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+Project Gutenberg's Wilmshurst of the Frontier Force, by Percy F. Westerman
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Wilmshurst of the Frontier Force
+
+Author: Percy F. Westerman
+
+Illustrator: Ernest Prater
+
+Release Date: March 17, 2013 [EBook #26642]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WILMSHURST OF THE FRONTIER FORCE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Al Haines
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Frontispiece: "CLUTCHED THE LIONESS JUST BELOW THE JAWS, HOLDING HER
+  IN A VICE-LIKE GRIP."]
+
+
+
+
+
+WILMSHURST OF THE FRONTIER FORCE
+
+
+BY
+
+PERCY F. WESTERMAN
+
+
+
+
+  AUTHOR OF "BILLY BARCROFT, R.N.A.S,"
+  "A SUB. OF THE R.N.R," ETC., ETC.
+
+
+
+
+Publishers
+
+PARTRIDGE
+
+London
+
+1918
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+CHAPTER
+
+     I.  ON ACTIVE SERVICE
+    II.  CHAOS IN THE CABIN
+   III.  THE RAIDER
+    IV.  SPOFFORTH, MACGREGOR AND THE LIONESS
+     V.  HOW THE KOPJE WAS STORMED
+    VI.  THE WARNING SHOT
+   VII.  A TRUE MAN OR A TRAITOR
+  VIII.  ULRICH VON GOBENDORFF
+    IX.  THE FIGHT FOR THE SEAPLANE
+     X.  PREPARATIONS
+    XI.  THE SNIPER
+   XII.  THE STORMING OF M'GANGA
+  XIII.  THE FUGITIVE
+   XIV.  ON THE TRACK
+    XV.  RESCUED
+   XVI.  'GAINST HEAVY ODDS
+  XVII.  WATER
+ XVIII.  IN THE ENEMY'S POSITIONS
+   XIX.  CORNERED AT LAST
+    XX.  QUITS
+
+
+
+
+WILMSHURST OF THE FRONTIER FORCE
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+ON ACTIVE SERVICE
+
+"Four o'clock mornin', sah; bugle him go for revally."
+
+Dudley Wilmshurst, Second Lieutenant of the Nth West African Regiment,
+threw off the light coverings, pulled aside the mosquito curtains, and
+sat upon the edge of his cot, hardly able to realise that Tari Barl,
+his Haussa servant, had announced the momentous news.  Doubtful whether
+his senses were not playing him false Wilmshurst glanced round the
+room.  On a metal table, the legs of which stood in metal jars filled
+with water and paraffin to counteract the ravages of the white ants,
+lay his field-equipment--a neatly-rolled green canvas valise with his
+name and regiment stamped in bold block letters; his Sam Browne belt
+with automatic pistol holster attached; his sword--a mere token of
+authority but otherwise little better than a useless encumbrance--and a
+pair of binoculars in a leather case that bore signs of the excessive
+dampness of the climate on The Coast, as the littoral of the African
+shore 'twixt the Niger and the Senegal Rivers is invariably referred to
+by the case-hardened white men who have fought against the pestilential
+climate and won.
+
+A short distance from the oil stove on which a kettle was boiling,
+thanks to the energy and thoughtfulness of Private Tari Barl, stood an
+assortment of camp equipment: canvas _tent d'abri_, ground sheets,
+aluminium mess traps, a folding canvas bath, and last but not least an
+indispensable Doulton pump filter.
+
+When a man's head is buzzing from the effects of strong doses of
+quinine, and his limbs feel limp and almost devoid of strength, it is
+not to be wondered at that he is decidedly "off colour."  It was only
+Wilmshurst's indomitable will that had pulled him through a bout of
+malaria in time to be passed fit for active service with the "Waffs,"
+as the West African Field Force is commonly known from the initial
+letters of the official designation.
+
+And here was Tari Barl--"Tarry Barrel," his master invariably dubbed
+him--smiling all over his ebony features as he stood, clad in active
+service kit and holding a cup of fragrant tea.
+
+Tari Barl was a typical specimen of the West African native from whom
+the ranks of the Coast regiments are recruited.  In height about five
+feet ten, he was well built from his thighs upwards.  Even his
+loosely-fitting khaki tunic did not conceal the massive chest with its
+supple muscles and the long, sinewy arms that knew how to swing to the
+rhythm of bayonet exercise.  His legs, however, were thin and spindly.
+To any one not accustomed to the native build it would seem strange
+that the apparently puny lower limbs could support such a heavy frame.
+He was wearing khaki shorts and puttees; even the latter, tightly
+fitting, did little to disguise the meagreness of his calves.  He was
+barefooted, for the West African soldier has a rooted dislike to boots,
+although issued as part of his equipment.  On ceremonial parades he
+will wear them, outwardly uncomplainingly, but at the first opportunity
+he will discard them, slinging the unnecessary footgear round his neck.
+Thorns, that in the "bush" will rip the best pair of British-made
+marching-boots to shreds in a very short time, trouble him hardly at
+all, for the soles of his feet, which with the palms of his hands are
+the only white parts of his epidermis, are as hard as iron.
+
+"All my kit ready, Tarry Barrel?" enquired Wilmshurst as he sipped his
+tea.
+
+"All ready, sah; Sergeant Bela Moshi him lib for tell fatigue party
+mighty quick.  No need worry, sah."
+
+Dismissing his servant the subaltern "tubbed" and dressed.  They start
+the day early on the Coast, getting through most of the routine before
+nine, since the intense heat of the tropical sun makes strenuous
+exertion not only unpleasant but highly dangerous.
+
+But to-day was of a different order.  The regiment was to embark at
+eight o'clock on board the transport _Zungeru_ for active service in
+the vast stretch of country known as "German East," where the Huns with
+their well-trained Askaris, or native levies, were putting up a stiff
+resistance against the Imperial and Colonial troops of the British
+Empire.
+
+On his way to the mess Wilmshurst ran up against Barkley, the P.M.O. of
+the garrison.
+
+"Hullo there!" exclaimed the doctor.  "How goes it?  Fit?"
+
+"Absolutely," replied the subaltern.
+
+The doctor smiled and shrugged his shoulders.  He knew perfectly well
+that no officer warned for active service would reply otherwise.
+
+"Buzzing all gone?"
+
+"Practically," replied Wilmshurst.
+
+"All right; stick to five grains of quinine during the whole of the
+voyage--and don't be afraid to let me know if you aren't up to the
+mark.  Suppose you've heard nothing further of your brother?"
+
+Wilmshurst shook his head.
+
+"Not since the letter written just before the war, and that took nearly
+twelve months before it reached me.  It's just possible that Rupert is
+in the thick of it with the Rhodesian crush."
+
+Barkley made no comment.  He was an old college chum of Rupert
+Wilmshurst, who was fifteen years older than his brother Dudley.  The
+elder Wilmshurst was a proverbial rolling stone.  Almost as soon as he
+left Oxford he went abroad and, after long wanderings in the interior
+of China, Siberia, and Manchuria, where his adventures merely
+stimulated the craving for wandering on the desolate parts of the
+earth, he went to the Cape, working his way up country until he made a
+temporary settlement on the northern Rhodesian shores of Lake
+Tanganyika.
+
+It was thence that he wrote to his brother Dudley, who had just taken
+up a Crown appointment on the Coast, mentioning that he had penetrated
+into the territory known as German East.
+
+The subaltern remembered the letter almost by heart.
+
+"There'll be trouble out here before very long," wrote Rupert.
+"Britishers settling down in this part almost invariably roll a
+cricket-pitch or lay out a football field.  With Hans it is very
+different.  The Germans' idea of colonization is to start building up a
+military organization.  Every 'post' in which there are German settlers
+has its company of armed blacks--Askaris they call them.  And as for
+ammunition, they are laying in stores sufficient to wage a two-years'
+war; not merely small arms ammunition, but quick-firer shells as well.
+Quite by accident I found kegs of cartridges buried close to my camp.
+For what reason?  The natives are quiet enough, so the ammunition is
+not for use against them.  I am sending this letter by a trusty native
+to be posted at Pambete, as it would be unwise to make use of the
+German colonial post.  Meanwhile I am penetrating further into this
+stretch of territory under the Black Cross Ensign--possibly in the
+direction of Tabora.  My researches may be taken seriously by the
+Foreign Office, but I have my doubts.  Fortunately I have a jolly good
+pal with me, a Scotsman named Macgregor, whom I met at Jo-burg.  Don't
+be anxious if you don't hear from me for some time."
+
+The letter was dated July, 1914, and three years, Dudley reflected, is
+a very exaggerated interpretation of the term "some time."  Even taking
+into consideration the lack of efficient internal and external
+communication, the state of war embroiling practically the whole
+civilized world and the perils to which shipping was subjected owing to
+the piratical exploits of the Huns--all these facts would hardly offer
+sufficient explanation for a total absence of news from Rupert
+Wilmshurst unless----
+
+There are parts of Africa which are still described as the Dark
+Continent--wild, desolate stretches where a man can disappear without
+leaving the faintest trace of the manner of his presumed death, while
+in German East there were unscrupulous despots--the disciples of
+atrocious kultur--only too ready to condemn an Englishman without even
+the farcical formality of a court-martial.
+
+Already events had proved that Rupert Wilmshurst's statement was
+well-founded.  In her African colonies, in Kiau-Chau, and elsewhere for
+years past Germany had been assiduously preparing for The Day.  Under
+the firm but erroneous impression that Great Britain would have her
+hands full in connection with affairs at home, that the Boers in South
+Africa would revolt and that the Empire would fall to pieces at the
+declaration of war between England and Germany, the Hun in Africa had
+prepared huge stores of munitions and trained thousands of native
+troops with the intention of wresting the adjoining ill-defended
+territories from their owners.
+
+No wonder that the Huns hugged themselves with delight when by a
+disastrous stroke of statesmanship Great Britain exchanged the
+crumbling island of Heligoland for some millions of square miles of
+undeveloped territory hitherto held by Germany.  While Heligoland was
+being protected by massive concrete walls and armed by huge guns to
+form a practically impregnable bulwark to the North Sea coast of
+Germany, England was by peaceful methods developing her new African
+acquisition.  Germany could then afford to wait until the favourable
+opportunity and by force of arms seize and hold the territory that was
+once hers and which in the meantime had enormously increased
+commercially at the expense of Britain.
+
+But the Kaiser had miscalculated the loyalty of the colonies.  Canada,
+South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, to say nothing of smaller
+offshoots of the Empire, had rallied to the flag.  Boers who fourteen
+years previously had fought doggedly and determinedly against England
+volunteered for service, and their offer was accepted for expeditions
+against German West Africa and then against German East, while shoulder
+to shoulder with their late enemies were Imperial troops, including
+Indian and West African contingents.  Amongst the reinforcements from
+the latter was the Nth West African Regiment.
+
+By six o'clock breakfast was over and the troops were falling in for
+parade and C.O.'s inspection.  As Second Lieutenant Wilmshurst crossed
+the dusty barrack "square," which was a rectangle enclosed on three
+sides by the native huts and on the fourth by the Quartermaster's
+"stores" and orderly room, he found that the men of his platoon were
+already drawn up in full marching order.  At the sight of their young
+officer--for it was the first time for several weeks that Wilmshurst
+had appeared on parade--a streak of dazzling ivory started and
+stretched from end to end of the line as the Haussas' mouths opened
+wide in welcoming smiles, displaying a lavish array of teeth that
+contrasted vividly with their ebony features.
+
+That Wilmshurst was popular with his men there could be no doubt.  Had
+it been otherwise not a suspicion of a smile would have appeared upon
+their faces.  The subaltern had the knack of handling African troops,
+and without that knack an officer might just as well transfer
+elsewhere.  Firmness, strict impartiality, and consideration for the
+welfare of the men under his orders had been rewarded by a
+whole-hearted devotion on the part of the blacks to "Massa Wilmst,"
+while every man had the satisfaction that he was known by name to the
+junior subaltern.
+
+The company officer had not yet put in an appearance, but the platoon
+commanders and their subordinates were engaged either in discussing
+impending plans or else minutely examining their men's equipment, lest
+the eagle eye of the C.O. should detect some deficiency during the
+forthcoming inspection.
+
+"All correct, sergeant?" enquired Wilmshurst, addressing a tall Haussa,
+Bela Moshi by name.
+
+The sergeant saluted smartly, replying, with a broad smile, that
+everything was in order.  A child by nature, Bela Moshi had developed
+into a smart and efficient soldier without losing the simple
+characteristics of the African native.  He was a first-class marksman,
+although it had required long and patient training to get him to
+understand the use of sights and verniers and to eradicate the belief,
+everywhere prevalent amongst savage races, that to raise the backsight
+to its highest elevation results in harder hitting by the bullet.
+
+Bela Moshi was smart with the machine-gun, too, while for scouting and
+tracking work there were few who equalled him.  The regiment was father
+and mother to the ebon warrior, while of all the officers Wilmshurst
+was his special favourite.
+
+The subaltern realised it but could give no reason for Bela Moshi's
+preferential treatment; not that Wilmshurst had gone out of his way to
+favour the man.  He treated the rank and file of his platoon with
+impartial fairness, ever ready to hear complaints, but woe betide the
+black who tried to "get to windward" of the young officer.
+
+Upon the approach of the C.O. the ranks stiffened.  The display of
+ivory vanished, and with thick, pouting lips, firmly closed, and eyes
+fixed rigidly in front the men awaited the minute inspection.
+
+Colonel Quarrier was a man who had grown grey in the service of the
+Crown.  For over thirty years he had held a commission in the Nth West
+Africa Regiment, rising from a fresh young Second Lieutenant to the
+rank of Colonel Commandant and ruler of the destinies of nearly a
+thousand men.  "Case hardened" to the attacks of mosquitos, his system
+overcharged with malarial germs until the scourge of the Coast failed
+to harm him, Colonel Quarrier possessed one of the principal
+qualifications for bush-fighting in the Tropics--a "salted"
+constitution.
+
+Already he had served in four African campaigns, having but recently
+taken part in the comparatively brief but strenuous Kamarun expedition.
+He was a past-master in the art of fighting in miasmic jungles, and now
+he was about to engage in operations on a larger and slightly different
+scale--bush-fighting in German East, where ranges of temperature are
+experienced from the icy cold air of the upper ground of Kilimanjaro to
+the sweltering heat of the low-lying land but a few degrees south of
+the Line.
+
+The parade over a hoarse order rang out.  A drum and bugle band
+belonging to another regiment struck up a lively air and the black and
+khaki lines swung about into "column of route."
+
+The "Waffs" were off to the conquest of the last of Germany's
+ultra-European colonies.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+CHAOS IN THE CABIN
+
+It was a march of about five miles to the beach along a straight road
+bordered with palm trees.  At some distance from the highway the
+country was thick with scrub, from which the sickly smell of the
+mangroves rose in the still slanting rays of the sun.
+
+Most of the heavy baggage had already been sent down, but with the
+troops were hundreds of native carriers, each bearing a load of about
+sixty pounds, while crowds of native women and children flocked to see
+the last of the regiment for some time to come.
+
+The embarkation had to be performed by means of boats from the open
+beach, against which white rollers surged heavily, the thundering of
+the surf being audible for miles.  At a long distance from the shore,
+so that she appeared little larger than a boat, lay the transport
+_Zungeru_, rolling sluggishly at a single anchor, while steaming slowly
+in the offing was a light cruiser detailed to act as escort to the
+convoy, for more transports were under orders to rendezvous off Cape
+Coast Castle.
+
+Amidst the loud and discordant vociferations of the native boatmen the
+troops boarded the broad, shallow-drafted surf boats, each man having
+the breech-mechanism of his rifle carefully wrapped in oiled canvas to
+prevent injury from salt water.  In batches of twenty the Waffs left
+their native soil, but not before three boat loads had been
+unceremoniously capsized in the surf, to the consternation of the men
+affected and the light-hearted merriment of their more fortunate
+comrades.
+
+Without mishap Wilmshurst gained the accommodation-ladder of the
+_Zungeru_, where brawny British mercantile seamen, perspiring freely in
+the torrid heat, were energetically assisting their black passengers on
+board with encouraging shouts of "Up with you, Sambo!" "Mind your nut,
+Darkie!" and similar exhortations.  The while derricks were swaying in
+and out, whipping the baggage from the holds of the lighters that lay
+alongside, grinding heavily in the swell, fenders notwithstanding.
+
+Having seen the men of his platoon safely on board Wilmshurst went
+below to the two-berthed cabin which he was to share with Laxdale, the
+subaltern of No. 2 platoon.
+
+Opening the door Wilmshurst promptly ducked his head to avoid a
+sweeping blow with a knotted towel which his brother officer was
+wielding desperately and frantically.
+
+"Hullo!" exclaimed Laxdale breathlessly.  "Come in and bear a hand.
+Hope I didn't flick you."
+
+"What's wrong?" enquired Dudley, eyeing with feelings of apprehension
+the sight of the disordered cabin.  "Looks as if a Hun four-point-one
+had been at work here."
+
+The "traps" of both subalterns were littering the floor in utmost
+confusion.  Sheets, blankets and mosquito nets had been torn from the
+bunks, while a smashed water-bottle and glass bore testimony to the
+erratic onslaught of the wildly excited Laxdale.
+
+"Almost wish it had," exclaimed the harassed subaltern.  "I was
+unpacking my kit when a whopping big rat jumped out of this valise.
+I'll swear that rascal of a servant of mine knows all about it.  I had
+to give him a dressing down yesterday for losing some of my gear.
+We'll have to find the animal, Wilmshurst.  A rat is my pet
+abomination."
+
+"Why not leave the door open?" suggested Dudley.
+
+"An' let the bounder go scot-free?" added Laxdale, a gleam of grim
+determination in his eyes.  "No jolly fear.  We'll lay him out
+properly.  Here you are, take this."
+
+He handed Wilmshurst a towel roller made of teak, forming a heavy and
+effective weapon.
+
+"This is where I think the brute's hiding," continued Laxdale,
+indicating a long drawer under the lowermost bunk.  "I was stowing some
+of my gear away when I spotted him.  After five minutes' strafing he
+disappeared, but goodness knows how he managed to get through that
+little slit.  Now stand by."
+
+Entering into the spirit of the chase Dudley knelt down and waited with
+poised stick while Laxdale charily opened the drawer.  Like most
+drawers on board ship and frequently elsewhere it jammed.  By frantic
+up and down movements the subaltern freed it.  Then he waited, both
+officers listening intently.  Not a sound came from within.
+
+"Don't suppose the brute's there after all.  He must have effected a
+strategic movement....  Look out, by Jove!"
+
+Acting upon his impression Laxdale had tugged the drawer half open.
+Instantly there was a vision of a dark object darting with
+lightning-like rapidity.
+
+Down came Wilmshurst's towel roller a fraction of a second too late for
+Mister Rat.  At the same time Laxdale moved his hands along the ledge
+of the drawer and received the full force of the blow across the
+knuckles.
+
+"Sorry!" exclaimed Wilmshurst.
+
+Laxdale, nursing the injured hand, made no audible comment.
+Deliberately he relieved Dudley of the towel-roller, throwing his
+companion the knotted towel in exchange.
+
+"Where's the brute now?" he asked grimly.
+
+A scuffling noise in a tin bath suspended from the cork-cemented roof
+of the cabin betrayed the rodent's temporary hiding-place.  Both men
+looked first at the bath and then at each other.
+
+"It would be as well if we put our helmets on," suggested Wilmshurst,
+replacing his "double-pith" headgear.  "Now, I'll shake the bath and
+you let rip when he falls.  But please don't try to get your own back
+on me."
+
+As a precautionary measure Dudley beat the side of the bath with the
+towel.  It might have been efficacious if the subaltern had been
+engaging in apiarian operations, but as far as present events went it
+was a "frost."
+
+"Tilt it, old man," suggested Laxdale.
+
+Wilmshurst carried out this suggestion only too well.  The bath,
+slipping from its supporting fixtures, clattered noisily to the floor,
+its edge descending heavily upon Dudley's foot.  Again a momentary
+vision of the leaping rodent, then, crash!  With a mighty sweep of the
+tower-roller Laxdale demolished the electric-light globe into a
+thousand fragments.
+
+"Getting on," he remarked cheerfully.  "There'll be a big bill for
+'barrack damages' eh, what?  Where's the brute?"
+
+The rat, terrified by the din, had retired to a recess formed by the
+bulkhead of the cabin and the fixed wash-basin and was acting strictly
+on the defensive.
+
+"Aha!" exclaimed Laxdale.  "Now you're cornered.  No use yelling
+'Mercy, kamerad.'"
+
+Levelling the roller like a billiard cue the subaltern prepared to make
+a thrust and administer the _coup de grāce_, but he had forgotten that
+he had not yet found his sea-legs.  A roll of the ship made him lose
+his balance, and he pitched head foremost into the rodent's retreat.
+Like a flash the rat leapt, scampered over Laxdale's helmet, down his
+back and took refuge in the breast-pocket of Wilmshurst's tunic.
+
+Dudley beat all records in slipping off his Sam Browne and discarding
+the tunic, for by the time his companion had regained his feet the
+garment lay on the floor.
+
+"Stamp on it!" yelled the now thoroughly excited and exasperated
+subaltern.
+
+"It's my tunic, remember," protested Dudley firmly as he pushed his
+brother-officer aside.
+
+Just then the door opened, and Spofforth, another member of the "Lone
+Star Crush" appeared, enquiring, "What's all the row about, you
+fellows?  Scrapping?"
+
+"Shut that door!" exclaimed Laxdale hurriedly.  "Either in or out, old
+man."
+
+The hunters suspended operations to wipe the streams of perspiration
+from their faces and to explain matters.
+
+"Ratting, eh?" queried Spofforth.  "You fellows look like a pair of
+Little Willies looting a French chateau."
