The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1903-02-13
CHAPTER v.-(Cont,nued.)
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CHAPTER v.-(Continued.)
It was bright moonlight night, and
che pale silvery light fell on the long
rows Of gum trees and netttles, CIV
ing a strange white sheen on their
1saves, and tracing curious checkereo
pattern on the path below. Suddenly
- Bluebeu looked, horseman shot
into view-a horse riding straight up
towards the house. Even as Bluebeli'
with a sudden little gasping cry drew
back, she saw the rider pause. He
turned his horse round and waved
something-t looked like pistol
in the air. as If 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
1assage to her fathers room.
She knocked furiously. In moment
der fathers voice demanded sleepily,
who is there?"
Father, father!" she cried, her voice
singing out clear and strong, though
her heart seemed almost bursting and
her tongue parched and dry. "Rise
quickly and get your revolver! The
Beers. they are coming up the avenue!
They are almost on us!"
She could hear her father mutter a
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
Aalf-caste Zulu girls, who slept down.
stairs. The native 'boys" slept in an
outside shed. Adam Leslie and Blue
Coll herself were the only two who
could defend themselves against an
attacking party, for Bluebell had long
since learned to use firearms.
81 am ready" cried her father in a
moment. Let the villains come on!
I'm more than a match for a 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 scufle Ct
what seemed a score of horses hoofs
sounded under the stoop outside.
and a loud exclamation was uttered.
Keep back, girl! I shall go to the
window myself" said Leslie, in a low
voice.
Bluebell stood back a little. At the
same moment 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 duffle
dressing-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, auntie. They can't mean us
harm. 1t Is the Boers," Bluebell said,
In short whispers, for she was listen
ing at the same time to what went on
ut the window.
Her father had flung it 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
.swered, in voice that trembled with
passion:
Il will not open the door to you, you
Boer dogs! What do you want with
me?"
Better speak civily, for the sake
1t 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
nearest 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, be-
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
looked down on the men below-an
army they seemed to her excited mind
tall. stalwart fellows in khaki and
wide Boer hats, each man armed, and
each with stern and relentless gaze On
che window. In front, on fine, high
stepping horse. sat the man who was
evidently the leadera young man
stressed like the others: but with a
lace not unhandsome though It was
whose merciless determination struck
q cold chill through Bluebell.