The Holly chieftain., 1900-07-06
CHAPTER v.-(Continued. ,

CHAPTER V.-(Continued.)
It was bright moonlight night, and
the pale silvery light fell on the long
rows Of gum treees and netttles, Civ
ing . strange white sheen on their
leaves. and tracing curious checkered
| pattern on the path below. Suddenly.
as Bluebell looked. horseman shot
into vieF-a horse riding straight up
towards the house. Even IS Bluebell.
with sudden little gasping cry drew
back, she saw the rider pause. He
turned his horse round and waved
-something-it looked like pistol
in the air. as II to some one behind
him; then, turning again, rode straight
up the avenue.
Bluebell only waited to see another
and yet another horseman shoot into
view, then, turning quickly to her
door. she opened it and few along the
passage to her fathers room.
She knocked furiously. In moment
her fathers voice demanded sleepily,
Who is there?''
Father. father," she cried. her voice
ringing out clear and strong. though
her heart seemed almost bursting and
her tongue parched and dry. Rise
quickly and get your revolverl The
Beers. they are coming up the avenue!
They are almost on u.s."
She could hear her father mutter
wild oath. At that moment 1t sent a
.shudder through her.
There were only women In the
house. Besides her aunt and herself
there was Marie. the girl they had
had as servant for two years. and two
half-caste Zulu girls. who slept down
stairs The native boys" slept in an
outside shed. Adam Leslie and Blue
bell herself were the only two who
could defend themselves against an
attacking party. for Bluebell had long
since learned to use firearms.
II am ready" cried her father in
moment. Let the villains come on!
I'm more than a match for q score Of
.Boer dogs!"
Father. father. oh, don't speak like
;that!" cried the girl as Leslie flung
open the room door. Let US speak
pleasantly to them. Perhaps, after all.
they have NO unfriendly intentions.
Why should they? We have never
done them any harm. We have al
Ways"
Hist" exclaimed her father. A
horrible spasm had passed over his
face: but at that moment the scume CT
what seemed score Of horses hoofs
sounded under the stoop outside.
and . loud exclamation was uttered.
'''Keesp back. girl! l shall go to the
window myself" said Leslie, in a low
voice.
Bluebell stood back little. At the
same moment a sound OF shrieks be-
hind told her that the servants had
been reused from their slumbers. She
turned and saw Miss Elizabeth, pale
and horror stricken. in her blue dule
'drsssing-gown. her head covered with
the ugly white cap which she always
wore during the night, hurrying
towards her. followed by the Shrek
Ing Marie and the bowling native girls.
Keep them quiet. It will be all
right. suntie. They can't mean US
harm. Il il the Beers" Bluebell said,
In short whispers. for she was listen
ing at the same time to what went on
at the window.
Her father had flung 1t open. A
voice from below called out:
open the door to us, Adam Leslie.
and surrender yourself as our prisoner,
or we shall burn your house about
your ears!"
Bluebell did not recognize the voice,
which. though Dutch In accent, spoke
excellent English. Her father an
svered, In a voice that trembled with
passion:
II will not open the door to you, you
Boer dogs! What do you want with
met"
Better speak civily, for the sake
Of your own life!" retorted the voice
In answer. You're a base informer,
and. but for the kindness Of Almighty
God. we should have been without our
leaders through you! Surrender your
self prisoner. or we'll hang you to the
dearest treee and burn your house and
all It contains! That's the best course
with villains like you!"
II refuse to surrender" shouted
Leslie. beside himself with rage.
He turned to Bluebell Bring me
my revolver-loaded!" he cried. ~
tween his teeth.
But instead OF obeying, Bluebell
sprang forward. and, pushing her
father aside. interposed herself be-
tween him and the window. With
eyes that hardly seemed to see she