+
+"Hullo!  More of 'em," murmured Laxdale as the door was unceremoniously
+pushed open and another of the "One Pip" officers made his appearance.
+"Look alive, Danvers, and don't stand there looking in the air.  Walk
+in and take a pew, if you can find one."
+
+"I've come to borrow a glass," remarked the latest arrival.  "Mine's
+smashed and my batman hasn't unpacked my aluminium traps.  Judging by
+appearances, by Jove!  I've drawn a blank.  What's up--a toppin' rag,
+or have the water pipes burst?"
+
+Wilmshurst and Laxdale sat on the upper bunk, Spofforth on the closed
+lid of the wash-basin stand, and Danvers found a temporary
+resting-place on the none too rigid top of a cabin trunk.  Each man
+kept his feet carefully clear of the floor, while four pairs of eyes
+were fixed upon Dudley's tunic, the folds of which were pulsating under
+the violent lung-movements of the sheltering rodent.
+
+"Why not shake the brute out?" suggested Danvers.
+
+"You try it," suggested Laxdale, whose enthusiasm was decidedly on the
+wane.  "Wilmshurst here has turned mouldy.  He refuses point blank to
+let me use his raiment of neutral colour as a door-mat.  I might add
+that if you've ever had the experience of a particularly active member
+of the rodent family scampering down your back you wouldn't be quite so
+keen."
+
+"How about turning out the machine-gun section?" asked Spofforth.
+"Look here, if you fellows want to be ready for tiffen you'd better get
+a move on.  Suppose----"
+
+"Still they come!" exclaimed Laxdale, as a knock sounded on the
+jalousie of the cabin door.  "Come in."
+
+It was Tari Barl in search of his master.
+
+"Tarry Barrel, you old sinner," said Wilmshurst, "can you catch a rat?"
+
+"Me lib for find Mutton Chop, sah," replied the Haussa saluting.  "Find
+him one time and come quick."
+
+Dudley looked enquiringly at his cabin-mate, knowing that Mutton Chop
+was Laxdale's servant.
+
+"Oh, so that rascal's the culprit," declared Laxdale.  "Didn't I say I
+thought so?"
+
+"Bring Mutton Chop here," ordered Wilmshurst, addressing the broadly
+smiling Tari Barl.
+
+The Haussa vanished, presently to reappear with almost an exact
+counterpart of himself.  It would be a difficult matter for a stranger
+to tell the difference between the two natives.
+
+"What d'ye mean, you black scoundrel, by putting a rat into my traps?"
+demanded Laxdale.
+
+"No did put, sah; him lib for come one time," expostulated Laxdale's
+servant.  "Me play, 'Come to cook-house door,' den him catchee."
+
+Producing a small native flute Mutton Chop began to play a soft air.
+For perhaps thirty seconds every one and everything else was still in
+the desolated cabin; then slowly but without any signs of furtiveness
+the rat pushed his head between the folds of Wilmshurst's tunic,
+sniffed, and finally emerged, sat up on his hind legs, his long
+whiskers quivering with evident delight.
+
+Then, with a deft movement, Mutton Chop's fingers closed gently round
+the little animal, and to the astonishment of the four officers the
+Haussa placed the rodent in his breast pocket.
+
+"Me hab mascot same as officers, sahs!" he explained.  "No put him
+here, sah; me make tidy."
+
+"And there's the officers' call!" exclaimed Dudley as a bugle rang out.
+"Dash it all, how's a fellow to put on the thing?"
+
+And he indicated the crumpled tunic.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE RAIDER
+
+Accompanied by five other transports and escorted by the light cruiser
+_Tompion_, the _Zungeru_ ploughed her way at a modest fifteen knots
+through the tropical waters of the Atlantic.  Although there was little
+to fear from the attacks of U-boats, for up to the present these craft
+had not appeared south of the Equator, mines had been laid by disguised
+German ships right in the area where numerous trade routes converge in
+the neighbourhood of the Cape of Good Hope, while there were rumours,
+hitherto unconfirmed, that an armed raider was at large in the South
+Atlantic.
+
+Provided the convoy kept together there was little danger in daytime in
+that direction, but the possibilities of the raider making a sudden
+dash during the hours of darkness and using gun and torpedo with
+disastrous results could not be overlooked.
+
+The issue of lifebelts to the native troops puzzled them greatly.  They
+could not understand the precaution, for they were ignorant of the
+danger of making voyages in war-time.  Their faith in the "big canoes"
+of King George was so firm that, sea-sickness notwithstanding, they had
+no doubts or fears concerning their safe arrival in the land where
+Briton, Boer, Indian and African were doing their level best to stamp
+out the blight of German kultur.
+
+At four bells (2 a.m.) on the fifth day of the voyage Wilmshurst was
+roused from his sleep by a commotion on deck.  Men were running hither
+and thither carrying out a series of orders shouted in stentorian
+tones.  The _Zungeru_ was altering course without slackening speed,
+listing noticeably to starboard as the helm was put hard over.
+
+Almost at the same time Laxdale awoke.
+
+"What's up?" he enquired drowsily.
+
+"I don't know," replied his companion.  "I can hear Spofforth and
+Danvers going on deck.  Let's see what's doing."
+
+Acting upon this suggestion the two officers hastily donned their great
+coats over their pyjamas, slipped their feet into their canvas slices
+and went on deck.
+
+It was a calm night.  The crescent moon was low down in the western
+sky, but its brilliance was sufficient to enable objects to be seen
+distinctly.  Silhouetted against the slanting beams was the escorting
+cruiser, which was pelting along at full speed and overhauling the
+_Zungeru_ hand over fist.  Although the cruiser and her convoy were
+without steaming lights the former's yard-arm lamp was blinking out a
+message in Morse.
+
+The transports were in "double column line ahead," steaming due west
+instead of following the course that would bring them within sight of
+Table Bay.  Less than a cable's length on the starboard column's beam
+was the cruiser.  She had already overtaken two of the transports, and
+was now lapping the _Zungeru's_ quarter.
+
+The object of this nocturnal display of activity was now apparent.
+Less than a mile away was a large steamer, which had just steadied on
+her helm and was now on a parallel course to that of the convoy.
+
+"Anything startling?" enquired a major of one of the _Zungeru's_
+officers who was passing.
+
+"Oh, no," was the reply.  "A tramp was trying to cut across our bows.
+The _Tompion_ has signalled to know what's her little game.  She's just
+replied that she's the steamship _Ponto_, and wants to know whether
+there have been any signs of a supposed raider."
+
+The ship's officer continued on his way.  The two subalterns, in no
+hurry to return to their bunks, for the night air was warm and
+fragrant, remained on deck, watching the manoeuvres of the cruiser and
+the _Ponto_.
+
+The exchange of signals continued for about ten minutes, then the
+_Tompion_ resumed her station at the head of the convoy, while the
+_Ponto_ took up her position on the beam of the starboard line.
+Presently in obedience to a signal the ships altered helm and settled
+down on their former course, the large steamer following suit, although
+dropping steadily astern, for her speed was considerably less than that
+of the transports.
+
+Presently the ship's officer returned.  As he passed Wilmshurst stopped
+him, enquiring whether anything had developed.
+
+"The _Ponto_ has cold feet," explained the _Zungeru's_ officer.  "Her
+Old Man seems to be under the impression that there is a Hun scuttling
+around, so he's signalled for permission to tail on to us.  The cruiser
+offered no objection, provided the speed of the convoy is unaffected,
+so by daylight the tramp will be hull-down, I expect."
+
+"Much ado about nothing," remarked Laxdale.  "I say, old man, let's
+turn in again.  What's the matter with you?"
+
+He grasped Wilmshurst by the arm.  The subaltern, apparently heedless
+of the touch, was gazing fixedly at the tramp.  The mercantile officer
+and Laxdale both followed the direction of his look, the former giving
+vent to a low whistle.
+
+From above the gunwale of a boat stowed amidships on the _Ponto_ a
+feeble light glimmered.
+
+"Help--German raider," it signalled.
+
+"You read it?" enquired the sailor hurriedly, as if to confirm the
+evidence of his own eyes.
+
+"Yes," replied Wilmshurst, and repeated the signal.
+
+Without another word the _Zungeru's_ officer turned and raced to the
+bridge.  In a few moments the signal was passed on to the _Tompion_ by
+means of a flashlamp, the rays of which were invisible save from the
+direction of the receiver.
+
+"Very good," was the cruiser's reply.  "Carry on."
+
+A little later the general order was flashed in to the convoy.
+"Increase speed to seventeen knots."
+
+The instructions were promptly carried out as far as the transports
+were concerned, but from the _Ponto_ came a signal: "Am doing my
+maximum speed.  Must drop astern if speed of convoy is not reduced."
+
+"The blighter has got hold of the code all right," remarked Laxdale.
+"We'll wait and see the fun.  Wonder why we are whacking up speed?"
+
+"The cruiser wants to get the transports out of harm's way, I should
+imagine," replied Wilmshurst.  "By Jove, it's rummy how news spreads.
+The whole mess is coming on deck."
+
+The arrival of the colonel and almost all the other officers in various
+"fancy rig" proved the truth of Dudley's remark.  Armed with field
+glasses, marine-glasses, and telescopes the officers gathered aft,
+dividing their attention between the labouring _Ponto_ and the
+greyhound _Tompion_.
+
+In about an hour the tramp had dropped astern to the distance of a
+little over five miles, but was still maintaining a course parallel to
+that of the convoy, while the escorting cruiser was still zig-zagging
+across the bows of the leading transports.
+
+Presently the _Tompion_ turned sharply to starboard, steering westward
+for quite two miles before she shaped a course exactly opposite to that
+of the convoy, signalling the while to the _Ponto_, asking various,
+almost commonplace questions regarding her speed and coal-consumption.
+
+It was merely a ruse to lull suspicion.  With every gun manned and
+torpedoes launched home the cruiser flung about until she was bows on
+to the stern of the tramp.  Then came the decided mandate: "Heave-to
+and send a boat."
+
+Unable to bring more than three guns to bear astern the Hun raider--for
+such the so-called _Ponto_ was--ported helm, her speed increasing
+rapidly.  Almost at the same time a six-inch gun sent a shell
+perilously close to the weather side of the cruiser's fore-bridge.
+
+Before the raider could fire a second time three shells struck her
+close to the stern-post, literally pulverising the whole of the poop.
+The after six-inch gun, which had been concealed under a dummy
+deck-house, was blown from its mountings, the heavy weapon crashing
+through the shattered decks to the accompaniment of a shower of
+splinters and a dense pall of flame-tinged smoke.
+
+It was more than the Huns bargained for.  Knowing that the British
+cruiser was already aware of the presence of a number of prisoners on
+board the raider counted on the _Tompion_ withholding her fire.  The
+_Ponto_ would then "crack on speed," for in spite of her alleged
+maximum of eleven knots she was capable of working up to twenty-eight,
+or a knot more than the speed of the cruiser under forced draught.
+These hopes were nipped in the bud by the _Tompion_ blowing away the
+_Ponto's_ stern and putting both propellers out of action.
+
+Of subsequent events immediately following the brief action Wilmshurst
+and his brother officers saw little.  Their whole attention was
+directed towards their men, for the Haussas, on hearing the gun-fire,
+impetuously made a rush on deck--not by reason of panic but out of the
+deep curiosity that is ever to the fore in the minds of West African
+natives to a far greater extent than in the case of Europeans.
+
+Next morning the _Ponto_ was nowhere to be seen.  She had foundered
+within two hours of the engagement, while two hundred of her officers
+and crew were prisoners of war on board the _Tompion_, and a hundred
+and twenty British subjects, mostly the crews of vessels taken and sunk
+by the raider, found themselves once more under the banner of
+liberty--the White Ensign.
+
+During the course of the day Wilmshurst heard the salient facts in
+connection with the raider's career.  She was the Hamburg-Amerika
+intermediate liner _Porfurst_, who, after being armed and camouflaged,
+had contrived to escape the cordon of patrol-boats in the North
+Atlantic.  For three months she had followed her piratical occupation,
+re-provisioning and re-coaling from the vessels she captured.  Whenever
+her prisoners grew in number sufficiently to cause inconvenience the
+_Porfurst_ spared one of her prizes for the purpose of landing the
+captives in some remote port.
+
+It was by a pure fluke that the raider ran almost blindly under the
+guns of the _Tompion_.  Under the impression that the convoy consisted
+of unescorted merchantmen the _Porfurst_ steamed athwart their track,
+and slowing down to eleven or twelve knots, awaited the arrival of a
+likely prey.
+
+Finding too late that the convoy was not so impotent as at first
+appearance the kapitan of the _Porfurst_ attempted a daring ruse.  Upon
+being challenged by the cruiser he gave the vessel's name as _Ponto_,
+the real craft having been sunk by the raider only two days previously.
+The Hun stood a chance of dropping astern and slipping away but for the
+furtive and timely warning signalled by a young apprentice, who,
+contriving to creep unobserved into one of the boats, made good use of
+a small electric torch which he had managed to retain.
+
+Enquiries of the released prisoners resulted in the information that
+they had been treated by their captors in a far better manner than the
+Huns generally deal with those unfortunate individuals who fall into
+their hands.  The kapitan of the _Porfurst_ was no exception to the
+usual run of Germans.  It was the possibility of capture--which had
+developed into a certainty--that had influenced him in his treatment of
+the crews of the sunk ships.  Only the fear of just reprisals kept him
+within the bounds of civilized warfare, and having behaved in an
+ostentatiously proper manner towards the prisoners he received in
+return honourable treatment on board the _Tompion_.
+
+When the convoy was within two days' sail of Table Bay another convoy
+was sighted steering north, while wireless orders were received for the
+_Tompion_ to escort the homeward bound ships and let the transports
+"carry on" under the protection of two destroyers sent from Simon's
+Town.
+
+Upon receipt of these orders the captain of the cruiser signalled the
+_Zungeru_, asking her to receive on board the released crews of the
+sunk ships and to land them at Table Bay.  Although wondering why the
+men should be set ashore at the Cape instead of being taken back to
+England the master of the transport offered no objection, and
+preparations were made to tranship the ex-prisoners.
+
+Knowing several officers of the mercantile marine, Wilmshurst strolled
+into the _Zungeru's_ ship's office and asked the purser's clerk to let
+him have a look at the list of supernumeraries.  There was a chance
+that some of his acquaintances might be amongst the released prisoners
+now on board the transport.
+
+As far as the officers' names were concerned Dudley "drew blank."  He
+was on the point of handing the type-written list back to the purser's
+clerk when he noticed a few names written in red ink--three civilians
+who had been taking passages in ships that had fallen victims to the
+raider _Porfurst_.
+
+"MacGregor--Robert; of Umfuli, Rhodesia--that's remarkable," thought
+Wilmshurst.  "That's the name of Rupert's chum.  Wonder if it's the
+same man?  There may be dozens of MacGregors in Rhodesia; I'll see if I
+can get in touch with this MacGregor."
+
+That same afternoon the Rhodesian was pointed out to Dudley by the
+third mate as he strolled into the smoking-room.
+
+Robert MacGregor was a man of about thirty-eight or forty, tall,
+raw-boned and with curling hair that had a decided auburn hue.  In the
+absence of any description of Rupert's chum, Dudley had no idea of what
+he was like, and until he approached this MacGregor his curiosity was
+not likely to be satisfied.
+
+"Excuse me," began Wilmshurst.  "I believe your name is Robert
+MacGregor?"
+
+The Rhodesian, without showing any surprise at the subaltern's
+question, merely nodded.  A man who has lived practically alone for
+years in the wilds is not usually ready with his tongue.
+
+"Did you ever run across a man called Wilmshurst--Rupert Wilmshurst?"
+continued Dudley.  "He's my brother, you know," he added by way of
+explanation.
+
+"Yes," replied MacGregor slowly.  "He was a chum of mine."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+SPOFFORTH, MACGREGOR, AND THE LIONESS
+
+Robert MacGregor pulled a pipe from his pocket and leisurely filled it
+with Boer tobacco.  His slow, deliberate way contrasted forcibly with
+Wilmshurst's quick, incisive manner; his slow dialect would have
+irritated the subaltern beyond measure but for the fact that he guessed
+the Rhodesian to be of Scots descent.
+
+Dudley noticed particularly that MacGregor had referred to his brother
+in the past tense.  It sounded ominous.
+
+"Was a chum?" he repeated with an accent on the first word.
+
+"In a sense, yes," replied MacGregor.  "We went for a couple of trips
+into German East.  The last time was just before the war.  You know why
+we went?"
+
+"It was in connection with a hidden store of ammunition, I believe,"
+replied Wilmshurst.
+
+The Rhodesian nodded slowly, puffing steadily at his pipe.
+
+"Rupert found a mare's nest, I fancy," he continued.  "At any rate,
+before we made any really important discoveries I had to go back to
+Jo'burg.  Had no option, so to speak.  Then, in connection with the
+same business, I penetrated into German South-West Africa.  I was in
+Bersheba for nearly a fortnight before I heard that war had broken out,
+and the first intimation I had was being put under arrest and sent up
+country to Windhoek.
+
+"When Botha overrun the colony I was released and offered a sound job
+at Walfisch Bay--fairly important Government appointment in connection
+with the distilling plant.  That completed I thought I'd trek back to
+Rhodesia and do a bit in German East.  Thinking I would do the trip
+round quicker by sea I took passage on the _Ibex_, a tramp of about two
+thousand tons, and within twelve hours of leaving Walfisch Bay the boat
+was captured by the _Porfurst_."
+
+"I hope I'm not tiring you with too many questions," said Wilmshurst
+after he had made several enquiries respecting his brother.  The
+answers received were far from satisfactory, for MacGregor seemed to
+make a point of "switching off" the subject of Rupert Wilmshurst and
+dwelling at length on his own adventures.
+
+"Not at all," replied the Rhodesian.  "As regards your brother you may
+get in touch with him, but German East is a whacking big country.  Are
+you part of a brigade?" he asked.
+
+"We're just the 'Waffs,'" replied Dudley.  "The West African Field
+Force, you know.  As regards numbers or our scene of action I haven't
+the remotest idea at present.  I don't believe that even the colonel
+knows."
+
+"At any rate," continued MacGregor, "I think I'll see your colonel and
+get him to let me proceed in the _Zungeru_.  It doesn't very much
+matter whether I join the Rhodesian contingent, although I'd prefer to,
+or get attached to one of the Boer detachments, or even your crush, if
+they'd have me.  I don't want to brag, Mr. Wilmshurst, but I'd be
+mighty useful, knowing the country as I do."
+
+MacGregor's application met with favourable consideration, although he
+did not tell Wilmshurst the result of the interview with the colonel
+until the transports dropped anchor in Table Bay and the rest of the
+released men went ashore.
+
+Bad weather off Cape Agulhas made the rounding of the southernmost part
+of Africa a disagreeable business, but in ideal climatic conditions the
+convoy, with two destroyers still on escort duties, approached Cape
+Delgado, beyond which the territory of German East commences.
+
+The short tropical dusk was deepening into night when two tramp
+steamers were sighted, bearing N.N.E.  In obedience to a signal from
+one of the destroyers they revealed themselves as two Dutch trading
+ships bound from Batavia to Rotterdam, but driven out of their course
+by a succession of gales at the commencement of the south-west monsoon.
+
+Commanded to heave-to both vessels were boarded by examination officers
+from the destroyer, but their papers being quite in order and nothing
+of a suspicious nature discovered amongst the cargo they were allowed
+to proceed.
+
+At daybreak the convoy learnt that both vessels had been shelled and
+destroyed by a British cruiser, but not in time to prevent them landing
+two batteries of 4.1 inch Krupp field-guns at the mouth of the Mohoro
+river.
+
+"Rough luck those vessels slipping through the blockade like that,"
+commented Spofforth.  "Those guns are as good as a couple of battalions
+of Askaris to the Huns."
+
+"Never mind," rejoined Danvers.  "It'll put a bit of heart into Fritz
+and make him buck up.  That'll give us a chance of smelling powder."
+
+"Perhaps," said Wilmshurst.  "I heard the major say that field
+artillery was more of a drag than a benefit to the Boers in the South
+African War.  It destroyed their mobility to a great extent, and not
+until we had captured most of the guns did the Boer start proper
+guerilla tactics--and you know how long that lasted."
+
+"Hanged if I want to go foot-slogging the whole length and breadth of
+German East," commented Danvers.  "I'd rather tackle a dozen batteries
+than tramp for a twelve-month on end.  So this is that delightful spot,
+Kilwa?"
+
+He pointed to a long, low-lying expanse of land, covered with trees.
+Away to the northward the ground rose, forming a plateau of coral
+nearly fifty feet above the sea, and on which many huge baobab trees
+were growing.  The shores surrounding the harbour were low and covered
+with mangroves, but in and out could be discerned several lofty hills.
+Here and there could be seen isolated native huts, while at the head of
+the harbour clustered the thatch and tin-roofed houses of the German
+settlement, which had for several months been in British occupation.
+
+With their systematic thoroughness the Huns had vastly improved the
+health of the hitherto miasmic-infested port, following the principles
+adopted by the Americans during the construction of the Panama Canal.
+Consequently much of the terrors of the fever-stricken port of Kilwa in
+by-gone days had disappeared, and with the continuance of ordinary
+precautions the place offered a suitable base for the columns about to
+operate between the Mohoro and Rovuma rivers.
+
+Without undue delay the Waffs were disembarked and sent under canvas on
+fairly high ground at some distance from the harbour.  For the next
+week intense activity prevailed, the men being strenuously subjected to
+the acclimatising process, while the horses and mules had to be
+carefully watched lest the deadly sleeping-sickness should make its
+appearance at the commencement of the operations and thus place the
+troops under severe disadvantages.
