Behind these were a body of about fifteen or sixteen armed men, among whom Silas Croft recognised most of his neighbours, by whose side he had lived for years in peace and amity.
Opposite the house they stopped and began looking about.

They could not see into the room at once, on account of the bright light outside and the shadow within.
"I fancy you will find the birds flown, nephew," said the fat voice of Hans Coetzee.

"They have got warning of your little visit." "They cannot be far off," answered Muller.

"I have had them watched, and know that they have not left the place.

Get down, uncle, and look in the house, and you too, Hendrik." The Kafir obeyed with alacrity, tumbling out of his saddle with all the grace of a sack of coals, but the Boer hesitated.
"Uncle Silas is an angry man," he ventured; "he might shoot if he found me poking about his house." "Don't answer me!" thundered Muller; "get down and do as I bid you!" "Ah, what a devil of a man!" murmured the unfortunate Hans as he hurried to obey.
Meanwhile, Hendrik the one-eyed had jumped upon the verandah and was peering through the windows.
"Here they are, Baas; here they are!" he sung out; "the old cock and the pullet too!" and he gave a kick to the window, which, being unlatched, swung wide, revealing the old man sitting in his wooden armchair, his rifle on his knees, and holding by the hand his fair-haired niece, who was standing at his side.