Now I was at the door in the high wall that enclosed the outbuildings at the back of the house, and there, by an inspiration, pulled up the mare--glad enough she was to stop, poor thing--for it occurred to me that if I rode to the front I should very probably be assegaied and of no further use.

I tried the door, which was made of stout stinkwood planks.

By design, or accident, it had been left unbolted.

As I thrust it open Hans arrived with a rush, clinging to the roan with his face hidden in its mane.

The beast pulled up by the side of the mare which it had been pursuing, and in the faint light I saw that an assegai was fixed in its flank.
Five seconds later we were in the yard and locking and barring the door behind us.