The others paused for a moment, and then, with a fierce yell, ran forward.
The moment he had fired, Dick dropped the stock of his gun on to the ground, snatched a cartridge from the bandolier, bit off the end, and emptied the powder into the barrel, gave the gun a shake, so as to be sure that it ran into the touch hole, and then rammed down the bullet.
As he was in the act of doing so, Surajah fired, and a loud yell told that his shot had been successful.
Dick sprang to the door as Surajah entered.

Two shots at the same instant rang out; but, at even so short a distance, the bullets went wide.

Dick stepped out, and in turn fired.

One of the two men fell; the other threw down his musket, and fled up the road.
"Thank goodness that is over," Dick exclaimed.

"I thought they had no chance with us, here.