+
+The officers, too, were not spared.  Drills and parades over they had
+to attend lectures, tactical problems having to be worked out by the
+aid of military maps.
+
+These maps, based upon German surveys, were the most accurate
+obtainable, but even then they left much to be desired.  Subsequent
+knowledge of the country showed that frequently roads and native paths
+were indicated that had no actual existence, while on the other hand
+passable tracks were discovered that were not shown on the maps.  More
+than likely the wily Huns allowed what were presumed to be official
+maps to fall into the hands of the British, having taken particular
+care to make them misleading.  It was but one of many examples of the
+way in which Germany prepared for war not only in Europe but in her
+territorial appendages beyond the sea.
+
+MacGregor landed with the troops and was given a semi-official position
+as scout and attached to the same battalion to which Wilmshurst
+belonged.  Gradually his taciturnity diminished, until he developed
+into a fairly communicative individual and was generally popular with
+the Mess.
+
+During the stay in camp at Kilwa Wilmshurst, Danvers, Spofforth and
+Laxdale snatched the opportunity of going on a lion-hunting expedition,
+MacGregor on their invitation accompanying them.
+
+Taking .303 Service rifles, for which a supply of notched bullets was
+provided (for game shooting purposes only these terribly destructive
+missiles are allowable), and with Sergt. Bela Moshi and half a dozen
+Haussas as attendants the five men left Kilwa camp at about two hours
+before sunset.
+
+An hour and ten minutes' ride brought them to a native village where
+several lions had been terrorising the inhabitants by their nocturnal
+depredations.  Here the horses were left under the charge of one of the
+Haussas, and the party set out on foot into the bush.
+
+"Think we'll have any luck, MacGregor?" asked Laxdale.  "Hanged if I
+want to spend all night lugging a rifle about without the chance of a
+shot."
+
+The Rhodesian smiled dourly.  He knew the supreme optimism of amateur
+huntsmen and the general disinclination of the King of Beasts to be
+holed by a bullet.
+
+"Unless a lion is ravenously hungry he will not put in an appearance,"
+he replied.  "Of course we might strike his spoor and follow him up.
+We'll see what luck we get when the moon rises."
+
+For some distance the party travelled in silence.  With the darkness a
+halt was called, for until the bush was flooded with the strong
+moonlight further progress was almost impossible.
+
+Away on the right, at not so very great a distance, came the bleat of a
+goat, while further away still could be heard the awe-inspiring roar of
+the lions after their prey.
+
+"Hanged if I like the idea of those huge brutes leaping right upon us,"
+whispered Spofforth.  "I, being the tallest of the crush, will be sure
+to bear the brunt of his leap."
+
+Spofforth was the giant of the battalion, standing six feet four inches
+in his socks, and proportionately broad of shoulder and massive of
+limb.  At the last regimental sports he carried off the running,
+long-jump and hurdle events, while as a boxer and a wrestler he was a
+match for most men, yet he expressed his fears with all sincerity,
+inwardly wishing for the rising of the moon.
+
+The Haussas, too, were far from comfortable.  Had they their wish they
+would have lighted a roaring fire, one of the most effective though not
+infallible means of keeping wild animals at bay.
+
+The fifty minutes' halt in the desolate bush terminated when the deep
+orange-hued orb of night rose above the distant sea.  As the shadows
+shortened the trek was resumed, each man keeping his loaded rifle ready
+for instant use.
+
+Before they had gone two hundred yards, following a native path on
+which the spoor of a couple of lions was distinctly visible, Laxdale
+suddenly disappeared, while Wilmshurst, who was walking hard on his
+heels, was only just able to save himself from following his example.
+
+Followed a great commotion in which the luckless subaltern's shouts
+mingled with the terrified bleating of a goat.
+
+"Help us out, you fellows," cried Laxdale in desperation.  "I've a
+whole menagerie for company by the feel of it."
+
+"You'll scare every lion within five miles of us, laddie," expostulated
+MacGregor, kneeling at the edge of the pitfall and peering into the
+darkness within.
+
+With the assistance of his electric torch Wilmshurst made the discovery
+that the trap was a hole of about twelve feet in depth and about the
+same distance in length.  In breadth it overlapped the path, its
+presence being skilfully concealed by branches of trees overlaid with
+broad leaves on which earth had been thrown and lightly pressed so as
+to give it the appearance of part of the beaten track.  In the floor of
+the pit pointed stakes had been driven, but fortunately Laxdale had
+fallen between them and thus escaped being impaled.  His sole companion
+was a goat that, left without food and water, was to act as a decoy to
+the lions.  Evidently the pitfall had been recently dug, otherwise the
+spoor of the beasts would not be visible on both sides of it.
+
+"Dash the villagers!" exclaimed Spofforth impetuously.  "Why the deuce
+didn't the headsman give us warning of the beastly trap?  Here, Beta
+Moshi, cut a couple of young trees and knock up a ladder.  Cheer-o,
+Laxdale, dear boy.  Just try and imagine you've found the better 'ole."
+
+"Imagination goes a long way," retaliated the imprisoned sub., "but you
+just jump down and put your suggestion to the practical test.  I
+believe I'm being chawn up by white ants, and I'm certain that the
+jiggers are already tackling my toes."
+
+Promptly Bela Moshi set the Haussas to work, and a rough-and-ready
+ladder having been constructed, Laxdale, little the worse for his
+unexpected tumble, was released from the pitfall.
+
+The journey was resumed.  Contrary to MacGregor's assertion the lions
+had not been frightened away, for their deep, characteristic roar could
+be heard with greater distinctness than before, although they were a
+good distance away.
+
+MacGregor looked like proving a true prophet, however, for after
+following a fresh spoor for miles the hunters drew blank.  At the edge
+of a pool of stagnant water the tracks ended abruptly.
+
+"I don't fancy that water-hole," said Wilmshurst.  "It savours of
+mosquitoes and other pests.  How goes the time?"
+
+Danvers consulted his wristlet watch.
+
+"Nearly four o'clock," he announced.  "If we are to be in camp by eight
+we'll have to look slippy."
+
+A rustling sound in the grass within a few yards of the spot where the
+hunters were standing attracted their attention.  With rifles ready to
+open fire they waited.  They could see the coarse tufts waving in the
+moonlight.
+
+"Stand by!" exclaimed Wilmshurst, handing his rifle to Bela Moshi, and
+before his companions could grasp the situation the subaltern plunged
+into the grass, made a sudden dash, and was back with a healthy young
+lion cub in his arms.
+
+"We've bagged something, at all events," he remarked triumphantly.
+"The little beggar got adrift, I suppose."
+
+"What are you going to do with it, old man?" asked Spofforth
+facetiously.  "Use it as a decoy or train it to guard your kit in camp?"
+
+"Just as likely as not the cub will act as a decoy," said Laxdale.
+"Let the little brute yap a bit."
+
+"He's yapping quite enough as it is," rejoined Wilmshurst.  "Hanged if
+we can hear anything with that noise.  I hope you fellows are keeping
+on the alert?"
+
+"MacGregor's doing that," replied Danvers, indicating the silent form
+of the Rhodesian, as he stood motionless as a statue, with his rifle
+ready for instant use.
+
+"Hear anything, MacGregor?" enquired Spofforth.
+
+The man shook his head.
+
+"Thought I did," he replied, "but I must have been mistaken."
+
+Giving the cub into the care of Bela Moshi, Wilmshurst followed his
+companions as they tramped in single file along the narrow bush track,
+the Haussas tailing on to the end of the procession.
+
+The edge of the bush was almost reached when Laxdale, with a splendid
+shot at a hundred and twenty yards, brought down a large panther.  A
+halt was made while the blacks skinned the dead beast, for in
+practically waterless districts panther-skin is a valuable aid to the
+efficiency of a Maxim gun.  Soaked in water, wrapped round the jacket
+of the weapon, the evaporation keeps the gun cooler for a longer time
+than if the water within the jacket alone were used.
+
+Upon coming within sight of the camp the white men were able to walk
+side by side in comparatively open country.
+
+MacGregor, Laxdale, and Danvers were on ahead, Spofforth and Wilmshurst
+about fifty paces behind, Bela Moshi with the cub was close on Dudley's
+heels, while the Haussas with the dead panther were some distance in
+the rear, the blacks carrying the officers' rifles since the hunters
+were clear of the bush.
+
+"I'll take the cub," said Wilmshurst, noticing that the native sergeant
+was stumbling frequently as he carefully nursed the somewhat fretful
+animal.
+
+"Berry good, sah," replied Bela Moshi, handing the cub to the
+subaltern.  "I tink, sah, dat----"
+
+A chorus of yells and warning shouts from the Haussas made the officers
+turn pretty sharply.  What they saw was something that they had badly
+wanted to see but at the present moment had not the faintest desire to
+meet.
+
+Leaping with prodigious bounds across the flat ground was an enormous
+lioness.  The devoted beast had followed her cub for miles, her
+instinct telling her that when the men halted her opportunity would
+come to recover the little animal.  A lioness bereft of her cubs has
+been known to follow hunters for days in order either to recover or
+revenge her offspring.  The sight of the large camp, however, must have
+incited the gigantic feline to premature action.
+
+Of the five white men only MacGregor retained his rifle.  Laxdale and
+Danvers took to their heels, making for a large baobab that stood about
+fifty yards away.  Strange to relate, MacGregor followed suit,
+thrusting a clip of cartridges into the magazine of his rifle as he
+ran.  Wilmshurst, hampered by the cub, stood stock still, fascinated by
+the awesome sight of the approaching lioness.
+
+Ten yards in front of Wilmshurst stood Spofforth, swaying gently on his
+toes, his bulky figure thrown slightly forward and his arms
+outstretched.
+
+"Run for it!" he exclaimed in a high-pitched, unnatural voice, but
+without turning his head.
+
+Wilmshurst disobeyed--for one thing he was unable to tear himself away;
+his feet seemed rooted to the ground.  For another, a sense of
+camaraderie urged him to remain an impassive spectator of the impending
+struggle between an unarmed man, who had voluntarily interposed his big
+bulk between the hampered subaltern and the infuriated animal.
+
+The lioness, roaring loudly, leapt.  Spofforth closed just as her
+forepaws touched the ground, and the next instant man and beast were
+engaged in a terrible struggle.
+
+The powerful officer clutched the lioness just below the jaws with both
+hands, holding her in a vice-like grip.  With his feet dug firmly, into
+the ground he held, swaying to and fro but not giving an inch while the
+cruel talons of the ferocious beast were lacerating his arms from
+shoulder to wrist.
+
+Exerting every ounce of strength Spofforth bore down, striving to
+fracture the terrible jaws.  Once the lioness succeeded in dealing him
+a blow with her paw that, but for the protection afforded by his double
+pith helmet would have brained the man.  For a few seconds Spofforth
+reeled, his head-gear fell to the ground, leaving his skull unprotected
+should the lioness repeat the terrifically powerful stroke; yet not for
+a moment did his grip release.
+
+Through an eddying cloud of dust raised by the struggle Wilmshurst
+watched the unequal conflict, until his will-power overcoming the
+initial stages of hypnotic impotence, he threw the cub to the ground
+and drew his knife.
+
+With a sensation akin to that of a mild-tempered individual who essays
+with his bare hands to separate two large and ferocious dogs engaged in
+combat Wilmshurst edged towards the flank of the lioness with the
+intention of hamstringing the tensioned sinews of her hind legs.
+
+Before he could deliver the stroke Bela Moshi grasped his officer by
+the shoulders and unceremoniously jerked him aside; then lifting a
+rifle to his shoulders the Haussa sergeant pressed the trigger.
+
+Down in a convulsive heap fell Spofforth and the lioness, the brute
+frantically pawing both her antagonist and the dust in her death
+agonies.  Then with a sharp shudder the animal stretched herself and
+died, while the subaltern, utterly exhausted, lay inertly upon the
+ground, his rent sleeve stained with still spreading dark patches.
+
+By that time Laxdale and Danvers were upon the scene.  Temporary
+bandages were applied to Spofforth's ugly-looking wounds, while the
+greatly concerned Haussas improvised a litter made of rifles and coats.
+Upon this the badly-mauled subaltern was placed and the journey resumed
+towards the camp, the dead lioness and her very much alive cub being
+carried in as trophies of the night's work.
+
+"Where's MacGregor?" asked Wilmshurst.
+
+Laxdale and Danvers exchanged enquiring glances.
+
+"Hanged if I know," said the former.  "The last I saw of him was when
+he was making for the baobab.  We were a set of blighters scooting off
+and leaving old Spofforth to act like a modern Horatius."
+
+All three subalterns knew that the Rhodesian was the only man on the
+spot who had a rifle ready, yet generously they forbore to give
+expression to their thoughts.
+
+"See if you can find Mr. MacGregor," ordered Wilmshurst, addressing
+Bela Moshi.
+
+"Me go, sah," replied the sergeant, and promptly he set off towards the
+baobab, keeping his eyes fixed upon the ground.
+
+Arriving at the tree Bela Moshi rested his rifle against the trunk and
+with the agility of a cat swarmed up to one of the lowermost branches.
+Both Laxdale and Danvers could see that it was a different part of the
+tree from that in which they had taken refuge.
+
+Crouching on the enormous limb Bela Moshi remained motionless for a few
+moments--a patch of huddled black and khaki hardly distinguishable from
+the sun-baked bark.  Then he dropped lightly to the ground and by a
+movement of his arms signalled to some of the Haussas to approach.
+
+"By Jove, Bela Moshi's found him!" exclaimed Danvers, and the three
+subalterns hurried to the spot.
+
+It was MacGregor they saw, lying face downwards on a bed of dried
+grass.  The Rhodesian was unconscious, but on examination no trace of
+an injury could be found.  In his panic he had succeeded in climbing
+the tree as far as the lowermost branch and had been seized with a
+sudden faintness.
+
+While the three officers were bending over him MacGregor opened his
+eyes.  Gradually their haunted expression gave place to a look of
+bewilderment, until he realised that he was surrounded by friends.
+
+"By smoke!" he ejaculated.  "I had cold feet with a vengeance--and
+before a lot of niggers, too."
+
+"So did we--that is, Danvers and I were in a mortal hurry to get out of
+the way of the lioness," rejoined Laxdale.  "Good old Spofforth bore
+the brunt of it, and he's badly mauled."
+
+"Is that so?" asked MacGregor.  "I am sorry.  It's a bad beginning,
+this running away business.  I only hope the colonel and the others
+won't take it badly."
+
+"Don't worry, old chap," said Danvers.  "Feeling fit to foot it?  Good.
+We've got to get Spofforth back as quickly as possible."
+
+Walking with difficulty MacGregor managed to keep pace with the three
+officers, and presently the rough-and-ready stretcher was overtaken.
+Upon arriving at the camp the medical staff were soon busy, with the
+result that the wounds of the injured hunter were properly dressed.
+
+"Not so serious as at first sight," declared the senior medical
+officer.  "Unless complications set in he'll be fit in a month, but
+he'll carry the scars all his life."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+HOW THE KOPJE WAS STORMED
+
+A few days later the battalion left Kilwa for the scene of action, a
+strong force of Germans being located by seaplane reconnaissance twenty
+miles north of the Rovuma River and nearly four times that distance
+from the coast.
+
+Acting in conjunction with three battalions of the Waffs were a mounted
+Boer contingent and a Punjabi regiment that had already done good
+service in the northern part of the hostile colony, while three
+seaplanes were "attached" to the expedition for reconnoitring purposes.
+
+In high spirits the Waffs marched out of camp, eager for the chance of
+a scrap.  The only malcontents were half-a-dozen hospital cases who
+perforce had to be left behind; amongst them, to his great disgust,
+Second Lieutenant Spofforth, who though convalescent was unable to
+bluff the doctor that his arm was "quite all right--doesn't
+inconvenience me in the least, don't you know."
+
+At the end of four days' hard marching through scrubby grounds the
+troops began to climb the almost trackless hinterland, where water was
+scarce and vegetation scanty.  It was much of the same nature as the
+veldt in the dry season, kopjes being plentifully in evidence.  There
+were unpleasant traces of Fritz and his native auxiliaries, for several
+of the springs had been systematically poisoned and
+cunningly-constructed booby-traps were frequently encountered.
+
+Nevertheless all arms were sanguine of bringing the Huns to bay.
+Strong Belgian forces operating from the westward were driving the
+enemy towards the advancing British, while across the Rovuma Portuguese
+troops, well supplied with light field-artillery, were considered a bar
+to any attempted "break-through" on the southern frontier.
+
+Towards evening scouts reported the "spoor" of the enemy, for the
+ground bore the impression of thousands of naked footprints and those
+of about a hundred booted men.  A strong force of German Askaris,
+supported by a "white" body of troops with machine guns and mule
+batteries, were retiring in a north-westerly direction, while a small
+detachment had broken off and was making almost north-east.
+
+It was against the latter party that the Nth Waffs were to operate,
+since it was recognised that a small, mobile, and determined body of
+the enemy would give almost if not quite as much trouble as a large and
+consequently more cumbersome force hampered with guns in a difficult
+country.
+
+"Hullo!" exclaimed Wilmshurst, as a couple of Haussa scouts hurriedly
+and stealthily rejoined the advance guard.  "Tarry Barrel and Spot Cash
+have tumbled upon something."
+
+"Hun he lib for stop, sah," reported Tari Barl.
+
+"Stopping to make fight?" asked the subaltern eagerly.
+
+The Haussa shook his head, and moved his jaw after the manner of a
+person eating.
+
+"Lib for stop for grub," he exclaimed.  "After that on him go."
+
+"How far?" demanded Wilmshurst.
+
+Tari Barl indicated that the scouts had followed two distinct spoors
+for more than a couple of miles without actually sighting any of the
+retiring enemy.
+
+Acting upon this information the advance guard marched into the ground
+on which the Huns had recently halted.  Examination of the refuse and
+other traces revealed the fact that the enemy had been there but a few
+hours previously, for the ashes of the extinguished fires were still
+hot.  That the march had been resumed in a leisurely manner, showing
+that as yet the hostile detachment was unaware of the close pursuit,
+was evident by the systematic way in which the fires had been put out
+and earth thrown lightly over the embers.
+
+"We'll halt just beyond this spot," decided the company major, when the
+rest of the four platoons joined the advance guard.  "Hanged if I fancy
+bivouacking on the site of a Boche camp.  What do you think of the
+fresh spoors, MacGregor?"
+
+"That's the principal line of retreat, I think," replied the Rhodesian.
+"They can't go very much farther, for it will be pitch black in twenty
+minutes."'
+
+"Just so," agreed the major.  "Set the men to work, Mr. Wilmshurst.
+Mr. Laxdale, you will please send a runner to the colonel and tell him
+that we've proposed bivouacking here till dawn."
+
+Until it was quite dark the Haussas toiled, building sangars and
+constructing light connecting trenches with abattis of sharp thorns
+sufficient to deter and hold up a rush of bare-footed Askaris, since
+there was no knowing that after all the enemy had been informed of the
+presence of the pursuing column.
+
+In silence the men ate their rations, no fires being allowed, and
+sentries to outlying piquets having been posted, the troops slept
+beside their piled arms.
+
+"What do you think of our chance of overtaking the bounders?" enquired
+Wilmshurst of MacGregor, as the former prepared to visit the sentries.
+
+"We ought to surprise them just after dawn," replied the Rhodesian.
+"I'm just off to see the major and get his permission to try and
+discover their position."
+
+"But it's pitch dark," remarked Dudley.  "You couldn't see your hand in
+front of your face.  Man, you'd be bushed for a dead cert."
+
+"I don't know so much about that," replied MacGregor confidently.  "The
+fellows up at Umfuli often used to chaff me, saying that I had eyes
+like a cat.  Believe I have.  At any rate I'll risk it, and if I'm not
+back an hour before dawn my name's not MacGregor."
+
+"Let me know if the major agrees," said Wilmshurst.  "I don't want my
+sentries to take pot shots at you when you return--and they are all
+jolly good marksmen," he added in a tone of pride, for he had good
+reason to pin his faith upon the Haussas' accuracy with a rifle.
+
+It was not long before MacGregor returned.
+
+"Fixed it up all right," he announced, "and now I'm off.  If, just
+before dawn, you hear the cry of a gnu you'll know it's this johnny
+returning, so please keep the sentries well in hand."
+
+The subaltern accompanied the Rhodesian past the alert sentries; then,
+with Wilmshurst's good wishes for the best of luck, MacGregor vanished
+into the night.  In vain the young officer strained his ears to catch
+the faint noise of the Rhodesian's footsteps or the crackle of a dry
+twig under the pressure of his boot, but not a sound did the scout give
+of his progress.
+
+"Hanged if I'd like to take on his job," soliloquised Dudley, as he
+slowly felt his way to the next pair of sentries.  "I'd have a shot at
+it if I were told off for it, of course, but this darkness seems to
+have weight--to press upon a fellow's eyes.  S'pose it'll end in having
+to send out parties to bring the fellow in."
+
+Truth to tell, Wilmshurst was not particularly keen on his brother's
+chum.  Why, he could hardly explain.  It might have had something to do
+with MacGregor's conduct when the lioness charged.  But since then the
+Rhodesian had shown considerable pluck and grit, and his voluntary
+offer to plunge into the bush on a pitch dark night was a great factor
+in his favour, in Dudley's opinion.
+
+The subaltern's soliloquy was cut short by the dull glint of steel
+within a few inches of his chest--even in the darkness all bayonets
+seem to possess self-contained luminosity--and a voice hissed, "Who
+come?"
+
+Reassuring the sentries--there were two at each post--Wilmshurst
+received the report that everything was all correct.
+
+"Macgreg, him go," declared one of the Haussas, Macgreg being the name
+by which the Rhodesian was known to the black troops.
