Some of them ran to the palisade and began to climb it, but
as they reached the top of the fence were pinned by the Mazitu arrows
and fell backwards, while a few who got over became entangled in the
prickly pears on the further side and were promptly speared. Giving up
this attempt, they rushed back along the lane with the intention of
escaping at the north-gate. But before ever they reached the head of
the market-place the roaring, wind-swept flames, leaping from hut to
hut, had barred their path. They could not face that awful furnace.
Now they took another counsel and in a great confused body charged
down the market-place to break out at the south gate, and our turn
came. How we raked them as they sped across the open, an easy mark! I
know that I fired as fast as I could using two rifles, swearing the
while at Hans because he was not there to load for me. Stephen was
better off in this respect, for, looking round, to my astonishment I
saw Hope, who had left her mother on the other side of the hill, in
the act of capping his second gun.
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