Looking back once more I saw that Marie had either failed to get through the window or abandoned the attempt.

At any rate she was standing near the chest supporting herself by her right hand.

In my despair I seized the blade end of the broken assegai and dragged it from the body of the Kaffir, thinking that it would serve to kill her, then turned to do the deed.
But even as I turned I heard a voice that I knew well shout: "Do you live, Marie ?" and in the doorway appeared no savage, but Henri Marais.
Slowly I backed before him, for I could not speak, and the last dreadful effort of my will seemed to thrust me towards Marie.

I reached her and threw my hand that still held the gory blade round her neck.

Then as darkness came over me I heard her cry: "Don't shoot, father.