登陆注册
15320300000013

第13章

Adopting the tactics of the desert fighters from which he had sprung, Achmet Zek led his followers at a gallop in a long, thin line, describing a great circle which drew closer and closer in toward the defenders.

At that part of the circle closest to the Waziri, a constant fusillade of shots was poured into the bushes behind which the black warriors had concealed themselves.The latter, on their part, loosed their slim shafts at the nearest of the enemy.

The Waziri, justly famed for their archery, found no cause to blush for their performance that day.

Time and again some swarthy horseman threw hands above his head and toppled from his saddle, pierced by a deadly arrow; but the contest was uneven.The Arabs outnumbered the Waziri; their bullets penetrated the shrubbery and found marks that the Arab riflemen had not even seen; and then Achmet Zek circled inward a half mile above the bungalow, tore down a section of the fence, and led his marauders within the grounds.

Across the fields they charged at a mad run.Not again did they pause to lower fences, instead, they drove their wild mounts straight for them, clearing the obstacles as lightly as winged gulls.

Mugambi saw them coming, and, calling those of his warriors who remained, ran for the bungalow and the last stand.Upon the veranda Lady Greystoke stood, rifle in hand.More than a single raider had accounted to her steady nerves and cool aim for his outlawry;

more than a single pony raced, riderless, in the wake of the charging horde.

Mugambi pushed his mistress back into the greater security of the interior, and with his depleted force prepared to make a last stand against the foe.

On came the Arabs, shouting and waving their long guns above their heads.Past the veranda they raced, pouring a deadly fire into the kneeling Waziri who discharged their volley of arrows from behind their long, oval shields--shields well adapted, perhaps, to stop a hostile arrow, or deflect a spear; but futile, quite, before the leaden missiles of the riflemen.

From beneath the half-raised shutters of the bungalow other bowmen did effective service in greater security, and after the first assault, Mugambi withdrew his entire force within the building.

Again and again the Arabs charged, at last forming a stationary circle about the little fortress, and outside the effective range of the defenders' arrows.

From their new position they fired at will at the windows.One by one the Waziri fell.Fewer and fewer were the arrows that replied to the guns of the raiders, and at last Achmet Zek felt safe in ordering an assault.

Firing as they ran, the bloodthirsty horde raced for the veranda.A dozen of them fell to the arrows of the defenders; but the majority reached the door.

Heavy gun butts fell upon it.The crash of splintered wood mingled with the report of a rifle as Jane Clayton fired through the panels upon the relentless foe.

Upon both sides of the door men fell; but at last the frail barrier gave to the vicious assaults of the maddened attackers; it crumpled inward and a dozen swarthy murderers leaped into the living-room.

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 鬼道战神

    鬼道战神

    一代天骄叶宇在新婚之夜被自己最心爱的女人杀害,他带着不甘与怨念死去,灵魂侥幸逃脱,为了躲避追杀,游荡于万界的空间缝隙之中居无定所。五百年后,叶宇被迫转修鬼道,他踏着尸山骨海逆天改命,誓要王者归来,把那贱人打下神坛。“你若负我,我必杀之!”
  • 福妻驾到

    福妻驾到

    现代饭店彪悍老板娘魂穿古代。不分是非的极品婆婆?三年未归生死不明的丈夫?心狠手辣的阴毒亲戚?贪婪而好色的地主老财?吃上顿没下顿的贫困宭境?不怕不怕,神仙相助,一技在手,天下我有!且看现代张悦娘,如何身带福气玩转古代,开面馆、收小弟、左纳财富,右傍美男,共绘幸福生活大好蓝图!!!!快本新书《天媒地聘》已经上架开始销售,只要3.99元即可将整本书抱回家,你还等什么哪,赶紧点击下面的直通车,享受乐乐精心为您准备的美食盛宴吧!)
  • 半生须弥

    半生须弥

    喋血江湖的武道世界里,血染的天空下,无数的武者之间彼此争斗,胜利者踩着失败者的身体前行,为了追求强大的力量,不择手段。弱肉强食已经变成了武道世界里的生存法则,一个因为原本有着幸福家庭的少年为了自己的梦想,不断付出努力,却又因为族人的背叛,家破人亡,变成了孤儿,孤身一人闯荡世界。被仇恨附身的少年,行走在黑暗之中的少年,为了复仇,为了复活挚爱之人,为了承担身上的责任,用手中的剑斩断阻挡在前方的一切。天若有情天亦老,天若无情别有天,愿为心中的坚持,倾尽天下……
  • 微见落寞

    微见落寞

    苏见来我家是在我七岁的时候,一贯冷漠的父亲牵着他的手,我蹲在雪地里,羡慕苏见。长大了,我却一直为苏见的事痛苦不休,每当苏见用一张痛苦的脸看着我时,那种彼此的折磨,就放大了好几倍,我从不曾想用我对他的爱去折磨他,可他为什么就不能了解我爱他的万分之一呢?
  • 死亡杀戮

    死亡杀戮

    难道只有在地球将要毁灭之时,各国的真正实力才会浮出水面?道法、巫术、特异之人,地球将要让他们来拯救?姜龙,一个人潮之中漂浮的水花,却翻起了惊天巨浪,且看他如何在这末日星球中生存!
  • 刘大响自传

    刘大响自传

    《中国工程院院士传记:刘大响自传》是作者刘大响院士的回忆录。作者在书中叙述了自己的童年、求学生涯以及为我国航空动力事业奋斗的历程,尤其是以亲身经历讲述了高空模拟试验台、高推预研、中推核心机和先进高性能发动机的预研和研制过程,以及呼吁国家重视航空发动机、国产大飞机和航空应急救援体系建设的经历。
  • 永夜君王

    永夜君王

    千夜自困苦中崛起,在背叛中坠落。自此一个人,一把枪,行在永夜与黎明之间,却走出一段传奇。若永夜注定是他的命运,那他也要成为主宰的王。
  • 巡铺房

    巡铺房

    在近代发生的一系列案件,产生了一大批的侦探。让我们看一下他们是如何抽丝剥茧,破除那些扑朔迷离的案件。
  • 洗剑图

    洗剑图

    不能使用道法神通又如何?任你道法通天,我自一剑斩去!一个体内带着上古剑丸出生的少年,一段逆天斩仙的崛起历程。我有一剑,可斩天地!!
  • 佛说罪业应报教化地狱经

    佛说罪业应报教化地狱经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。