The Rajah's Fortress — page 196: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE RAJAH’S FORTRESS. 185 this very instant they might be pouring in at the central gate, and no one the wiser. “ This is madness!” he called out to Bolton in his excitement. ‘We are absolutely defenseless. Get to the house, quick.” Bolton hesitated. He hated to lose his precious panther, and yet common sense told him that Forbes was right. McGore dropped his gun and stood ready torun. Still Bolton waited in deep perplexity. That hesitation was fatal. The silence was shattered by a crash, a falling of timber, and hastening toward them came the flying figure of Mombagolo brandishing a lighted lantern that Bolton had ordered to facilitate their search. No words were needed to tell the tale. It could plainly be read on the frightened, dusky face. ‘The dacoits have smashed in the gate,” Forbes said with amazing calmness, and in proof of his words a shot rang out from the house and Momba- golo staggered and fell to the ground. Not a man of them was armed. The rifles lay on the table in the house. “ Run for your lives now,” shouted Mike. ‘“ We can escape them yet.” McGore’s advice was acted on promptly, and they made a simultaneous dash for the broken stockade at the lower end. Toolate! A horde of dusky figures swarmed over the ledge and barred their progress, and when they turned towards the house again a wild shout told them that escape was COLUM 1OOO SS co