Brave as they were, they hesitated to incur the consequences until other means had failed.
Professor Ernest Grimcke now did a most daring thing.

The fierce welcome he had given the attacking Murhapas resulted in their temporary demoralization.

Knowing they would speedily recover, he decided to take advantage of the panic by an attempt to intensify it.
Striding to the door he paused on the very threshold and peered out upon the large space in his field of vision.
Fully a hundred savages were in sight.

Apparently they had been crowding around the entrance when the shots from within caused a hasty scattering.

They had halted a dozen yards or so away, where they were talking excitedly, still frightened and enraged, and with no thought of relinquishing the fight.
They had withdrawn so far from the front of the building that they were in the strong moonlight, and consequently in full view of the white man, who saw others of the natives hurrying from the right and left.
Among them were women and children and the confusion and excitement were fearful.
Standing thus, Grimcke again raised his repeater and deliberately opened fire on the crowd.