+
+Wilmshurst was astonished.  He had heard nothing of the scout's
+movements, yet the sentry, fifty yards away, had declared quite blandly
+that MacGregor had passed the outlying post.
+
+"How do you know that, Brass Pot?" asked the subaltern.
+
+The Haussa chuckled audibly, and holding his rifle obliquely with the
+bayonet thrust into the ground, placed his ear to the butt.
+
+"Macgreg him go and go," he answered, meaning that the Rhodesian was
+still on the move.
+
+In vain Wilmshurst tested the sound-conducting properties of the rifle.
+Normally of good hearing he failed to detect what to Private Brass Pot
+was an accepted and irrefutable fact.
+
+"Very good," said the subaltern, without admitting his failure.  "If
+you hear foot of Macgreg come this way before sergeant come for reliefs
+then you send and tell me.  Savvy?"
+
+"Berry good, sah," replied the Haussa.
+
+Having twice visited the sentries Wilmshurst returned to the bivouac to
+snatch a few hours' sleep.  It seemed as if he had only just dozed off
+when he was awakened by Sergeant Beta Moshi, who informed him that the
+men were already standing to and that the brief tropical dawn was
+stealing across the sky.
+
+"Has Macgreg returned, Bela Moshi?" asked Wilmshurst, stretching his
+cramped limbs, for he had not removed his boots during the last
+forty-eight hours, and with the exception of a brief interval had been
+on his feet practically the whole of that time.
+
+"MacGregor?" exclaimed Laxdale, who happened to overhear his
+brother-officer's question.  "Yes--rather.  It seems that he struck our
+main camp about an hour or so ago.  The colonel's sent to say that we
+are to attempt an enveloping movement.  The Boches are in force on a
+kopje about five miles on our right front--about eight hundred of 'em
+according to MacGregor's report."
+
+"That's good," declared Wilmshurst.  All the same he felt rather
+sceptical.  The spoor of the right-hand column of the retiring Huns
+hardly bore out the Rhodesian's statement, but evidently the scout knew
+his business.
+
+"Is MacGregor accompanying us?" he asked, as the three subalterns
+prepared to rejoin their respective platoons.
+
+"Fancy not," replied Danvers.  "He's pretty well done up, I imagine.
+The scrub's a bit thick out there, and a fellow can't crawl far without
+picking up a few thorns.  Plucky blighter, what?"
+
+"A" Company was to work round to the right of the hostile position, "B"
+operating to the left, both having two hours' start of the remainder of
+the battalion, which was to deliver a frontal attack simultaneously
+with the flanking movement.
+
+With the night-mists still hanging in dense patches over the scrub
+tactics were resumed.  Wilmshurst had good reason to be delighted with
+his men as the scouts and advance guards slipped off to their detailed
+positions.  At a hundred yards they were lost to sight and sound,
+threading their way with the utmost caution through the long grass like
+experienced hunters stalking their prey, while the various units kept
+well in touch with each other by means of reliable runners.  Other
+methods of communication were out of the question.  Flag-waving and
+heliograph would have "given the show away" with the utmost certainty.
+
+All feelings of physical tiredness vanishing under the magic spell of
+impending action, Wilmshurst led his extended platoon toward their
+allotted positions.  It was slow work.  The ground was difficult; every
+spot likely to afford concealment to a hostile sniper had to be
+carefully examined.  The absence of bird life was ominous.  It meant
+that either the returning Huns had disturbed the feathered denizens or
+else the advance of the Haussas had driven them over the enemy
+position, in which case the wily Hun would "smell a rat."
+
+It was noon before Wilmshurst gained his preliminary objective.  The
+tropical sun was beating down with terrific violence, the scrub
+offering scant shelter from its scorching rays.  Already the
+previously-dew-sodden ground was baked stone-hard, the radiating heat
+imparting an appearance of motion to every object within sight.
+
+Literally stewing, the subaltern threw himself flat on the ground under
+the slight shadow of a dried thorn bush, and waited, at intervals
+sweeping the bare outlines of the kopje with his prismatic glasses.
+
+Thirty long drawn-out minutes passed.  According to plan the enveloping
+movement ought to have been completed an hour ago, but not a sign was
+given that "B" Company had arrived at their position--a sun-baked donga
+at a distance of fifteen hundred yards behind the kopje.
+
+Up crept Bela Moshi, his ebony features distended in a most cheerful
+looking grin.
+
+"Hun him lib for sit down, sah!" he reported.  "Five Bosh-bosh (his
+rendering of the word Boche) an' heap Askari--say so many."
+
+He opened and closed his fingers of both hands four times, meaning that
+the hostile post consisted of five Germans and forty native troops.
+
+"They saw you?" asked the subaltern.
+
+"Dem no look," replied the sergeant.  "Too much busy make eat."
+
+"How far away?"
+
+"One tousand yards, sah," declared Bela Moshi.
+
+Writing his report on a leaf of his pocketbook Wilmshurst gave the
+paper to Tari Barl with instructions to deliver it to the company
+commander.
+
+Quickly the major's reply was received.  The hostile post was to be
+surrounded, but no action taken until the order was given for the
+concentrated rush upon the Huns holding the kopje.
+
+As rapidly as due caution allowed the enveloping of the outpost was
+completed.  From his new position, less than four hundred yards from
+the spot where the unsuspecting Huns were bivouacking, Wilmshurst could
+keep them under close observation.
+
+Three of the Germans were middle-aged men, bearded, swarthy, and
+dressed in coffee-coloured cotton uniform, sun helmets and gum boots.
+The other two were quite young men, whose attention, despite the heat,
+was mainly directed towards the Askaris.  Evidently some of the stores
+had gone adrift, for the young Huns were browbeating a number of
+natives, punctuating their forcible remarks by liberal applications of
+their schamboks, while their elders looked on in stolid but unqualified
+approval.
+
+"Dem make for one-time good shot, sah!" whispered Bela Moshi, calmly
+setting the backsight of his rifle.  "Blow Bosh-bosh him head-bone
+inside out an' him not know anyting."
+
+"Go steady, Bela Moshi," cautioned the subaltern.  "Pass the word for
+the men to fire one volley over their heads--but not before I give
+orders--and then rush them with the bayonet.  We want them alive,
+remember."
+
+A whistle rang out faintly away on the left.  The call was repeated
+much nearer, while distinct blasts rose through the heated air.  It was
+the signal for the advance.
+
+Almost as soon as Wilmshurst put his whistle to his lips a crisp volley
+from the rifles of his platoon rent the welkin, then with fierce shouts
+the khaki-clad, barefooted Waffs leapt to their feet, their bayonets
+glittering in the sun.
+
+At first, too utterly astonished to realise that they were hopelessly
+trapped and outnumbered, the Huns stood stock still, gazing stupidly at
+the converging ring of steel.  The Askaris for the most part attempted
+to bolt, but finding their retreat cut off, grovelled in the dust.
+
+"Hands up!" shouted Wilmshurst.
+
+The three bearded Huns obeyed promptly and meekly.  Of the others one
+held up his arms with sullen reluctance, his flabby face distorted with
+rage.  The fifth, dropping on one knee, picked up a rifle and levelled
+it at the on-rushing British officer.
+
+"The fellow's showing pluck, by Jove!" was the thought that flashed
+through Dudley's mind.  Like all brave men he admired courage even in a
+foe.  The fact that running over rough ground and firing a revolver at
+fifty yards did not give him much chance against a steadily held rifle
+entered into his calculations.
+
+Before the Hun could press trigger a score of rifles spoke.  The Waffs,
+on seeing their young officer's danger, took no chances, and the
+German, his head and chest riddled with bullets, toppled over stone
+dead upon the ground.  As he fell his fingers closed convulsively
+against the trigger of his rifle and the bullet intended for Wilmshurst
+sung past the subaltern's left ear.
+
+A loud yell from the other young Hun proclaimed the fact that he, too,
+was hit.  A bullet fired at the resisting German had been deflected,
+passing through the fleshy part of his comrade's left arm.  It was hard
+luck on a surrendered prisoner, but on these occasions luck, both good
+and bad, crops up at every available opportunity.
+
+"Sorry, Fritz," exclaimed Wilmshurst apologetically.  "Accident, you
+know."
+
+There was no time for explanation.  Directing a Haussa to attend to the
+Hun's injury and ordering others to round up and disarm the prisoners
+Wilmshurst hurried his men to the storming of the kopje.
+
+On all sides the Waffs were climbing the slopes, yelling and cheering
+vociferously, but not an answering shout came from the rocky summit.
+It required enormous restraint on the part of the foe to withhold their
+fire, while already the Haussas had passed the zone where a volley at
+comparatively short range would have played havoc with them.
+
+The silence on the part of the enemy seemed incomprehensible unless,
+not having sufficient numbers to hold the edges of the flat-topped hill
+they had concentrated at one spot, where with machine-guns they could
+rake the skyline as the Waffs breasted the top.
+
+Over the position the exultant troops poured, the one fly in the
+ointment being the fact that their rush had met with no resistance.  In
+extended order they re-formed and dashed across the plateau--a rapidly
+contracting line of khaki tipped with steel.
+
+Almost in the centre of the top of the kopje was an irregular mound of
+piled rocks and earth.  Towards this the Waffs charged, their officers
+momentarily expecting the rattle of musketry and the tic-tac of
+machine-guns.
+
+Without resistance the Waffs bore on, overran the supposed earthworks
+and found--nothing.
+
+There were not even traces of Hun occupation.  The enemy had got clear
+away with the exception of the small post rushed by Wilmshurst's
+platoon.  By an evident error of judgment on the part of MacGregor--a
+non-existent position had been the object of the column's attention,
+and although the operations were not entirely futile officers and men
+realised that they had experienced a great disappointment.
+
+Descending the kopje the Waffs fell in, having secured their prisoners
+under a strong escort.  The order to march was about to be given when
+the distant rattle of musketry was distinctly heard.
+
+The colonel looked at the senior major enquiringly.
+
+"A raiding crush, sir," replied the latter to the unspoken question.
+"While we've been on a wild goose chase Fritz is raiding our camp."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+THE WARNING SHOT
+
+Nobly the sorely-tried Waffs rose to the occasion.  Notwithstanding
+their arduous advance and its meagre results they eagerly hastened to
+meet the new danger, knowing that with the destruction of their baggage
+and transport and their lines of communication cut they would be in a
+serious position in the almost waterless scrub.
+
+They required little urging, the officers' words of encouragement being
+quite perfunctory although well-intentioned.  In open order with
+flankers thrown out the Waffs hurried through the bush, the sound of
+continuous rifle-fire growing louder and louder.
+
+"Button's holding out all right," declared the company-major to
+Wilmshurst, referring to the lieutenant left in charge of the camp.
+"He has MacGregor and young Vipont to back him up and twenty-five
+Haussas.  Hullo, what's that?"
+
+"German machine-guns, sir," replied Wilmshurst promptly.
+
+"Yes, worse luck," resumed the major.  "We've been running after the
+shadow and the substance butts in during our absence."
+
+An orderly came dashing up with a written message.  The major's face
+fell as he read it.
+
+"We're out of it again, Wilmshurst," he remarked, after the runner had
+been sent back with a confirmatory report.
+
+"How's that, sir?" asked the subaltern.
+
+"Orders from the colonel for 'A' Company to hold the position shown on
+the attached map, and to cut off the retreat of the enemy.  Here we
+are: see this kloof?  Three platoons are to lie in ambush at that spot,
+another--yours, Mr. Wilmshurst--will take up a position two miles to
+the north-west, in case any stragglers attempt to break through the
+smaller defile shown on the map.  It looks nothing more than a native
+path.  We'll find that out later on."
+
+At the word of command "A" Company halted until the rest of the
+battalion was almost out of sight.  Then the detachment, moving to the
+right in column of fours, marched at a rapid pace along a comparatively
+clear path through the scrub.
+
+When the three platoons had taken up their position at the indicated
+spot Wilmshurst's platoon had still a distance of two miles to
+cover--and that two miles was the roughest part of the whole day's
+march.  It was a disused track possibly dating back to the old days
+when the Arab slave-raiders traversed the greater part of Central
+Africa in search of "black ivory," and was now greatly overgrown by
+cacti and other fibrous plants.  Here and there palm trees had fallen
+completely across the path, while in no part was it more than a yard in
+breadth, being hedged in on both sides by dense tropical vegetation.
+And yet the track was distinctly marked upon the German-compiled maps
+with which the British troops were working.
+
+It was hardly a route that any European under ordinary circumstances
+would tackle under the glaring heat of the afternoon's sun.
+Mosquitoes--harbingers of malaria--and fire-flies buzzed in swarms,
+snakes and lizards, their hitherto undisturbed solitude rudely shaken
+by the stealthy patter of three score pairs of bare feet, wriggled
+across the swampy ground, while overhead thousands of frightened birds
+flew in large circles, chattering the while in a way that would alarm
+every Boche within a radius of three miles.
+
+A mile and a half of this sort of marching--the Haussas were in single
+file--and the platoon emerged into a wider track running obliquely
+across the path they had taken.  Halting his men Wilmshurst, assisted
+by Sergeant Bela Moshi, examined the ground.  There were evidences that
+a number of European and native troops had passed, going in the
+opposite direction to the Waffs' bivouac, while what was somewhat
+remarkable there were more recent tracks of a horse's hoofs.
+
+"Him am gov'ment horse, sah," declared the sergeant.  "Him lib for go
+plenty fast no time," meaning that the animal was a British Army mount
+(this from the peculiar shape of the horse-shoe prints) and had passed
+by quite recently.
+
+"Probably Sutton dispatched a mounted orderly to summon help," thought
+Wilmshurst.  "In that case the fellow's taken the wrong track.  He'll
+be back shortly.  Hope it will be before Fritz ambles along here--if
+it's our luck that the Huns do retire this way."
+
+Two hundred yards further on the scrub became quite scanty in a wide
+belt that terminated in a low range of hills.  The slopes of the rising
+ground were fairly steep except at a gap in the centre, where a deep
+ravine had been utilized by the makers of the road.  It was an ideal
+spot for an ambuscade.  Sheltering behind the cacti that abundantly
+covered the hill the Haussas could extend on a fairly broad front, and
+concentrate a heavy fire upon any enemy retiring along the path.  The
+maxim on its tripod mounting was set up to enable it to sweep the
+expected column with an oblique fire, its panther-skin encased
+water-jacket being camouflaged by foliage carefully placed so as not to
+obstruct the sights.
+
+Hardly were these preparations completed when, with a terrific roar and
+a tremendous cloud of dust, an explosive missile burst within two
+hundred yards of the platoon's position.
+
+"Dash it all!" ejaculated Wilmshurst.  "That's a thundering big shell.
+Keep down, men."
+
+The Haussas in natural and childlike curiosity were craning their necks
+to see the unexpected sight.  Just then a loud buzzing sound came from
+immediately overhead.  At the risk of being blinded by the terrific
+glare the subaltern glanced aloft to see a large seaplane that, having
+completed a long volplane, had restarted its engine.  By the
+conspicuous marks on the wings and fuselage Wilmshurst made the
+disconcerting discovery that the aircraft was a British machine, and
+that it was diligently engaged in attempting to bomb the Waffs out of
+existence under the mistaken idea that they were an enemy patrol.
+
+"That's done it!" muttered Wilmshurst.  "The silly joker has put the
+kybosh on our chances of surprising the Boches.  Lucky if we escape
+being hit with some of the infernal eggs!"
+
+With difficulty restraining the Haussas from opening fire, for they
+would not be convinced that the "great buzz-bird" could possibly make a
+mistake, and that it must be a Boche machine, Dudley awaited
+developments, watching with decided apprehension the seaplane circling
+to take up a favourable position for another bomb-dropping effort.
+
+The second missile burst in a donga a hundred yards to the rear of the
+Haussas' line, while a few seconds later a third exploded at half that
+distance again on the Waffs' flank.
+
+Wilmshurst was now sarcastically interested.
+
+"If you can't do better than that, old son," he chuckled, "you'd better
+hook it.  My word, if ever I meet you on terra firma, I won't forget to
+chip you."
+
+The ineffectual strafing continued for nearly a quarter of an hour.  At
+the end of that time the airmen, either discovering their mistake or
+else having been called up by wireless to attack more numerous forces,
+desisted from their present operations.  Banking steeply the seaplane
+bore away rapidly in a south-easterly direction, and was soon a mere
+speck in the azure sky.
+
+Followed a long period of inaction on the part of the Haussas.  Scarce
+daring to move lest a keen-eyed Askari should detect their presence,
+the Waffs hugged the sun-baked earth until the lengthening shadows
+warned them of the approach of night.
+
+The distant firing had passed from rapid volleys through desultory
+exchange of shots to a complete cessation.  The rest of "A" Company
+were not engaged, so it appeared to the still hopeful Haussas that
+their foes had effected a retreat in a different direction from that
+expected.  With the fall of night a large hostile detachment might
+easily slip through the scantily-held lines, and that accounted for the
+uneasy glances that the Waffs gave at the declining orb of day.
+
+"Hist, sah!" exclaimed Beta Moshi.  "Dey come."
+
+With every sense keenly on the alert Wilmshurst strove to detect the
+approach of the foe.  Already the men had slipped clips of cartridges
+into the magazines of their rifles, and, the exact range being known,
+had set sights to eight hundred yards, at which distance the retiring
+Huns would be on slightly-sloping ground practically destitute of cover.
+
+A cloud of dust rising sullenly in the still air marked the approach of
+the column.  The Huns were moving rapidly, although there were no
+sounds to indicate that they were fighting a rear-guard action, while
+there were no signs of any advance guard.
+
+"We've got them cold," exclaimed Wilmshurst, gleefully, then, "No. 1
+Section, volley firing, ready."
+
+Suddenly a shot rang out away on the left front of the concealed
+Haussas.
+
+"Who the deuce fired that?" thought the subaltern angrily, vowing to
+make it hot for the luckless black who could not keep control over his
+itching trigger finger.
+
+The mischief was done.  At the warning shot the retiring enemy stopped
+short almost in the jaws of the trap that awaited them; then at a hot
+pace they disappeared into the bush to be swallowed up in the rapidly
+deepening night.
+
+"Find out who fired that shot, sergeant," ordered Wilmshurst.
+
+Bela Moshi's efforts were unavailing.  Even when the platoon was
+paraded and every man's rifle examined the culprit was not discovered.
+
+"Jolly rummy," mused the subaltern.  "It's a dead cert that none of my
+men fired.  Some one did.  Why and for what reason?"
+
+Fired with anger at the futile ending to their tedious efforts the
+Haussas sent a deputation to the young officer offering to search the
+bush in the direction from which the shot came, for the men of the
+extreme left flank were emphatic in their belief that they heard the
+sounds of booted feet after the report.
+
+"Off you go, then," replied Wilmshurst.  "Hurry back if you hear the
+'Fall in.'"
+
+The two men selected--Tari Barl and No Go--lost no time in starting
+upon their hazardous quest.  Armed only with their bayonets the Haussas
+vanished into the darkness.
+
+Another period of tension ensued.  The tropical heat of the day gave
+place to intense cold as the parched earth rapidly radiated its heat.
+Presently the stars began to glimmer in the firmament, their brightness
+increasing to their full splendour of an African night.
+
+Still no message came for the platoon to fall back upon the rest of "A"
+Company.  Vaguely Wilmshurst began to wonder whether the outlying Waffs
+had been overlooked.  Sixty hours of almost continuous and strenuous
+work were beginning to tell.  Most of the Haussas, utterly worn out,
+were sleeping in easy yet undignified postures upon the ground, the
+only men keeping awake being Bela Moshi and the other section commander
+and sentries posted before Wilmshurst gave the word to stand easy.
+
+Even the subaltern found his head drooping.  Half a dozen times he
+pulled himself together, only to realise that the overpowering desire
+for sleep had him firmly in its grip.
+
+Suddenly the stillness was broken by the cautious challenge of one of
+the sentries.  Tari Barl and his companion were returning.
+
+"Well?" exclaimed Wilmshurst interrogatively, as the stalwart blacks
+stood stiffly to attention.
+
+"Man him gone," declared Tari Barl, with the important air of a person
+making a momentous statement.
+
+"Yes, I know that, Tarry Barrel," replied the subaltern impatiently.
+"Is that all?"
+
+"Me find dis in bush, sah," continued the imperturbable Haussa, holding
+up a small, glittering object for his officer's inspection.
+
+It was a recently-fired rimmed cartridge-case.  Holding his electric
+torch to the base of the case he gave vent to an exclamation of
+perplexed surprise.
+
+For on it were cut the British Government broad arrow and the Roman
+numeral V., which showed that the cartridge was similar to those issued
+to the Waffs on leaving camp at Kilwa.
+
+"Treachery!" muttered Wilmshurst.  "I wonder----"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+A TRUE MAN OR A TRAITOR?
+
+It was in the early hours of the morning when "A" Company marched into
+bivouac.  The men dismissed, Wilmshurst wrote out his report, handed it
+in and promptly fell sound asleep.
+
+The colonel, wisely deciding that little could be done with men worn
+out with sleeplessness and fatigue, issued orders that the pursuit
+would be abandoned until the Haussas had recovered their usual form.
+Meanwhile other columns were on the track of the raiders, who, but for
+the vigilance and dogged determination of Lieutenant Sutton, would have
+"wiped out" the Waffs' bivouac during the latter's wild-goose chase.
+
+For five hours the young officer, assisted by Second-lieutenant Vipont
+and a handful of Haussas, held the Huns at bay.  With rifle, bayonet
+and bomb the plucky sons of the Empire manned the frail defences, until
+the enemy, unable to achieve their objective, retired before the
+returning battalion could bring them to action.
+
+"Hullo, Wilmshurst!" exclaimed Laxdale, as the three subalterns of "A"
+company met just before a belated breakfast.  "What happened to you?"
