I should explain that during our
stay in Beza Town we had taught her how to use a rifle.
I called to him to send her away, but again she would not go, even
after a bullet had pierced her dress.
Still, all our shooting could not stop that rush of men, made
desperate by the fear of a fiery death. Leaving many stretched out
behind them, the first of the Arabs drew near to the south gate.
"My father," said Mavovo in my ear, "now the real fighting is going to
begin. The gate will soon be down. /We/ must be the gate."
I nodded, for if the Arabs once got through, there were enough of them
left to wipe us out five times over. Indeed, I do not suppose that up
to this time they had actually lost more than forty men. A few words
explained the situation to Stephen and Brother John, whom I told to
take his daughter to her mother and wait there with them. The Mazitu I
ordered to throw down their guns, for if they kept these I was sure
they would shoot some of us, and to accompany us, bringing their
spears only.
Pages:
546
547
548
549
550
551
552
553
554
555
556
557
558
559
560
561
562
563
564
565
566
567
568
569
570