one another
in the moonlight and surrounded the
henhouse and came at it from three
sides. Now, indeed. the besieged were
hard put to it, but never quailed. Greta
took the lightest rifle and, little girl
though shelwas, her father and brother
and even her mother had taught her to
use it. She took position, q white faced
heroine, at one side, and her mother
and Piet in tAeir old places. Down
came the Zulus. casting spears before
them, and sheltered by their long.
tough bullhide shields. Crack crack!
crack! swiftly the rifles rang out, and
still the Zulus rushed on. The fingers
of little Prctorius were busy on the
floor of the hut, loading the rifles now
getting hot. Crack! crack! The savaSes
reached the wall: one scrambled to the
roof; he thrust spear down crack.
The Beers wife cried out; her shoulder
was pierced. But Piet's voice was tri-
umphant, as yell came from the in
duna himself.
81 aimed for the chief and got him!'
cried the boy. and indeed the induna
seemed badly hurt, for he limped back,
supported and again called off his
soldiers. Piet ran to his mother and
helped her bandage the wounded arm.
1T is nothing" she said bravely, and
added more softly, nor my life, either,
if children and home are saved"
Suddenly little Prctorius cried out in
"Piet," he said "there are no more
cartridges
1t was true. One box was empty, and
the other covered box did not hold am
munition Piet looked and despaired.
Two gold prospcctors had been staying
at the farm who used dynamite in their
work. They had gone off at sign of
trouble, but had left some tools and
things behind. In this box which Piet
had carried of for ammunition were
instead some sticks of dynamite.
I- have = betrayed = my fathers
trustr' cried Piet. my mistake has
been our ruin!"
And he flung himself in despair
against the wall But his mother. find
ing nothing but empty guns. knceled
quietly down and prayed, her babies
about her. She had done all she could.
The rest lay with higher power.
For Il moment Piet was crazy, and
then recovered himself He looked
through his loophole. The Zulus were
IN group quite q hundred yards away,
almost indistinguishable in the night.