"And twenty men could hold it with spears and
arrows."
They came out on the village, situated on a small, upland plateau, grass-
covered, and with only occasional trees. There was a wild chorus of
warning cries from the women, who scurried out of the grass houses, and
like frightened quail dived over the opposite edge of the clearing,
gathering up their babies and children as they ran. At the same time
spears and arrows began to fall among the invaders. At Sheldon's
command, the Tahitians and Poonga-Poonga men got into action with their
rifles. The spears and arrows ceased, the last bushman disappeared, and
the fight was over almost as soon as it had begun. On their own side no
one had been hurt, while half a dozen bushmen had been killed. These
alone remained, the wounded having been carried off. The Tahitians and
Poonga-Poonga men had warmed up and were for pursuit, but this Sheldon
would not permit. To his pleased surprise, Joan backed him up in the
decision; for, glancing at her once during the firing, he had seen her
white face, like a glittering sword in its fighting intensity, the
nostrils dilated, the eyes bright and steady and shining.
"Poor brutes," she said. "They act only according to their natures. To
eat their kind and take heads is good morality for them.
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