They were battering at the door now, but, thank Heaven, Marais had made strong doors, and it held a while.
The wood began to give at last, an assegai appeared through a shattered plank, but Hans stabbed along the line of it with the spear he held, that which I had snatched from the flank of the horse, and it was dropped with a scream.

Black hands were thrust through the hole, and the Hottentot hacked and cut at them with the spear.

But others came, more than he could pierce, and the whole door-frame began to be dragged outwards.
"Now, Marie, be ready," I gasped, lifting the pistol.
"Oh, Christ receive me!" she answered faintly.

"It won't hurt much, will it, Allan ?" "You will never feel anything," I whispered; as with the cold sweat pouring from me I placed the muzzle within an inch of her forehead and began to press the trigger.

My God! yes, I actually began to press the trigger softly and steadily, for I wished to make no mistake.
It was at this very moment, above the dreadful turmoil of the roaring flames, the yells of the savages and the shrieks and groans of wounded and dying men, that I heard the sweetest sound which ever fell upon my ears--the sound of shots being fired, many shots, and quite close by.
"Great Heaven!" I screamed; "the Boers are here to save us.