+
+"A wash-out," replied Dudley.  "Held on till five this morning, and
+never a chance of a shot; or rather, when it came we were dished."
+
+"Heard the news?" asked Danvers.  "No?  We had it this morning.  The
+Huns have rushed a Portuguese position on the Rovuma.  The Portuguese
+skedaddled, leaving the whole battery of quick-firers intact.  I
+suppose it'll mean our chasing Fritz southward right through Portuguese
+East.  With luck we'll corner them on the Zambesi."
+
+"Guess you're wrong, Danvers," interrupted Laxdale.  "I know how the
+business is going to end; street fighting in Cape Town.  Fritz won't
+stand, so it's an everlasting chase until he's got the sea at his back."
+
+"Any one seen MacGregor this morning?" enquired Wilmshurst.
+
+"MacGregor?  Didn't you find him?" asked Vipont, who had joined the
+group of tired-eyed subalterns.  "After the column left camp--about an
+hour and a half, I should say--he asked Sutton to let him try and
+overtake the battalion.  Said he didn't want to swing the lead with a
+mere scratch on his shin-bone.  So he mounted and rode off.  That's the
+last I saw of him."
+
+"How long before the Huns attacked?" asked Danvers.
+
+"Three hours," replied Vipont.  "You don't suggest that a skilled scout
+blundered right on top of them?"
+
+"Not at all," his questioner hastened to assert.  "For one thing after
+he followed us he would be on a diverging route to that taken by Fritz
+& Co.  What do you say, Wilmshurst?"
+
+Dudley shook his head.  He had no particular cause either to like or
+dislike the man, but he hesitated to give definite utterance to his
+suspicions.  It was decidedly un-British to condemn a man before being
+sure of actual facts and to sow the seeds of distrust against an
+individual who was not present to defend himself.  But somehow the
+chain of events--the horse's footprints on the kloof road, the warning
+shot when the hitherto unsuspecting Huns were approaching the ambush,
+the mark V. cartridge case--all pointed to treachery on the part of
+some one, while MacGregor's disappearance coincided with the other
+points that had occurred to the subaltern.
+
+"He may be bushed," he replied.  "It's just likely that he'll turn up
+again soon.  Has his absence been reported?  I'll mention it, if you
+like.  I have to see the adjutant in a few minutes."
+
+Wilmshurst found the adjutant in his "office," which consisted of three
+walls of piled ammunition boxes, with a double covering of canvas.  The
+furniture was composed of a desk (an upturned packing-case) and a
+couple of chairs (smaller dittos) the former being littered with
+official forms and papers, for even in the wilds of Africa the British
+Army cannot dispense with red-tape formalities.
+
+"Mornin', Mr. Wilmshurst," was the adjutant's greeting as he returned
+the subaltern's salute.  "Want to see you with reference to that report
+of yours, don't you know.  Take a pew.  You'll find that case pretty
+comfortable, and come in out of the sun.  Look here: from your report I
+understand that a warning shot was fired, but not by any of ours.  Is
+that so?"
+
+Wilmshurst paused.  The adjutant was quick to notice his hesitation.
+
+"Come, come!" he continued sharply.  "Do you suspect any one?  If so,
+out with it.  We can't stand on sentiment in matters of this
+description, don't you know."
+
+"Are you aware, sir, that MacGregor left camp shortly after we left
+camp and has not returned?"
+
+"Hasn't he, by Jove!" exclaimed the adjutant.  "Well, what about it?
+Has that anything to do with the case in point?"
+
+"I hope not, sir," answered the subaltern, "but--but----"
+
+"Proceed," urged his questioner calmly.
+
+Wilmshurst, seeing no other course, boldly took his plunge, stating his
+views upon the connection between the scout's disappearance and the
+timely warning received by the retiring enemy, producing as evidence
+the rimmed cartridge case, which by reason of its shape and calibre
+could not be fired from a Mauser rifle.
+
+"Dash it all!" exclaimed the adjutant explosively.  "What sort of
+reptile have we been harbouring?  I'm afraid that what steps we take
+concerning him will be locking the stable door after the horse has
+gone."
+
+"We are working simply in conjecture, sir," observed the subaltern.
+"He may be all right, after all."
+
+"Conjecture, confound it!" shouted the other.  "What d'you call this?"
+holding up the cartridge case.  "If it isn't circumstantial evidence,
+what is?"
+
+At that moment an orderly put in an appearance.  "Macgreg him horse am
+come back, sah," he reported, saluting.
+
+The adjutant, picking up a sheaf of papers and putting on his
+sun-helmet, hurried to the lines where the horses were picketed,
+Wilmshurst following and the orderly bringing up the rear.
+
+Already news of MacGregor's disappearance had spread, although there
+was no thought of treachery in the minds of the other officers.  They
+had come to the conclusion that the Rhodesian in an access of zeal had
+blundered right into the enemy column.
+
+The appearance of the horse bore out this surmise.  The animal was
+lathered with foam, its eyes bloodshot and its limbs trembling.  Across
+the hind quarters was the sear of a bullet that had cut away the hair
+and left a slight wound in the hide.  One stirrup was missing, cut
+through by means of a sharp implement, while the saddle and reins were
+dappled with blood-stains.
+
+"Bless my soul, Manners!" exclaimed the colonel turning to the
+adjutant.  "What does this mean?"
+
+"Dunno, sir, I'm sure," answered the dum-founded officer.
+
+"We can't let the affair drop," decided the C.O.  "It's not fair on
+MacGregor to sit still.  Tell off a section and follow the horse's
+tracks.  Perhaps the man has been wounded--it looks very much like
+it--and may be lying out in the bush."
+
+Promptly Bela Moshi and about a dozen men were dispatched to follow up
+the spoor.  Good trackers all, they ought to experience but little
+difficulty, notwithstanding the fact that hundreds of men had been
+trampling the ground, for the Haussas vie with the Australian
+aborigines and the Red Indian in the act of tracing a man or an animal
+for miles with uncanny skill and persistence.
+
+Hardly had the Haussas departed on their errand when a couple of
+British naval officers literally staggered into the bivouac.  At first
+they were too utterly done up to speak.  They were parched with thirst,
+their drill uniforms torn in their long trek through the scrub, and
+their boots were cut almost to pieces.  One of them was limping badly
+as the result of a sprained ankle.
+
+Under the care of Doctor Barclay the stragglers soon recovered
+sufficiently to give a coherent account of their misadventures.  They
+were the observer and pilot of one of the seaplanes attached to the
+Rovuma column, their base being close to a large sheet of water formed
+by the inundation of the river.  Out reconnoitring they had discovered
+a party of Huns and had bombed them very effectually.  That was their
+version, although Wilmshurst had good reason to believe that they were
+quite under a misapprehension on that score.  On the return flight the
+engine developed ignition troubles, and there was no help for it but to
+plane down.  The airmen were lucky in being able to find a fairly open
+stretch of ground, but the unexpected happened.  The floats of the
+seaplane skidded over the hard ground and caught against some
+obstruction, with the result that the machine was badly damaged, the
+pilot and observer being thrown violently.
+
+Forty miles from their base the airmen realised that it was almost out
+of the question to make their way on foot through the scrub, especially
+as there were several small rivers to be negotiated.  So they decided
+to find the bivouac of the Waffs which they had spotted on their
+outward flight.  According to their estimate the distance was about
+eight miles, but in reality it was almost twice that distance.
+
+Owing to the intense heat they were compelled to discard their
+overalls.  Their foot gear was totally inadequate against the thorns
+and stony ground.  Without water and with only a bar of chocolate
+between them they experienced terrible hardships before they sighted
+their temporary refuge.
+
+Their chief anxiety was now the question whether the seaplane could be
+recovered.  On this score their minds were set at rest, when the
+colonel promised to send out a fatigue party to dismantle the machine
+and transport it to the banks of the Runkoma, a small stream
+sufficiently wide to allow the seaplane to taxi provided the floats
+were still intact.
+
+"You might take that job on, Mr. Wilmshurst," remarked his company
+commander.  "Your platoon will be just about sufficient to provide the
+necessary labour, and also a covering party, although I don't
+contemplate any trouble from the Huns.  We've just heard that Fritz has
+had a nasty smack at Motungba, which more than counterbalances his
+recent success against the Portuguese on the Rovuma."
+
+The action to which the major referred was a brilliant little affair on
+the part of the main column operating in the Rovuma valley.  The Huns
+were found to be in a strong natural position, the defence of which was
+further increased by well-constructed trenches and entanglements.
+
+Notwithstanding the difficulties of a frontal attack, a Punjabi
+regiment stormed the defences, the Indians making terrific havoc with
+bombs.  The Askaris broke and fled, the Germans alone putting up a
+fight until they were either killed or captured.  The native levies in
+their flight were overtaken and cut up by a squadron of colonial horse,
+and with slight loss the Imperial forces scored a dashing little
+victory, capturing four field guns and one naval gun removed from the
+cruiser _Konigsberg_, beside a vast quantity of arms and ammunition.
+
+The result of this engagement was a junction with the gallant Belgian
+forces, the Huns being split up into two groups, of which the principal
+force was on the Portuguese border, while the other, subdivided into
+mobile detachments, was doubling back towards the Rufigi river.
+
+"These fellows will give trouble," declared the major.  "They won't
+stand.  They are in a mortal funk of enveloping movements; but by the
+time we've rounded 'em up we'll be jolly sick of the show, you mark my
+words."
+
+The return of Bela Moshi and his section diverted Wilmshurst's
+attention into another channel.  The Haussa sergeant had succeeded in
+following the spoor of MacGregor's horse for three and a half miles
+along the path taken by the Waffs of their practically barren
+operations against the kopje when the Huns had been reported.  Here the
+trail ended in a medley of hoof-prints, while hard by a rock were
+traces of the splaying of half a dozen bullets.  In the sun-baked grass
+in front of the rock were found ten used cartridge cases and a
+stirrup-iron, but a prolonged search faded to reveal any traces of the
+missing Rhodesian's departure from the spot where he had apparently
+been brought to bay.  There were hundreds of footprints all around;
+those of Askaris and Germans, for none of the imprints of booted feet
+bore any resemblance to those of Robert MacGregor.
+
+At the first opportunity the adjutant called Wilmshurst aside.
+
+"You didn't mention your suspicions to any one else?" he enquired.
+
+"No, sir," replied Dudley.
+
+"It's just as well for the present," continued Captain Manners.  "For
+MacGregor's sake I hope that you have done him an injustice, but I am
+quite convinced that you acted judiciously in communicating your
+suspicions to me.  However, there's still one point that wants clearing
+up.  The patrol did not find MacGregor's body.  Nor was there any spoor
+to show which way he went if he did succeed in breaking through the
+enemy.  The third surmise is that he might have been taken prisoner.
+If so, is it likely that the Huns provided him with a horse?  I think
+not.  Knowing Fritz as we do, the sort of thing that they would do
+would be to lash his wrists, and drag him at the end of a line--but
+Bela Moshi was emphatic that none of the boot-prints corresponded to
+those of the missing man.  Until the mystery is cleared up, we are at a
+loss to understand whether MacGregor is a true man or a traitor."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+ULRICH VON GOBENDORFF
+
+Hauptmann Max von Argerlich, senior surviving officer of the 99th
+Regiment of Askaris, was in a furious temper with himself and every one
+with whom he came in contact.  It might have been the unusual exertion
+of a forced march in the heat of the sun, or an insufficiency of food
+that had upset him.  The hard-worked Askaris had good cause to dread
+his passionate outbursts, for on these occasions lashes were ordered at
+the faintest pretext, for efficiency, according to the hauptmann's
+ideas, could only be maintained by an active display of physical force.
+
+Von Argerlich's depleted and harassed force lay entrenched at M'ganga,
+after having withdrawn from another fortified position half an hour too
+late according to the hauptmann's idea.  All but surrounded, the
+Askaris just managed to escape being captured to a man, and now,
+temporarily safe from pursuit, the regiment had arrived at a prepared
+position to await another column known to be retiring in a
+north-westerly direction.
+
+The hauptmann was a middle-aged officer, a Prussian who through some
+indiscretion that had given offence to his Imperial master had been
+practically banished by being sent to German East Africa.  That was two
+years before the war.  Upon the outbreak of hostilities he hoped by
+melodramatic means to find himself restored to favour, but to his
+chagrin he saw that younger officers gained promotion in the German
+Colonial Forces while he remained at this present rank of hauptmann.
+
+With a bottle of spirits by his side von Argerlich sprawled upon a camp
+bed, while in the absence of  mosquito curtain two lean Askaris,
+terrified by the Hun's drunken outburst, were diligently fanning him
+with broad leaves of a palm, knowing that if their efforts relaxed or
+developed into greater zeal than the hauptmann desired, the schambok
+awaited them.
+
+Von Argerlich had good cause to remember the scrap before the retreat.
+A bullet fired from behind had nicked his ear, and he knew that it was
+one of his Askaris who had fired.  As a warning he had ordered half a
+dozen of the luckless natives to be executed, but even then he was far
+from certain that the culprit was included in the number.  There were
+strong signs of mutinous insubordination in the ranks of the 99th
+Askari Regiment, and only the fact that the expected column was on its
+way to join the forces under von Argerlich's command kept the black
+troops in any semblance of order.
+
+The hauptmann was both sorry and glad on that account; sorry because he
+would automatically drop into a subordinate position when other German
+officers superior in rank came in with the column; glad, since there
+would be sufficient Europeans to overawe the iron-disciplined yet
+mutinous native troops.
+
+The appearance of the German sergeant-major interrupted the hauptmann's
+reveries.  Clicking his heels and stiffly saluting the veteran awaited
+his officer's permission to speak.
+
+"Well, dolt?" enquired von Argerlich thickly.
+
+"A scout has just reported that the Gwelba column has been sighted,
+Herr Hauptmann," announced the warrant officer.  "The advance guard
+ought to be here within half an hour."
+
+"It is well," replied the hauptmann, rising unsteadily.  "Tell
+Lieutenant Muller to get the men under arms.  Where's my sword?  Hans,
+you black schweinhund, bring me my boots, and take care that there are
+no centipedes in them, or----"
+
+Still grumbling the hauptmann buckled on his sword, donned his
+sun-helmet and boots and went out into the open space between the
+trench and the lines of low-built huts where the remnants of the 99th
+regiment--250 men out of a full strength of 1,200--were falling in.
+
+Worn and weary the advance guard of the column limped into the camp,
+followed at regular intervals by the main body.  With the latter was
+Oberst von Lindenfelt, the senior officer of the column, and another
+individual dressed in nondescript garments whose face seemed familiar
+to von Argerlich.
+
+"Greetings, Max!" exclaimed von Lindenfelt.  "Let us hope you have
+plenty of food.  We are almost starving."
+
+"Not much in that line, Herr Oberst," replied von Argerlich.  "How have
+you fared?"
+
+"Donnerwetter!" said the oberst vehemently.  "Things have gone badly.
+It is indeed fortunate that we managed to find our way in.  Had it not
+been for von Gobendorff here--you have met von Gobendorff before, I
+understand?"
+
+"Der teufel!" ejaculated the hauptmann, grasping the hand of the
+motley-garbed man, "of course I have.  Ulrich, ten thousand pardons,
+but in two years a man is apt to alter, especially in these strenuous
+times.  Has anything happened that you have been compelled to drop your
+Scottish name?  Let me think.  Ach!  I have it.  MacGregor, was it not?"
+
+Ulrich von Gobendorff shook his head.  "Nothing compelled me, Max," he
+replied.  "The time was ripe--therefore Robert MacGregor is no more.
+The name and character served their purpose," he continued, assuming a
+boastful tone.  "It was I who warned von Lindenfelt's column when it
+stood a good chance of being cut off at Gwelba kopje.  Again it is to
+my credit that a detachment of our forces was not ambushed at Zwarte
+kloof.  I covered my tracks very effectively, did I not, Herr Oberst?
+Himmel.  I have news for you, Max.  The brother of your personal enemy,
+Rupert Wilmshurst, is with the English forces operating against us.
+Several times I have spoken to him."
+
+"Has he any suspicion?" asked the hauptmann anxiously.
+
+"None at all," replied von Gobendorff.  "It was easy to tell him a
+plausible tale.  And how fares the interfering Englishman, Rupert
+Wilmshurst?"
+
+"We still have him in close confinement up in the Karewenda Geberge,"
+replied the hauptmann carelessly.
+
+"A personal matter?" enquired Oberst von Lindenfelt.
+
+"The accursed Englishman struck me a blow because I thought fit to
+chastise a thieving native woman," replied von Argerlich.  "That was
+when the fellow was still prowling round to find the ammunition which
+we buried in readiness for the present time.  Our good friend Ulrich
+trapped him."
+
+"Why didn't you shoot the Englishman as soon as I had departed for
+South-West Africa?" enquired Ulrich von Gobendorff.  "It would have
+been a simple solution to the difficulty, for dead men tell no tales."
+
+"I would have done so," replied the hauptmann, "but for this reason.
+There were hundreds of natives who saw him taken away under arrest.  If
+things go wrong with us they will most certainly inform the English.
+Also I do not wish to be a subject for reprisals, as I hear our foes
+are adopting that attitude.  If we are to be on the losing side it pays
+us to walk circumspectly.  By the bye, have you heard anything lately
+of your brother, Ernst?"
+
+"Not for many months," replied Ulrich von Gobendorff.  "The last time I
+received indirect tidings that he was doing good work in England.  It
+will take a very smart man to catch Ernst.  He is one of the most wily
+Secret Service Agents in the employ of the German Imperial Government."
+
+Oberst von Lindenfelt having dismissed the troops the three Germans
+adjourned to the hauptmann's quarters, where over the remains of the
+bottle of spirits conversation was resumed.
+
+"Tell me how you gave the Englishman the slip, Ulrich," asked von
+Argerlich.
+
+"It was quite a simple matter," replied the spy.  "I informed the camp
+commander--he was a simple sort of leutnant--that I was going to
+overtake the column, the column, by the bye, having been sent by me on
+a fool's errand to capture an imaginary laager on Gwelba kopje.
+According to previous arrangements I fell in with Hauptmann Schmidt's
+company, and he obligingly set a squad of his Askaris to work to stage
+the last stand of Scout MacGregor.  We trampled the grass, left a few
+cartridge cases lying about and sent my borrowed horse away with a
+bullet-wound in his flank to hurry him up, and to give additional
+colour to the effect.  I should not be surprised to see the name of
+Robert MacGregor posthumously honoured with the British Military Medal
+or something of that sort."
+
+The three Huns laughed uproariously.  Under the temporarily
+exhilarating effect of the rank spirit they were beginning to forget
+their physical exhaustion.
+
+"To be on the safe side," continued von Gobendorff, "it will be
+necessary for me to get as far away from the Nth-West African Regiment
+as I can.  I presume that you have no objection to my leaving you, Herr
+Oberst?"
+
+Von Lindenfelt grunted assent.
+
+"Can you get clear of the colony?" he asked.  "Every frontier is
+guarded, while since the _Jaguar_ succeeded in running her cargo of
+quick-firers ashore even the coast is rigidly patrolled by those
+accursed English cruisers."
+
+"Give me a dozen native carriers, rifles and ammunition, and I'll wager
+that before another fortnight I'll be in Rhodesia," declared von
+Gobendorff.  "Once there the rest will be easy; train to Cape Town,
+mail-boat to Plymouth, our splendid unterseebooten permitting; then,
+having applied to a certain compatriot in London for a forged passport,
+I'll cross to Flushing and be in German territory three months from
+now."
+
+"If you do, please don't forget to inform the authorities at Berlin
+that I am still doing good work for the Fatherland," remarked the
+hauptmann earnestly.  "The War Office seems to forget us out here."
+
+"Quite so," agreed von Lindenfelt.  "We do not get even Iron Crosses,
+although we are still holding out after two years of incessant
+guerrilla warfare.  Only the other day----"
+
+A junior officer stood in the doorway, his flaccid features working
+with excitement.
+
+"Pardon, Herr Oberst," he exclaimed, as he saluted.  "An English
+aeroplane----"
+
+"Donnerwetter!" interrupted the German excitedly.  "Is that so?  Von
+Argerlich, I trust that there is a positively bomb-proof shelter
+available?  How far away is the accursed machine, Herr Schmidt?  Is it
+flying in the direction of M'ganga?"
+
+"No, sir," replied the leutnant gravely.  He wanted to smile, but a
+display of mirth at the expense of a superior officer was not
+advisable.  "It has fallen at about twelve kilometres from here.  Our
+scouts reported that the two occupants were seen tramping through the
+bush in the direction of the English bivouac four miles south of
+Gwelba."
+
+"Why did not the Askaris shoot them?" demanded Oberst von Lindenfelt.
+
+"There were but three of our scouts and the Englishmen were armed,"
+explained the German.  "I would venture to suggest, Herr Oberst, that
+the men did well to return immediately with their report rather than
+risk being disabled in an attempt to engage the airmen."
+
+Von Lindenfelt pondered a few moments, then he turned abruptly to
+Ulrich von Gobendorff.
+
+"I believe you understand aeroplanes, Ulrich," he said.  "Did you not
+fly at the great Johannesthal meeting a few years ago?  I thought you
+told me so.  Ah! yes.  You will accompany Hauptmann von Argerlich and a
+half company of Askaris.  If the machine is easily repairable, fly it
+back here, otherwise destroy it.  Until this duty is performed I
+withhold my permission for you to leave the column.  Start as soon as
+possible.  A horse will be provided you."
