Nalasu had discovered their trap, circled about it, and in the rear encountered and slain Anno himself, the father, thus doubling the blood-debt.
Then had come his accident.

While refilling many-times used Snider cartridges, an explosion of black powder put out both his eyes.
Immediately thereafter, while he sat nursing his wounds, the Annos had descended upon him--just what he had expected.

And for which he had made due preparation.

That night two uncles and another brother stepped on poisoned thorns and died horribly.

Thus the sum of lives owing the Annos had increased to five, with only a blind man from whom to collect.
Thenceforth the Annos had feared the thorns too greatly to dare again, although ever their vindictiveness smouldered and they lived in hope of the day when Nalasu's head should adorn their ridgepole.