"This is horrible work," Frank said when he rejoined Mr. Goodenough.
"Horrible, Frank; but there is at least the consolation that by
this fearful slaughter of their bravest warriors we are crippling
the power of Dahomey as a curse and a scourge to its neighbors. After
this crushing repulse the Abeokutans may hope that many years will
elapse before they are again attacked by their savage neighbors,
and the lessons which they have now learned in defense will enable
them to make as good a stand on another occasion as they have done
now."
"Do you think the attack will be renewed?"
"I should hardly think so. The flower of their army must have
fallen, and the Amazon guard must have almost ceased to exist. I
told you, Frank, you would soon get over your repugnance to firing
at women."
"I did not think anything about women," Frank said. "We seemed to
be fighting a body of demons with their wild screams and yells.
Indeed, I could scarce distinguish the men from the women."
A strong guard was placed at night at the stockade, and Mr.
Goodenough and Frank lay down close at hand in case the assault
should be renewed. At daybreak the sound of a cannon caused them
to start to their feet.
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