What was to be done?
Just then there rose a loud insistent cry outside the wall.
'Open the door, white man; open the door! A herald -- a herald to speak with thee.' Thus cried the voice.
Umslopogaas ran to the wall, and, reaching with his long arms to the coping, lifted his head above it and gazed over.
'I see but one man,' he said.

'He is armed, and carries a basket in his hand.' 'Open the door,' I said.

'Umslopogaas, take thine axe and stand thereby.

Let one man pass.

If another follows, slay.' The door was unbarred.