Bobby Browne and Deppingham were covering the retreat, prepared to fight to the end for their women, although unarmed.

It was the American who first realised that Baillo was not heading an attack upon them.

He managed to convey this intelligence to the others and in a moment they were listening in wonder to the explanations of the major-domo.
Surprising as it may appear, the majority of the servants were faithful to their trust, Baillo and a score of his men had refused to join the stable men and gardeners in the plot to assassinate the white people.

As a last resort, the conspirators contrived to steal into the chateau, hoping to fall upon their victims before Baillo could interpose.

The major-domo, however, with the wily sagacity of his race, anticipated the move.