Will and Brown were for speeding them with bullets in the rear, but I yelled again, and this time made myself heard.

Those who had got behind the cattle and were driving them were coming on with spears and shields raised to slay us in passing.

The other two joined me, and we stood on the ant-hill three abreast.

They charged us--seven or eight of them.

Three bit the dust, but the rest came on, and if it had not been for two swift shots from Fred's rifle in the very nick of time we should have all been dead men.
As it was, one seized me by the knees and we went over together, rolling down the ant-hill, he slashing at me with his great broad-bladed spear, I ahold of his wrist with one hand, and with the other fist belaboring him in the face.