+
+It was useless to demur.  The oberst's word was law.  Inwardly raging
+von Gobendorff rose to his feet, stiffly saluted and followed the
+hauptmann out of the hut in execution of von Lindenfelt's order.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+THE FIGHT FOR THE SEAPLANE
+
+At dawn Wilmshurst left the camp, accompanied by the full platoon, to
+attempt the salving of the crippled seaplane.  It was a comparatively
+easy matter to follow the tracks of the two airmen, for the
+down-trodden grass and the frequent sights of wisps of clothing
+adhering to the briars and thorns were evidences of a spoor that even
+an indifferent scout could determine.
+
+"Those two johnnies must have had a rough time of it," thought the
+subaltern.  "I can well imagine their difficulties.  It's a wonder they
+got to the camp at all, for there are distinct spoors of lions.  What's
+that, Bela Moshi?"
+
+"Big rhino him come by," reported the sergeant, pointing to heavy
+depression on the ground.  What he meant was that a rhinoceros had cut
+across the bush path not so very long ago, as the freshly trampled
+grass showed.
+
+"All right," replied Wilmshurst.  "Warn the men to be on the alert.  We
+don't want casualties."
+
+Bela Moshi hurried to the head of the column, for the Haussas were in
+single file, owing to the narrowness of the bush-path.
+
+At that moment the platoon was crossing a dried water-course, the
+ground shelving steeply on both sides.  The subaltern had an almost
+uninterrupted view of the heads and shoulders of the men preceding him
+as the foremost began the stiff ascent beyond the nullah.
+
+Suddenly the Haussas broke right and left, uttering warning shouts.
+Charging down the narrow track was a huge animal of the buffalo tribe,
+commonly known in Central Africa as a "bush-cow."
+
+The ground trembled under the thud of the brute's ponderous weight as
+it rushed at terrific speed to attack the khaki-clad blacks.
+
+One man alone stood his ground.  Dropping on one knee he fired straight
+at the centre of the tufts of hair that concealed the animal's eyes,
+the range being less than thirty yards.
+
+Dudley heard the almost simultaneous crash of the rifle and the thud of
+the bullet against the bush-cow's frontal-bone, but apparently unharmed
+the animal continued its headlong rush.
+
+Too late the plucky Haussa attempted to avoid the impetus by springing
+aside.  Even as he leapt to his feet the man was caught by the lowered
+head of the ferocious brute and tossed ten feet in the air.
+
+Across the bed of the dried-up stream the bush-cow charged, until
+Wilmshurst hurriedly came to the conclusion that it was quite time for
+him to dodge behind a tree.  As he made for shelter he saw the animal's
+fore-legs collapse and its ponderous carcass plough the ground.
+
+Making his way through the press of excited Haussas Wilmshurst saw that
+the bush-cow was stone dead.  The bullet had penetrated the brain,
+entering by a neatly-drilled puncture and emerging by a hole as large
+as a man's fist.  Yet, although hit in a vital spot, the animal had
+covered a distance of nearly fifty yards before collapsing.
+
+"One no go," declared Bela Moshi.  "Anoder him lib for come plenty
+quick."
+
+"Think so?" remarked the subaltern.  "Then don't stand bunched up
+together--extend.  Three of you lift Nara Gilul into the shade."
+
+Anxiously Wilmshurst examined the brave but unfortunate black.  Nara
+Gilul was fully conscious in spite of having fallen on his head, but
+two of his ribs were fractured and his shins were badly cut although
+protected by his puttees.
+
+"Nara Gilul him stop till we come back," suggested the corporal of his
+section in answer to Dudley's question as to what was to be done.  "Him
+'ab rifle an' ammunition.  Him lib to take care ob himsel'.  Berry much
+him fault."
+
+"That won't do, corporal," said Wilmshurst.  "We must send him back.
+Take five men with you.  It will be only two hours' trek."
+
+Accordingly the Haussas set to work to make a stretcher, performing the
+task with wonderful celerity.  They were on the point of lifting the
+helpless man when the shout was raised.
+
+"Bush-cow, him come!"
+
+"Take cover, all of you!" shouted the subaltern, loath to hamper his
+task by additional casualties.
+
+The Haussas obeyed with one exception--Bela Moshi.
+
+The sergeant, slipping a clip into the magazine, stood right in the
+centre of the path along which the second bush-cow was tearing, eager
+to avenge its mate.
+
+Wilmshurst made no further attempt to order Beta Moshi to take refuge.
+He realised that to do so would flurry the imperturbable sergeant, but
+he was entirely at a loss to understand why the Haussa was apparently
+courting disaster in precisely the same way as the luckless Nara Gilul
+had done.
+
+A rifle bolt clicked in the bush on the sergeant's flank.
+
+"Unload!" he hissed, knowing that the risk he ran from an excited man
+with a loaded rifle was greater than that confronting him.
+
+At a terrific pace the bush-cow bore down.  Twenty yards from the
+motionless man the brute lowered its head.  In that position its vision
+was obscured by the thick tufts of long hair.  Having taken its final
+"sighting position" the animal relied upon its momentum to achieve the
+destruction of its human enemy.
+
+The moment the bush-cow lowered its head Bela Moshi, with every sense
+on the alert, leapt sideways behind a tree.  Then, as the infuriated
+quadruped thundered past, the Haussa brought his rifle to the shoulder
+and fired.
+
+Thirty yards further the bush-cow dropped and died with a bullet
+through its heart, while the victor, grinning as only a black can grin,
+strode magnificently up to his victim and planted one foot upon the
+quivering carcass.
+
+The injured man having been sent back and the carcasses of the two
+animals dragged aside--they would provide excellent meat if the task of
+sun drying the flesh was not unduly delayed--the march was resumed,
+until on gaining the summit of a low hill the wings of the broken-down
+seaplane were visible as they rose obliquely above the scanty scrub at
+a distance of nearly two miles.
+
+Halting his men, Wilmshurst made a careful survey of the ground by
+means of his binoculars.  A number of large birds--_aasvogels_, or
+African vultures--were circling over the derelict.  It was therefore
+safe to conclude that no human being, unless helpless to lift a hand,
+was in the vicinity.
+
+In the midst of his investigations Tari Barl approached with a
+self-satisfied smile on his ebony features.
+
+"Askari him foots, sah!" he reported, holding up three fingers of his
+right hand to indicate that he had discovered the spoor of three of the
+German native soldiery.
+
+"H'm!" muttered Dudley.  "That's rotten news.  New spoor, Tarry Barrel?"
+
+The Haussa nodded vehemently, and led his officer to the footprints.
+
+Examination showed that three natives had been following the spoor of
+the two naval airmen.  The firm tread of the latter--for at that stage
+of the journey they were comparatively fresh--was partly obliterated by
+the typical imprints of a black walking stealthily on his toes, for the
+impress of the heels hardly occurred.  The Askaris had abandoned the
+trail a short distance from the brow of the hill, for there were marks
+where they had stood and debated, and the spoor leading in a
+north-westerly direction showed that they had gone by a different route
+from the one they had followed.  This track did not lead in the
+direction of the stranded seaplane, so Wilmshurst conjectured that the
+Askaris had made straight for their main body, possibly with the
+intention of bringing men to recover the trophy.
+
+Again the subaltern levelled his glasses and swept the skyline.
+Wending their way down a bare kloof were about two hundred armed blacks
+and three men in European garb riding in the centre of the column.
+
+"MacGreg him dar, sah!" exclaimed Bela Moshi.
+
+"Nonsense!" replied Wilmshurst, yet in his heart he was not at all sure
+but that the Haussa was right.
+
+"MacGreg him make palaver with Bosh-bosh," declared the sergeant.
+
+It was a contest between a pair of high-powered field glasses and the
+eyesight of a native.  Vainly Wilmshurst wiped the lenses and looked
+and looked again without being able to satisfy himself that Bela
+Moshi's statement was correct.
+
+"Here, you boy!" said the sergeant addressing Tari Barl.  "You come
+here an' use yer eyes all one time quick.  Say who am white man on der
+black horse."
+
+"Me tink MacGreg him come," replied Tari Barl after a brief survey.
+"No; me no tink me know."
+
+Wilmshurst waited inactive.  Until the approaching hostile column had
+descended from the high ground and the men were deep in the bush,
+attempt on the part of the Haussas to advance from the ridge would
+result in the latter's detection.  So, holding the men well under cover
+Wilmshurst kept the Huns under observation until it was safe to attempt
+a surprise.
+
+Long before the extended line of troops had marched into the
+scrub-laden valley, the subaltern was forced to come to the conclusion
+that MacGregor was not only with the enemy, but obviously one of them.
+As the distance decreased he could make out the man's features, quite
+distinctly, and could see him talking volubly with the German officers
+on either side.
+
+The Askaris were numerically far stronger than Wilmshurst's platoon,
+but the Haussas had a great advantage--that of being the surprising
+force.  In bush fighting especially this is a decided advantage, since
+the closeness of the ground prevents the troops attacked knowing the
+number or disposition of their opponents, while the moral effect of a
+sudden rush of well-armed and disciplined men upon enemies practically
+unprepared for the onslaught cannot be under-estimated.
+
+"MacGreg him make for maquisha," declared Bela Moshi grimly, as he
+carefully blacked the foresight of his rifle.
+
+"Maquisha" in the Haussa language signifies something more than
+finished.  A man might say, "I've finished eating," for example, and
+yet in a few hours he will be again satisfying his hunger, but
+"maquisha" signifies finished in the penultimate sense--the final
+extermination of a certain person or thing.
+
+"No, no, Bela Moshi," said Wilmshurst decidedly.  "We want MacGreg
+taken prisoner.  That's important.  Pass the word along; tell the men
+that there's a month's pay to the Haussa who takes MacGreg alive."
+
+It was rather a tall order, and Wilmshurst knew it.  MacGregor, now
+openly a traitor, would not be likely to surrender in view of the fact
+that a drum-head court-martial and an ignominious death in front of a
+firing-party would certainly be his fate.
+
+Returning his field glasses and confidently snapping the lid of the
+case Wilmshurst gave the word to advance in open order.  He had decided
+upon a position about two hundred yards short of the derelict aircraft,
+guessing that the still unsuspecting enemy would concentrate upon that
+objective, and thus form a compact and easy target for the Haussas'
+rifles.
+
+Naturally concluding that the airmen had chosen the most open stretch
+of ground available for the purpose of making their landing, Wilmshurst
+found that his judgment was sound.  Right in the centre of the valley
+the scrub was almost entirely absent, the ground being covered with
+grass little more than ankle deep in height and absolutely devoid of
+cover over a belt of nearly four hundred yards in width.
+
+Up to a certain point the Huns showed caution, for presently two
+Askaris, pushing on ahead of the main body, came into view.  That they
+expected no danger was apparent from the fact that they had their
+rifles slung.  At the sight of the derelict seaplane they stood
+stock-still, for it was the first aircraft at rest that they had seen.
+Then bounding across the intervening stretch of grass they wandered
+round and round the machine, jabbering and pointing out to each other
+various parts of the aeroplane that particularly struck their attention.
+
+The shrill blasts of a whistle diverted their thoughts into another
+direction.  The officer in charge of the Askari column had signalled to
+the scouts to advance and examine the scrub beyond the place where the
+seaplane stood.
+
+Like well-trained dogs the two native soldiers obeyed, and with their
+rifles still slung they hastened towards the position occupied by the
+alert Haussas, passing between two clumps of cacti behind which were
+hiding Tari Barl, No Go, Double-headed Penny and two more of No. 1
+Section.
+
+The Haussas let them pass.  Unsuspicious the Askaris proceeded until
+their movements were hidden from their friends by the intervening
+scrub, then with hardly a sound the five lithe and muscular Waffs leapt
+upon them.
+
+Before the startled men could even utter a gurgle they were lying flat
+on their backs, unable to move hand or foot, while a hand laid over
+their mouths and a keen-edged bayonet laid across their throats warned
+them that silence was the only alternative to sudden death.
+
+Accepting the former choice the prisoners were bound and gagged, and
+taken a hundred yards or so into the bush, a Haussa mounting guard over
+them to make sure that the wily Askaris did not slip their bonds.
+
+Wilmshurst's anxiety was now the thought that the main body would not
+emerge from the bush, since the two scouts were not able to signal that
+all was well.  Several minutes passed, but still the German troops
+failed to debouch from the scrub.
+
+A stealthy footstep behind him made the subaltern turn his head.  To
+his surprise he saw Bela Moshi rigged out in the uniform and equipment
+of one of the captives.
+
+"Me give Bosh-bosh de word 'Come on' one time quick, sah," he
+announced.  "Me know how."
+
+Wilmshurst did not think fit to enquire how the resourceful sergeant
+acquired the information.  There are times when an officer does well
+not to question his subordinate's actions.
+
+"Very good, carry on," he whispered.
+
+Standing in a gap between two clumps of bushes Bela Moshi, grasping his
+rifle a few inches from the muzzle, held the weapon vertically above
+his head moving it to and fro five or six times.
+
+The decoy signal was almost immediately answered by the appearance of
+the main body of the Askaris and with them the three Europeans, who
+were still mounted.
+
+Wilmshurst let them approach until the foremost Askaris were within a
+hundred yards of the seaplane.  They were now in no semblance of order,
+surging impetuously forward, their officers towering head and shoulders
+above the throng.
+
+Sharp and shrill rang out the subaltern's whistle.  A volley, crisp and
+clear, burst from the line of admirably concealed Haussas, then each
+man "let rip" as fast as he could withdraw, and thrust home the bolt of
+his rifle and bring the weapon to his shoulder.
+
+It was such a tremendous surprise that for a moment the Askaris, save
+those who dropped, stood stock still.  Then, panic-stricken, they broke
+and fled, the German officers setting them the example.
+
+As the so-called MacGregor wheeled his horse Bela Moshi, who had
+withheld his fire, saw his opportunity.  At five hundred yards he sent
+a bullet crashing through the devoted animal's head.  Like a stone the
+horse dropped, throwing its rider to the earth.
+
+By some means the dried grass took fire, the flames crackling and
+roaring as they spread with great rapidity, fortunately away from the
+broken-down seaplane.  Through the whirling clouds of smoke could be
+faintly discerned the backs of the fugitives, many of whom dropped as
+they ran with a Haussa's bullet betwixt their shoulder blades, while
+remorselessly the devouring element made its way in the direction of
+the place where the traitor had fallen.
+
+So complete was the demoralization of the foe that Wilmshurst had now
+no hesitation in ordering an advance at the double.  Although the
+German levies still greatly outnumbered the Haussas the former had--in
+Tommy parlance--"the wind up properly," and numerical superiority no
+longer counted.
+
+With fixed bayonets the platoon swept forward.  Over the path of the
+fire the Haussas rushed, the still glowing embers failing to deter
+them, their bare feet notwithstanding.  Yelling and shouting they
+pursued their foes, sweeping aside all isolated attempts at resistance,
+until the remnants of the hostile column were driven more than two
+miles from the scene of their surprise.
+
+It took considerable efforts on the part of the non-commissioned
+officer to make the highly-elated Haussas desist from pursuit, but
+Wilmshurst knew too well the rashness of a prolonged chase through
+difficult country.  Retiring, picking up wounded and prisoners as they
+went, the Waffs re-formed on arriving at the open belt of ground where
+the brilliant little victory had commenced.
+
+By this time the scrub was well alight, fanned by the strong
+south-easterly breeze.  The fire was also working against the wind, but
+the concerted efforts of the Haussas prevented it approaching the
+derelict aircraft.
+
+In vain a search was made for the traitor who was known to the Haussas
+as MacGreg.  His horse, surrounded by half a dozen badly-charred
+corpses, was discovered, but of the rider there were no signs.
+Reluctantly Wilmshurst was forced to come to the conclusion that
+fortune had favoured the recreant, and that under cover of the dense
+smoke the fellow had either crawled away or else had been carried by
+some of the Askaris.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+PREPARATIONS
+
+"Well, sergeant; how many casualties?"
+
+Bela Moshi, wearing a broad smile, saluted.
+
+"Brass Pot, him head-bone blown inside out," he replied, as cheerfully
+as only a Haussa can when reporting losses amongst his comrades.
+"Nimshi Pali, him no good--maquisha.  Dat all dead, but plenty much
+Haussa hurt--so many."
+
+He indicated by means of his fingers that fifteen were more or less
+seriously wounded, a fairly heavy toll of the sixty odd men who had
+paraded that morning.  Nevertheless, the sacrifice had not been made in
+vain, for a numerically stronger force had been completely routed with
+the loss of eighteen left dead upon the field, and thirty-eight wounded
+and unwounded prisoners, together with fifty-nine Mauser rifles, which,
+for want of transport, were smashed after the bolt action of each had
+been removed.
+
+Having taken proper precautions against a surprise counter-attack,
+although such a step was unlikely in view of the demoralization of the
+defeated force, Wilmshurst directed his attention to the object of the
+expedition--the saving of the seaplane.
+
+West African natives are as a rule good carpenters and blacksmiths, and
+the Haussas were no exception.  Under Wilmshurst's directions they set
+to work to dismantle the machine, removing the planes as carefully and
+expeditiously as a party of crack mechanics from the Royal Air Force
+factories.  One of the floats was badly smashed, but the other was
+practically intact except for a small jagged hole in the three-ply
+mahogany.
+
+In a couple of hours the machine was ready for transport across five
+miles of bush country, although, fortunately, the ground was fairly
+level.
+
+A pair of mountain gun wheels on a broad base-line had been brought for
+the purpose, and the chassis, engine included, was rested on the axle.
+Relays of men steadied and propelled the heavy load, others armed with
+axes and entrenching spades going on ahead to clear the path.  Other
+parties transported the floats and planes, while advance and rear
+guards and flankers were thrown out to guard against a possible
+surprise, while an escort had to be provided for the prisoners.
+
+With frequent halts it was not surprising that the rate of progress was
+roughly one and a half miles an hour, and it was close on sunset when
+the rescued seaplane arrived at the banks of a small river, where the
+Waffs, having struck camp in the vicinity of Gwelba, had only just
+marched in.
+
+Colonel Quarrier was delighted with Wilmshurst's report and personally
+complimented him upon the way in which he had accomplished the
+difficult task with which he had been entrusted, and also the brilliant
+little action, which was quite unexpected.
+
+"Pity you didn't either plug or capture that worthless scoundrel
+MacGregor," he remarked, for there was now no doubt about the utter
+faithlessness of the supposed Rhodesian.  "A man like that will cause
+more trouble than a dozen machine-guns.  I suppose, in the course of
+former conversations with him, you did not detect any trace of a
+foreign accent?"
+
+"None whatever, sir," replied Dudley.
+
+"Or mannerisms?"
+
+Again the subaltern replied in the negative.
+
+"I can only hope," continued Colonel Quarrier, "that the fellow isn't
+an Englishman.  It is just possible that he is of German nationality,
+and that long years of residence either in Great Britain or the
+colonies has enabled him to totally suppress his Hunnish accent and
+traits, although it is almost an impossible matter to eradicate his
+sympathies for his kultured Fatherland.  'Once a German, always a
+German,' you know."
+
+Having been dismissed by his colonel, Dudley was questioned and
+congratulated by Captain Manners, the adjutant, who also expressed
+regret that the so-called MacGregor had contrived to escape capture.
+The members of the "Lone Star Crush" were boisterously warm in their
+congratulations, chaffing the subaltern as well as they knew; but
+Wilmshurst, alive to the mannerisms of his brother-officers, took their
+facetious remarks in good part.
+
+The two officer-airmen added their thanks and good wishes.  They were
+still too weak to walk any distance and had to be carried in
+roughly-constructed "dhoolies" by the Haussas.  Their relief on
+learning that the seaplane was safely alongside the river was great,
+especially when they were promised that the work of repairing the
+floats would be put in hand forthwith.
+
+"Your C.O. evidently wants to get rid of us," declared the pilot
+smiling.  "A crippled 'bus hampers the mobility of the column.  We
+heard that a runner came in just now before we left Gwelba, with the
+news that an ammunition column and details are on their way up-country.
+We've sent down for more petrol, so things look rosy--thanks
+principally to you."
+
+"That's nothing," expostulated Wilmshurst.  "Merely returning good for
+evil--that's all."
+
+"'Returning good for evil,'" repeated the pilot.  "I don't understand
+you."
+
+"Let me explain," continued Dudley, laughing at the thought of
+disillusioning the airmen.  "A day or two ago my platoon were posted on
+the M'ganga road.  We were just settling down nicely to give Fritz a
+warm welcome when you two fellows started dropping bombs on us."
+
+"Good heavens!" ejaculated the observer.  "We thought we were strafing
+a mob of Huns.  No damage, I trust?"
+
+"You would have heard of it before now if there had been," replied
+Wilmshurst.  "The nearest one just dusted some of my men, that's all.
+We couldn't get you to see that we were a Haussa platoon, and I had a
+nice old job keeping my men in hand.  They wanted to take pot shots at
+you.  By the bye, what made you chuck it--clear out after dropping only
+a few bombs?"
+
+"Our last, fortunately for you," said the pilot.  "I say, what a frost!
+An' we claimed four direct hits, didn't we?"
+
+"We did," corroborated the other dourly.  "We seriously considered the
+idea of giving you a couple of trays of Lewis gun ammunition, Mr.
+Wilmshurst.  You'd be surprised how difficult it is to distinguish
+between British and German native troops from any height.  By the bye,
+did you find a mahogany box in the fuselage?  Good! it contains
+undeveloped photograph plates.  One we took of your position.  I'll
+send along a print when we get back to our base.  It will interest you."
+
+The Waffs were to remain in camp for three days, pending the arrival of
+the convoy.  Even had the latter not been expected the Haussas were
+temporarily rendered immobile by the presence of the crippled seaplane
+and her crew, and also by the number of prisoners.  The captive Askaris
+were subjected to a strict examination, with the result that it was
+discovered that Robert MacGregor was really a German, and a person of
+some official capacity, since he was on friendly terms with the Hun
+commandant, while an Askari sergeant gave the traitor's name with great
+distinctness, Ulrich von Gobendorff, adding that the German used to
+have charge of a fortified post at Twashi in the Narewenda Hills.
+
+"That's not so very many miles from the Rhodesian border," thought
+Wilmshurst, as he made a note of the name in his pocket-book.  "I
+wonder if we are ever likely to operate in that district?"
+
+Other information given by the prisoners fixed the position of a German
+entrenched post held by three native regiments and a handful of whites,
+at M'ganga, under the command of von Lindenfelt.
+
+"M'ganga?  I thought this was M'ganga," exclaimed the puzzled adjutant,
+referring to a map.  "Ask the prisoner how far he marched and in what
+direction before he was captured?"
+
+The man having replied, Captain Manners was able to locate the spot.
+On the German-inspired maps it was shown as a place, whereas, according
+to the Askari's description M'ganga was a fairly extensive table-land,
+precipitous on three sides, while on the fourth the ground descended in
+a series of slight terraces to a broad but shallow river, fordable at a
+dozen places, within a distance of a couple of miles.
+
+"If only the beggars will stand," exclaimed Colonel Quarrier, "the
+place will be well worth going for.  With our small force a turning
+movement seems rather a tall order.  Of course, if we can get in touch
+with the Pathan regiments at Kilmoro--and there's a detachment of
+Rhodesian Light Horse, too, I believe."
+
+"Yes, sir," agreed the senior major.  "If we can co-operate--cannot we
+send a runner, sir?  He'll be back before the ammunition and a supply
+column comes in."
+
+In quick time the repairs to the seaplane were completed, and the craft
+moored afloat in a wide expanse of the river.  Owing to the difficult
+country, where an aeroplane fitted with landing-wheels would be at a
+loss to find a suitable spot to alight, a seaplane stood a better
+chance, owing to the presence of several wide rivers, and here the Sea
+Service machines of the Royal Air Force scored over the German
+aircraft; most of which were already _hors de combat_, and could not be
+replaced owing to the lack of material and the cutting off of German
+East Africa from practically all communication without.
+
+On hearing of the proposed attack upon von Lindenfelt the naval airmen,
+who were rapidly recovering from the effect of their arduous and
+perilous trek, volunteered to remain and co-operate.  For observation
+purposes and machine-gunning the Huns they would be able to render
+yeoman service, while, when their offer was promptly accepted, the
+ingenious officers set to work to manufacture bombs.
+
+These missiles, rough and ready in construction, were none the less
+formidable, while the moral effect was a great consideration.  The
+"eggs" consisted of small sacks filled with cordite, both loose and in
+cartridges, while by manipulating the fuses of Mills bombs, so that the
+period between release and explosion was increased to six seconds, the
+improvised missiles were made to detonate just before reaching the
+ground after a fall of six hundred feet.
+
+The tempestuous shouts of the Haussas announced the arrival of the
+transport column, for food was beginning to run short and the men's
+rations would have had to have been reduced had not the expected stores
+been speedily forthcoming.  There was petrol, too, enough for a series
+of flights over a distance of two hundred miles; while to the intense
+satisfaction of officers and men big Jock Spofforth rejoined the
+regiment, looking none the worse for his encounter with the lioness,
+except for the still raw scars on his brawny arms.
+
+"Just in time for a dust-up, I find, old man," was his reply to
+Wilmshurst's greeting.  "You've been lucky already, I hear?  Where's
+that MacGregor chap?  Is he still with the battalion?"
+
+Briefly Dudley explained what had happened.
+
+"Skunk," muttered Spofforth.  "So we've been taking a dirty Hun under
+our wing, so to speak.  I don't mind admitting now that I didn't think
+much of the blighter when he pushed off and promptly fainted."
+
+"But I scooted, too," interrupted Laxdale, "and left you to tackle the
+lioness."
+
+"I also plead guilty," added Danvers.
+
+"But with this difference," rejoined Spofforth: "you were unarmed and
+he had a rifle.  Ah, well; you fellows have stolen a march on me, and
+I've a lot of leeway to make up.  When do we move against M'ganga?"
+
+"As soon as we are in touch with the Indian crush," replied Danvers.
+"It may be tomorrow."
+
+"Hurrah!" exclaimed Spofforth.  "Let's hope it will be a decent scrap,
+and that von Gobendorff will be present at the meeting."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE SNIPER
+
+It was not until thirty-six hours later that the Waffs moved out of
+camp for the purpose of delivering a surprise attack upon von
+Lindenfelt's position.  From N'gere a strong force of Pathans,
+accompanied by a mule mountain battery, was marching in a
+north-easterly direction to cut off, if possible, the Huns' retreat,
+while the Rhodesian Light Horse was operating between M'ganga and the
+Karewenda Geberge in order to keep contact with any German troops
+likely to attempt to reinforce von Lindenfelt's garrison.  To still
+further encompass the hostile position a force of Belgians was
+approaching from the westward.  Even if these resolute and energetic
+troops failed to be in for the actual fighting, they would most
+effectually round up any stragglers, who would otherwise contrive to
+escape to the hinterland, where strong bands of Huns still maintained
+guerrilla tactics.
+
+Almost as soon as it was light the seaplane rose from the surface of
+the river and flew westwards to note the respective dispositions of the
+other troops operating against M'ganga.  In the absence of wireless
+Colonel Quarrier could receive the airmen's report only by means of a
+written message dropped from the seaplane, while before the storming
+troops were in position the airmen would have to return to their
+temporary base, replenish petrol and then fly off to bomb von
+Lindenfelt's stronghold.
+
+Progress was slow as far as the Haussas were concerned.  Although there
+were no indications that the Huns expected an attack so promptly they
+had made certain preparations.  The only approach from the south-east
+was by means of a narrow path through well-wooded and undulating
+country, and for miles from M'ganga the wily Germans had beset the road
+with pitfalls and booby-traps.  There were caltrops by the
+hundred--sharp-pointed spikes stuck into the ground, their tips
+cunningly hidden by dead leaves--which were responsible for a few
+casualties as the Haussas' bare feet came in contact with the barbs.
+These devices the blacks countered by means of implements shaped like
+exaggerated hoes which they pushed in front of them.
+
+Other defensive measures were heavy logs suspended by boughs
+overhanging the path by means of light but strong wires.  An unwary
+footfall would release a catch which in turn would cause the baulk of
+timber to crash to the earth.  There were old muskets, charged to
+bursting point with slugs and nails, which were fired by similar
+devices, while on three occasions fougasses, or land-mines, were
+exploded, fortunately without causing casualties.  The Haussas, not to
+be outdone by their Askari foes, had taken the precaution of driving
+oxen well in front of the advance guard, and although six beasts had
+been killed by infernal machines, the troops succeeded in crossing the
+belt of forest with a loss of five men slightly wounded.
+
+"The explosion of those fougasses has knocked on the head our chances
+of delivering a surprise attack," remarked the company commander to
+Wilmshurst.  "It will be a frontal attack against a prepared foe.
+Let's hope the Huns won't bolt."
+
+"That's the general opinion, sir," replied the subaltern.  "The men are
+simply longing for a scrap.  Fritz has thrown away one good chance.  He
+might have played Old Harry with us if he had posted a couple of
+companies in ambush in the forest."
+
+"I wasn't sorry to get clear of the place," admitted the major.  "A
+hundred men might have been lying in wait in those underglades and our
+flankers wouldn't spot 'em.  Hullo, here's the seaplane."
+
+Flying at a comparatively low altitude the machine approached rapidly
+"down wind."  In the clear atmosphere the concentric red, white, and
+blue circles that indicated its nationality were visible from a great
+distance, while presently the features of the observer could be
+distinguished as he leant over the side of the fuselage.
+
+Presently a small object to which coloured streamers were attached was
+dropped from the seaplane.  Greatly to the curiosity of the blacks, who
+watched the descending message with undisguised wonderment, the object
+did not explode on reaching the ground as they fully expected it to do;
+and it was with an absurd display of caution that Tari Barl and Blue
+Fly went to receive it.
+
+"The C.O--sharp!" ordered Wilmshurst.  "Don't hold the thing like a
+snake--it won't bite."
+
+Tari Barl departed on his errand, and returned presently, looking very
+crestfallen.
+
+"What's wrong, Tarry Barrel?" asked the subaltern.
+
+"Colonel him call me one time fool, sah," he reported.  "Him tell you
+come see him all in dashed hurry quick."
+
+"I wonder what Tarry Barrel has been doing?" thought Dudley as he
+hastened to report to his C.O.
+
+Colonel Quarrier was laughing, so were the adjutant and the regimental
+sergeant-major.  In the former's hand was the unrolled scrap of paper
+on which the airmen's message was written.
+
+"It's all right, after all, Mr. Wilmshurst," said the colonel.  "Your
+runner is a bit of a blockhead, as I think you'll admit.  Evidently
+under the impression that these coloured ribbons were a present to me
+from the skies, he handed over the streamers, while the case containing
+the writing, which had been soiled when it fell to the ground, he
+carefully cut off and threw away.  As you are here you may as well
+inform your company commander the news: the --th and --th Pathans are
+in their prearranged positions.  There will be a twenty-minutes'
+bombardment by the mountain battery in conjunction with an attack by
+the seaplane.  At four forty-five the Waffs will advance in three lines
+to the assault.  That's all, Mr. Wilmshurst."
+
+The subaltern saluted and withdrew.  It was now three o'clock and an
+hour and three-quarters were to elapse before the battalion went into
+action.
+
+"Looks as if we've cornered the beggars, Mr. Wilmshurst," remarked the
+major, when Dudley had communicated the C.O.'s message.  "I suppose
+they are still there," he added.
+
+The two officers searched the crest of the hill through their
+field-glasses.  So elaborate and skilful were the enemy defences that
+the powerful lenses failed to detect any trace of the rifle pits and
+sand-bagged parapets of the trenches.  Nor were any troops visible.
+The top of the table-land looked as deserted as an unexplored land in
+the Polar regions.
+
+Wilmshurst lowered his binoculars.  He was about to make some reply
+when to the accompaniment of a shrill whistling sound his helmet was
+whisked from his head, falling to the ground a good ten feet from where
+he stood.
+
+For some minutes the two officers regarded each other, the major
+anxiously the other whimsically.
+
+"Hit?" asked the major laconically.
+
+"No, sir," replied Wilmshurst.
+
+"Jolly near squeak," continued the other.  "I think we'll choose a
+little less exposed position to resume our observations."
+
+Dudley retrieved his helmet.  A couple of clean-cut holes marked the
+entry and exit of a bullet, the missile having missed the subaltern's
+head by a fraction of an inch.
+
+"We've drawn their fire, sir," he exclaimed.  "They are still there."
+
+"A sniper at eight hundred yards, I should imagine," observed the
+company commander.  "A jolly good shot for a Hun.  We'll try our luck
+again."
+
+Making their way to the depression in the ground where the Haussas of
+"A" and "B" Companies were lying, the two officers set a couple of men
+to work to rig up a dummy soldier.  When complete the effigy was slowly
+moved so that from the hostile position it gave the appearance of a
+Haussa brazenly and defiantly moving out in the open, while a dozen
+officers swept the ground on their front with their field-glasses to
+try to detect the faint flash of a sniper's rifle.
+
+A puff of smoke rose from behind a bush at a distance of half a mile,
+and almost immediately following the sharp crack of a rifle a bullet
+"knocked spots" off the effigy.
+
+Without hesitation twenty or more Haussas let fly in the direction of
+the puff of smoke.
+
+"What are you aiming at, men?" shouted the major.
+
+The score of blacks grinned unanimously.  In their minds they had no
+suspicion but that they had acted promptly and efficaciously.
+
+Again the dummy was held aloft, and again the same thing happened.
+
+"I've spotted him, sir!" exclaimed Wilmshurst.  "Caught sight of the
+flash about fifty yards to the right.  Fritz, old sport, you're
+exposed."
+
+While the riflemen were keeping up a hot fire upon the bush that they
+supposed was concealing the sniper the company-commander ordered Bela
+Moshi to turn a machine gun upon the position that Wilmshurst had
+spotted.
+
+Before twenty-four rounds had been let loose a man sprang three feet in
+the air, and fell inertly upon the ridge that had but imperfectly
+protected him.
+
+"Dead as mutton," reported Wilmshurst, after bringing his glasses to
+bear upon the ill-starred Hun.  "He nearly had me, though," he
+soliloquised, tentatively fingering the double perforation in his
+helmet.
+
+There was no lack of volunteers to examine the sniper's lair.
+Regardless of the risk of being potted at by other enemy riflemen Bela
+Moshi, Tari Barl, and Spot Cash crept forward, taking advantage of
+every available bit of cover.
+
+In twenty minutes the Haussas returned, reporting in characteristically
+native terms that the German's head had been literally riddled with the
+burst of bullets from the Maxim.  They brought his rifle and
+ammunition, his field glasses and a small electric battery.  In
+connection with the latter wires were run from the sniper's lair to the
+bush from which the puffs of smoke had been seen.  Here small charges
+of black powder had been placed so as to be exploded from a safe
+distance and thus deceive the Haussas as to the rifleman's actual
+position.  The Hun was a bit of a strategist, but he had overreached
+himself.  It was the dense smoke from the black powder that had given
+him away.  Had he used the so-called smokeless powder the Haussas might
+have expended hundreds of rounds without discovering the cheat.
+
+Wilmshurst examined the weapon that had so nearly done him in.  It was
+an improved Mauser, bearing the German Government proof mark and the
+date 1917, and was fitted with the latest approved type of telescopic
+sight, while on the muzzle was fixed a small metal cylinder that
+effectually silenced the report.
+
+"That's strange, sir," he remarked to the major.  "We distinctly heard
+the report."
+
+"We did," agreed the company commander.  "I cannot understand it unless
+the Boche for some reason fired several rounds with the silencer
+removed.  If so, why?"
+
+Before the discussion could be carried further a dull, booming sound
+came from behind the table-land of M'ganga, while at a little height
+behind the German position appeared the mushroom-like cloud of white
+smoke as the shrapnel burst.
+
+"Good!" ejaculated the company commander, replacing his binoculars.
+"We've had the orchestral selection; the curtain rises on the First
+Act."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+THE STORMING OF M'GANGA
+
+A loud whirring noise audible above the distant cannonade announced
+that the seaplane was passing overhead to participate in the strafing
+of Fritz.  Of necessity the airmen had to fly high in order to avoid
+being hit by the British shrapnel, but the summit of M'Ganga offered a
+big target and the bombs were soon dropping merrily upon the trenches,
+dug-outs, and storehouses of von Lindenfelt's position.
+
+In a very few minutes the table-land was enveloped in a piebald pall of
+smoke, yet no return fire came from the two 4.1 inch guns that were
+known to be with von Lindenfelt's column.  Apart from the bursting
+shells and bombs there were no evidences of movement in the Huns'
+stronghold--a circumstance that caused the Waff officers to wonder
+deeply and mutter under their breath.
+
+"Fix bayonets!"
+
+The sharp click of the weapons being fixed to the rifles rattled along
+the line of excited Haussas.  Then in open order the blacks hurried
+forward to take cover.  Nor did any hostile bullet seek to check their
+progress.  Without hindrance the black and khaki steel-tipped line
+gained a pre-arranged position within four hundred yards of the base of
+M'Ganga plateau.
+
+Here the men were halted to take a "breather" before essaying the final
+task, while the company officers foregathered, consulting their
+synchronised watches.  In another ten minutes--five minutes before the
+time for the bombardment to cease--the Haussas were to start on their
+desperate frontal attack.
+
+"How goes it?" enquired Wilmshurst of Jock Spofforth, as the giant
+strolled leisurely across from the platoon.
+
+"Rotten," admitted the other candidly.  His big fingers were trembling
+slightly as he applied a match to a cigarette.  "First time going into
+action, you know.  It's the hanging about business that gets on a
+fellow's nerves."
+
+"You'll be all right when the advance sounds," declared Dudley.  "I
+felt like it once."
+
+"Simply had to stroll over and have a palaver with you," continued
+Spofforth.  "I was afraid that my men would spot my hands trembling.
+Hope the Boches are standing.  Hang it all!  Why did nature let me grow
+to this height?"
+
+Spofforth was laughing now.  The mental tension of the seemingly
+interminable wait was over.
+
+"Two minutes more--hop it, old man," cautioned Wilmshurst.  "The best
+of luck."
+
+The whistles sounded.  Almost immediately, as if by some uncanny means
+the distant gunners saw that the infantry were in motion, the strafe
+ceased.  Overhead the seaplane still circled.  The bomb-dropping part
+of their task completed the airmen lingered to watch the advance, and
+if occasion offered to assist the storming troops by means of their
+Lewis gun.
+
+The natural features of the face of the plateau made the ascent a
+difficult one.  Often the Haussas had to climb upon their comrades'
+shoulders, and in return help them to surmount an awkward terrace; yet
+everything considered the triple line was well maintained, the blacks
+needing no encouragement from their white officers, who, perspiring
+freely in every pore, were well ahead of their men.
+
+The summit at last.  Well-nigh breathless, Wilmshurst, although by no
+means the first, drew himself over the rocky edge of the table-land to
+find the ground plentifully sprinkled with barbed wire entanglements.
+Although this form of defence had been badly knocked about by
+shell-fire there was still sufficient wire, either in tension or else
+in snake-like coils, to offer serious impediment to the advance.
+
+Suddenly the opening shot of a ragged, ill-aimed fusillade burst from a
+line of zig-zagged trenches a hundred yards from the edge of the
+plateau.  A Haussa, in the act of assisting a comrade, sprang high in
+the air, and fell, his hands in his death-agony clutching at
+Wilmshurst's ankles.
+
+Without knowing what trapped him the subaltern measured his length on
+the ground.  Probably the fall saved his life, for a corporal
+immediately behind him was shot through the chest.
+
+"Prone position--independent firing," shouted the major, realising that
+it was a forlorn hope for a few men to charge.  Until a sufficient
+number of bayonets was on the plateau a forward movement was out of the
+question.
+
+Coolly the Haussas threw themselves on the ground, taking advantage of
+every scrap of cover.  To the accompaniment of the constant whip-like
+cracks of the rifles other blacks clambered upon the fairly level
+ground until three companies were in readiness to continue the advance.
+
+Again the whistle sounded.  The crowd of prostrate Haussas rose to
+their feet, yelling and shouting as they lurched forward with levelled
+bayonets.  Men fell almost unheeded as the Waffs forced their way
+through the gaps in the barbed wire, and swept right and left to avoid
+the shell craters.  By this means platoons became intermingled, while
+companies overlapped each other, but steadily the onward rush continued.
+
+The Askaris in the first line of trenches did not wait.  The sight of
+the tips of the glittering bayonets was too much for their courage.
+Their fire ceased; they turned and scurried over the parados, followed
+by bullets from the Haussas and met by bullets from their German
+task-masters, who had taken the precaution of stiffening their native
+levies with a lead ration should they show signs of weakening.
+
+In this predicament the Askaris halted and faced about.  Already the
+Haussas were astride the first trench and interlocked with the nearmost
+of their foes, the while a German machine gun was playing on the
+combatants with the delightful impartiality that a Hun displays to save
+his own hide.
+
+Temporarily the Haussas' charge was checked.  The machine gun was
+playing havoc with them.  Then, suddenly, the ominous tic-tac ceased,
+while overhead came the pop-pop-pop of the seaplane's automatic gun.
+It was more than the Huns had bargained for.  Some dived into
+underground retreats, others bolted, showing a clean pair of heels to
+the Askaris, who were now resisting valiantly.
+
+In the mźlée Wilmshurst found himself attacked by three muscular
+natives, who for some reason did not attempt to fire, but fought with
+their rifles and bayonets.
+
+One the subaltern shot with the last cartridge in his revolver.
+Hurling the empty weapon at the head of the second--which the Askari
+avoided by adroitly stepping aside--Dudley parried a bayonet-thrust
+with the sole weapon at his disposal, a "loaded" trench-stick.  As he
+did so the second native closed, delivering a thrust that drove the
+bayonet through the left sleeve of the subaltern's tunic.  Before the
+man could recover his weapon, Wilmshurst brought the heavy stick down
+upon his fingers.
+
+Dropping his rifle the Askari gripped the subaltern's wrist with his
+uninjured right hand, while a third native ran in to drive his bayonet
+through the young officer's chest.
+
+A deafening report sounded close to Wilmshurst's ear; he felt the blast
+of a rifle shot on his cheek, but he had the satisfaction of seeing the
+Askari topple forward and bite the dust.
+
+Wilmshurst settled the third antagonist very effectively by delivering
+a crashing blow with his left upon the point of the Askari's chin.  The
+man relaxed his grip and dropped.
+
+"Thanks, Bela Moshi!" exclaimed Wilmshurst, catching sight of the
+sergeant as the latter thrust a fresh clip of cartridges into his
+magazine.
+
+The struggle in this part of the line was now over.  The Haussas were
+engaged in firing shots into the dug-outs to intimidate their German
+occupants.  Fifty or sixty prisoners were being disarmed and rounded
+up, while the wounded had to be given attention.
+
+Wilmshurst, picking up his revolver and reloading it, looked around for
+his brother subalterns.  There was big Jock Spofforth in the act of
+putting a first-aid dressing round a bullet wound in Danvers' arm,
+while Laxdale was sitting on the ground and nursing his left foot.
+
+There was no time to make enquiries just then.  It was satisfactory to
+learn that all the officers of "A" Company were alive; those who were
+wounded were making light of their hurts.  On the right flank the
+struggle was still in progress, and until all resistance was at an end
+Wilmshurst had no time for other things.
+
+Acting upon his company commander's orders the subaltern took charge of
+the task of clearing out the dug-outs, while the remaining platoons of
+"A" and "B" Companies re-formed, and hastened to the support of their
+comrades who were still hotly engaged.
+
+"If we only had a supply of bombs!" thought Dudley as he watched the
+ineffectual attempt of his men to induce the occupants of a deep
+shelter to surrender.
+
+Half a dozen Haussas were gathered round the entrance firing volleys
+into the cavernous depths, and punctuating the fusillade by
+quaintly-worded threats of what they would do if the Bosh-bosh didn't
+"show hand up one time bery much quick."
+
+Bidding his men be silent, Wilmshurst demanded the surrender of the
+Germans in the dug-out.  Hearing a British officer's voice one of the
+Huns replied defiantly:
+
+"We no surrender make to a schweinhund Englander.  We food haf for six
+week, an' you cannot hurt us."
+
+"Can't we, by Jove!" replied Wilmshurst.  "Sergeant, bring along that
+box of bombs."
+
+"Bery good, sah," said Bela Moshi, grinning as he hurried away a few
+steps on a phantom errand.
+
+"Now, then," continued the subaltern.  "I give you one minute to make
+up your minds; if you refuse to surrender we'll blow you to blazes.  I
+take the time from now."
+
+Half a minute passed in absolute silence as far as the vicinity of the
+dug-out was concerned, although three or four hundred yards away the
+desultory firing still continued.  Three quarters of a minute: there
+was a shuffling sound from the subterranean retreat and the guttural
+voice of several Huns engaged in excited debate.
+
+"Fifty seconds!" announced Wilmshurst.  "Ten seconds more."
+
+"Do not t'row der pomb; we surrender make!" implored a voice.
+
+"Out you come, then; one at a time," ordered Dudley.
+
+With his revolver ready for instant action should the Huns display any
+signs of treachery the subaltern awaited the appearance of his
+captives, while the Haussas stood by to back up their young officer
+should necessity arise.
+
+The first to appear was the junior lieutenant, looking very scared.
+Finding that nothing occurred to cause him physical hurt he held his
+arms high above his head, at the same time saying something to his
+unseen companions.
+
+Then came Hauptmann von Argerlich, pale-faced under his sun-burnt
+complexion.  He had good cause to feel afraid, for he was by no means
+uncertain that the British possessed a record of his deeds--deeds that
+might be worthy of the German arms, but certainly would not be regarded
+with any degree of favour by nations with any respectable code of
+honour.  Poisoning wells, for example, was quite a favourite and
+pleasant Hun trick when the perpetrators of the outrage were all able
+to place a safe distance between them and their foes; it was quite
+another matter when the officer responsible for the dastardly deeds was
+a prisoner of war.
+
+Three more Germans followed, and then came a full-faced, double-chinned
+Prussian, wearing an order on his cotton drill uniform.  In his hand he
+held a sheathed sword, the scabbard of which had already been
+unfastened from the slings.
+
+"I am Commandant Hendrich von Lindenfelt," he announced as captor and
+captive exchanged salutes.  "I make surrender and claim der treatment
+due to der brisoners of war."
+
+"That'll be all right," rejoined Wilmshurst.  "Please keep your sword
+until the colonel decides--I mean, until you are taken to Colonel
+Quarrier of the Nth Waffs.  Are all the German officers here?"
+
+"Yes," replied von Lindenfelt.  "All except those who killed and
+wounded are."
+
+"I am anxious to find a certain individual known as von Gobendorff,"
+continued the British subaltern.  "Can you give me any information
+concerning him?"
+
+The oberst seemed considerably taken aback.
+
+"I do not know any person so called," he replied after a slight
+hesitation.
+
+"Think again, Herr von Lindenfelt," prompted Wilmshurst.  "The man we
+want is von Gobendorff, otherwise known as Robert MacGregor, and is
+known to have belonged to the forces under your command."
+
+Von Lindenfelt shook his head, this time resolutely and defiantly.
+
+"I do know not," he declared.
+
+It was practically useless to press the question.  There were,
+Wilmshurst argued, other means of finding out.
+
+Setting a guard over the prisoners Dudley sent a file of Haussas to
+explore the dug-out.  In less than a minute the corporal returned.
+
+"Number one big hole, sah," he reported.  "Me no find no one time man
+in no place."
+
+As a result of this somewhat mystifying intelligence Wilmshurst entered
+the dug-out.  Descending a flight of a dozen wooden steps he gained the
+ante-room, a space fifteen feet in length and about seven in breadth.
+It was absolutely proof against the heaviest gun employed in the German
+East campaign, while, as a safeguard against bombs that might be lobbed
+into their retreat, the door of the second room was protected by a wall
+of sandbags backed with massive slabs of African teak.
+
+By the aid of flaming brands held by the blacks Wilmshurst was able to
+make a rapid, but none the less complete examination of the shelter.
+Evidently it was the headquarters dug-out, judging by the smashed
+telephone, the pile of broken instruments, and the heap of paper ash
+that littered the floor.
+
+At the subaltern's order the blacks prodded the walls with their
+bayonets and hammered the floor with the butt ends of their rifles, but
+no suspicion of the existence of a concealed "funk-hole" was to be
+traced.
+
+"Precious little here," commented Wilmshurst.  "I'll have to keep the
+place open for the colonel's inspection, I suppose."
+
+Regaining the open air he posted a sentry over the entrance and,
+collecting the German prisoners, awaited the arrival of the C.O.
+
+By this time all resistance on the summit of M'ganga was over.  Away to
+the north-east came occasional reports of rifle-firing, showing that
+the Pathans and the Rhodesian horse were engaging the fugitives.
+
+The one fly in the ointment was the escape of von Gobendorff.  There
+was, of course, the possibility that he had been shot or had contrived
+to slip away during the action.  In the latter case he had the cordon
+of troops to take into consideration; but knowing the wiliness of the
+man and the fluency with which he spoke English, Dudley began to feel
+rather dubious concerning the Hun's apprehension.
+
+Otherwise the brilliant little affair was highly successful.
+Practically the whole of von Linderfelt's staff had been either killed
+or captured; most of the Germans in the firing-line had shared a
+similar fate, while the surviving Askaris were either captured or had
+escaped in small numbers through the lines of the encircling forces.
+
+Von Lindenfelt had not counted upon the use of light artillery against
+his strong position, but the fire of the mountain batteries, assisted
+by the seaplane's bombs, had proved terribly destructive.  Of the
+4.1-inch guns mounted for the defence not one remained intact, their
+destruction materially helping the Waffs in their frontal attack.  A
+considerable quantity of military stores also fell into the hands of
+the victors, much of the booty being found upon examination to have
+been sent to German East Africa during the last three months.
+
+As a result of the operation a large hostile column operating in the
+neighbourhood of the Rovuma had ceased to exist.  There were other
+roving forces still in the district, and against these the Haussas were
+to operate in conjunction with other detachments.
+
+"It's all right when we catch Fritz sitting," remarked Spofforth.  "The
+trouble is that he strongly objects to be caught.  We'll have to chase
+him from the Rovuma to Kilimanjaro and back before we square up this
+business."
+
+"And, even then, corner him in Cape Town," added Danvers facetiously.
+"I can see myself spending my seventieth birthday on this job."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+THE FUGITIVE
+
+On the evening of the capture of M'ganga a white man, fatigued and
+desperately hungry, stood irresolute upon the banks of the Kiwa River,
+roughly forty miles from the scene of the Waffs' successful operations.
+
+It would have been a difficult matter to recognise in the jaded man the
+once well-set-up individual known in certain quarters as Robert
+MacGregor; nor was there much resemblance between the fugitive and the
+German secret service agent, Ulrich von Gobendorff--yet the man was
+none other than he whom the officers of the Haussa regiment
+particularly wished to lay by the heels.
+
+By a series of hair-breadth escapes von Gobendorff had succeeded in
+making his way past the Pathan infantry picquets.  For twenty minutes
+he had crouched up to his neck in the miasmatic waters of a forest
+pool, with thousands of mosquitoes buzzing round his unprotected head,
+while a patrol of the Rhodesian Light Horse halted within twenty yards
+of his place of concealment.
+
+And now, with a strip of linen tied round his head, a ragged cotton
+shirt, a pair of "shorts" that were hardly any protection from the
+thorny cacti, and a pair of badly-worn "veldt schoen" as the sum total
+of his clothing and footgear von Gobendorff awaited the fall of night
+in the depths of a tropical forest.
+
+His limbs were covered with scratches that were causing him intense
+pain and irritation; his face was swollen under the attacks of
+mosquitoes, until his bloodshot eyes were hardly visible above his
+puffed up cheeks.  Unarmed with the exception of an automatic pistol,
+he was about to brave the dangers of a night 'midst malarial mists and
+wild beasts of an African forest.
+
+As the sun sank von Gobendorff collected a heap of wood and leaves and
+kindled a fire.  For the present he judged that he was practically free
+from pursuit.  In any case he would take the risk of lighting a fire.
+It was not likely that British patrols would be wandering through the
+dense tropical vegetation during the hours of darkness.
+
+Under the wide-spreading branches of a baobab the Hun was able to make
+one fire serve his purpose.  Ordinarily he would have lighted three or
+four at a distance of five or six yards from each other, and thus found
+comparative immunity from the attacks of lions and hippos, but the
+baobab--it reminded him of a certain incident when he was "attached" to
+the Haussas--was able to protect both rear and flank from the voracious
+assaults of any four-footed creatures.
+
+As the fire blazed brightly von Gobendorff consumed his last ration--a
+small cube of highly-concentrated food, which he had in his possession
+on the development of the attack on M'ganga.  Throughout his flight,
+although tormented with the pangs of hunger, he had resolutely refused
+to draw upon his scanty commissariat.  And now it was eaten: for the
+rest of his journey he would have to depend upon his wits to obtain
+food.  Rather grimly he reflected that an automatic .302, although an
+efficient "man-stopper" in a _mźlée_, was not to be compared with a
+rifle as a means of procuring food.
+
+Although inured to exposure in a tropical country von Gobendorff was
+feeling severely the effect of the sun upon his insufficiently
+protected limbs.  In the rapidly cooling air his blistered skin was
+stretched so tightly that every movement of his neck, arms and legs
+gave him intense pain.  The mosquitoes, owing to the glare of the
+burning wood, had ceased their attacks, but the effect of their
+previous onslaughts was greatly in evidence.
+
+Slowly and carefully lying down on a pile of broad leaves the Hun tried
+to fall asleep, but in vain.  Racked in every limb, his head throbbing
+as if it harboured a rapidly working piston, he endured--waiting for
+the dawn that would give him no respite from his torments.
+
+Presently the denizens of the forest began their nocturnal activities.
+In the sluggishly-flowing river hippopotami floundered noisily.
+Elephants crashed through the brushwood making their way to the water,
+while at intervals rhinoceri and bush-cows charged blindly past the
+fiercely burning fire.  Von Gobendorff was in a big game hunter's
+paradise, but he failed utterly to show enthusiasm at the prospect.
+
+At intervals he crawled to his reserve stock of fuel to replenish the
+fire, knowing that if he allowed the comforting and protecting flame to
+die out he stood an almost certain chance of falling a victim to a
+four-footed foe.  Once a large bush-cow thundered almost through the
+blazing logs, bellowing frantically as a panther with its claws deeply
+dug into the huge brute's hide was remorselessly tearing at the throat
+of its prey.
+
+Monkeys, too, huge simians looking human-like in the dull red glare,
+came shuffling from the shadow of the neighbouring trees to gaze
+fixedly at the unusual sight of a fire.  Muttering, chattering and
+gesticulating they watched the Hun's bivouac for several minutes until
+the sudden spring of a large cat-like animal claimed one victim and
+sent the rest of the monkeys flying for their lives.
+
+With the first streak of dawn the nocturnal Bacchanalia ceased.  Von
+Gobendorff, who had longed for the break of day in order to resume his
+flight to a supposedly safe refuge in the Karewenda Hills, found
+himself unable to resist the sleep of utter exhaustion, and as the last
+faint wreath of pale grey smoke rose from the dying embers he dropped
+into a deep slumber.
+
+He awoke to find the glade bathed in brilliant sunshine.  The sun was
+almost overhead, while he himself was lying in the dense shadow cast by
+the overspreading branches of the baobab.  Through an opening in the
+otherwise dense foliage he could see the river rippling in the dazzling
+light, while partly hauled up the bank and partly resting between the
+reeds was a canoe--a dug-out of about twenty-five feet in length.
+
+"Himmel!" muttered the German.  "This is indeed good fortune."
+
+The means of crossing the broad Kiwa River was at his command.  He had
+made up his mind on the previous evening to risk a horrible death by
+attempting to swim the stream.  He had seen what appeared to be logs
+drifting silently with the eddying current--logs that on the approach
+of danger would reveal themselves in their true characters, for the
+river swarmed with hippopotami.
+
+Von Gobendorff was on the point of issuing from his retreat when the
+sound of voices and the rustling of the brushwood warned him that the
+owners of the canoe were returning.
+
+Listening intently he recognised the dialect as that of the Birwas--a
+native tribe occupying a considerable tract of the hinterland.  He knew
+the language well--he had the Hun's typical capability of acquiring a
+knowledge of foreign tongues.
+
+Presently the blacks came in sight--two lithe and stalwart natives
+armed with primitive bow and spear.  One man carried the hindquarters
+of a gnu, the other had a brace of birds dangling from the haft of his
+spear.
+
+With an effort von Gobendorff pulled himself together and strode boldly
+into the open.
+
+Halting, he signed imperiously to the Birwas to approach.
+
+The blacks obeyed promptly.  Experience had taught them to carry out
+the behests of their German masters with the utmost celerity.  With
+every indication of abasement they approached and awaited the white
+man's orders.
+
+Von Gobendorff pointed to the still warm embers of the fire.
+
+"I am hungry," he said.  "Get me something to eat and drink, and be
+sharp."
+
+While one of the Birwas cut strips of flesh from the gnu and spitted
+them on skewers, the other placed more wood on the fire and coaxed it
+into a blaze.  The grilling operation in progress the fire-tender ran
+to the canoe to return with a couple of small gourds of water, some
+dried berries somewhat resembling coffee beans and a flat cake of
+mealie bread.
+
+Von Gobendorff soon discovered that the natives had been serving in the
+German outpost at G'henge, a position overrun and captured by a Sikh
+battalion about three months previously.  They had, they declared, been
+very well treated by their new masters.
+
+The fugitive smiled grimly, immediately wincing as the movement of the
+facial muscles gave him a thrill of pain.  It was evident, he reasoned,
+that the Birwas had mistaken him for an officer of the British forces.
+
+Hardly able to wait until the meal was prepared von Gobendorff turned
+to and ate with avidity, washing down the food with copious draughts of
+hot and far from palatable beverage.  Having refreshed he ordered the
+blacks to hide all traces of his bivouac and made them carry him to the
+canoe.  He realised how imperative it was that he should cover his
+tracks, and by no means the least important measure was to prevent any
+prints of his veldt schoen being discovered on the moist marshland on
+the river bank.
+
+"Take me to Kossa," ordered von Gobendorff, naming a small military
+post on the Kiwa about thirty miles down the river, and at a point
+where the stream made a semi-circular bend before running in a
+south-westerly direction to join the Rovuma.
+
+For the first time the Birwas demurred.
+
+"There are strong rapids a little distance down stream," declared one.
+"We are not skilled in working a canoe.  Can we not take you across to
+our village, where there are plenty of men who will paddle you to
+Kossa?"
+
+"My word," said von Gobendorff, "is law."
+
+To add greater emphasis to his words he produced his automatic pistol.
+The argument was conclusive.  With every indication of fear the two
+natives pushed off, and seizing the paddles they propelled the unwieldy
+craft down stream.
+
+Compared with his previous mode of travelling the Hun found the journey
+bordering almost upon the luxurious.  He would have preferred a
+cushion, a double helmet and a sun-umbrella with a canopy thrown in,
+but reflecting that he was fortunate in being able to tackle the Kiwa
+without having to resort to swimming, he endured the glare with
+comparative equanimity.
+
+Concerning the perils of the rapids he decided to take his chances.  It
+was just possible that the Birwas had lied, hoping to deter him from
+his purpose.  That they were fairly experienced in the art of canoeing
+was evident by the way in which they skilfully avoided the numerous
+hippopotami, their broad-bladed paddles entering the water without the
+faintest suspicion of a splash.
+
+Whenever, as frequently happened, the canoe passed a native village von
+Gobendorff, no doubt with the loss of a certain amount of prestige,
+took up a position at full length at the bottom of the canoe, strictly
+warning his boatmen that they were to maintain absolute silence as far
+as his presence was concerned.
+
+The canoe had barely passed a small collection of huts when the two
+Birwas began to jabber vociferously, pointing at an object a hundred
+yards ahead.
+
+"Why this noise?" demanded von Gobendorff, who understood the cause of
+the conversation.  "You have passed dozens of 'river-cows' before?"
+
+"This one is awake and furious," replied one of the natives.  "We
+sought to keep to the bank, and the animal has seen us."
+
+The Hun sat up and drew his pistol.  A brief glance on either hand
+showed that there were no signs of escape by running the canoe ashore.
+The banks were here quite twenty feet in height, precipitous and topped
+with dense vegetation.  There was deep water close to land, while in
+mid-stream a mud-bank just showed above the swirling current.
+
+"Go on!" he ordered.
+
+The men plied their paddles vigorously.  Although the
+heavily-constructed canoe was incapable of any great speed, and was
+also undermanned, the commotion of the paddles and the frantic shouts
+of the two blacks made up for the lack of manoeuvring powers.  The
+hippo dived.  The canoe shot past.
+
+Von Gobendorff breathed freely, but he was too premature.  The
+hippopotamus reappeared amidst a smother of foam.  Its wide-open jaws
+closed up on the gunwale of the dug-out.
+
+The canoe listed dangerously.  The Birwas still further endangered its
+stability by standing upright and raining absolutely ineffectual blows
+with their paddles upon the armour-plated head of the amphibian.  The
+air in the vicinity of the heeling craft was thick with spray and
+flying fragments of woodwork.
+
+Raising his pistol von Gobendorff placed the muzzle within an inch of
+the hippo's right eye, and fired two shots in quick succession.  Then,
+without waiting to observe the effect, he put two bullets into the
+animal's left eye.
+
+With a stupendous jerk that dipped the badly shattered gunwale under
+the water the hippo relaxed its grip and disappeared.  Whether mortally
+wounded or not there were no means of ascertaining, but the brute was
+seen no more.
+
+Throwing their paddles into the bottom of the canoe the two natives,
+crouching on the uninjured side to keep the jagged hole above the
+surface, plied their gourds frantically in order to get rid of the
+quantity of water that had poured over the gunwale.  This task having
+been completed von Gobendorff noticed with a certain amount of
+apprehension that the freeboards betwixt the edge of the gaping hole
+and the water was less than four inches.
+
+In the excitement of the encounter the Hun had overlooked the fact that
+already the canoe was within the influence of the rapids.  The Birwas
+had spoken truly--there were cataracts; what was more there was now no
+means of avoiding them.
+
+The banks on either hand were still steep and precipitous, while,
+undermanned, the heavy canoe could not be propelled against the stream,
+the speed of which exceeded five miles per hour and was steadily
+increasing as the rapids drew nearer and nearer.
+
+The thunder of the foaming water could now be heard distinctly, as the
+canoe, held in the inexorable grip of the swirling torrent, swayed
+towards the danger.  The two natives realised their peril.  Their black
+faces were suffused with an ashy grey hue; their eyes were wide open
+with fear.
+
+"Paddle backwards!" ordered von Gobendorff, knowing that to attempt to
+turn the canoe would mean both loss of time and increased chances of
+being immediately swamped.
+
+With every muscle strained to its utmost capacity the Birwas strove
+desperately to back up-stream.  Anxiously von Gobendorff kept his eyes
+fixed upon a mark in the bank.  For a few minutes he watched--then he
+muttered curses under his breath.  The canoe was slowly yet surely
+losing ground.  He was fully aware that, apart from its damaged
+condition, the cumbersome craft stood no possible chance of escape in
+the maelstrom-like eddies of the rapids, unless by sheer good fortune
+combined with the skill of the two natives the canoe could be made to
+avoid the jagged rocks between which the waters of the Kiwa rushed.
+
+Suddenly the German caught sight of a huge teak-tree that, having been
+uprooted, was trailing over the banks.  It was a faint chance, but von
+Gobendorff decided to risk it.
+
+Raising his hand he pointed towards the tree-trunk.  Already the roar
+of the water made it impossible for the Birwas to hear him speak.  The
+men nodded and again began to ply their paddles vigorously, keeping
+close to the border between the main stream and a back-eddy by this
+part of the right bank.
+
+With a quick turn of his broad blade the bowman urged the canoe's bows
+diagonally against the mass of timber.  Caught by the full force of the
+current the dug-out swung round, crashed against the tree and, listing,
+was immediately swamped by the inrush of water.
+
+Von Gobendorff leapt to safety.  With cat-like agility he swarmed up
+the inclined bank.  Here he stood and waited, watching the efforts of
+the two natives to save themselves.
+
+The bowman had succeeded in getting astride the massive log and was
+endeavouring to extricate his companion from the peril that threatened
+him, for the other had been thrown out of the canoe and was pinned
+between the tree and the side of the water-logged craft.
+
+In spite of the Birwa's most strenuous efforts the trapped man was
+unable to extricate himself from the vice-like grip, for edges of the
+jagged hole in the canoe's side were pressing hard against his thigh,
+while the canoe itself, forced against the tree-trunk by the
+swiftly-running current, could not be moved in spite of the combined
+efforts of the two blacks.
+
+A third man would have made all the difference.  The trapped Birwa
+raised his eyes appealingly to the white man, but von Gobendorff
+stirred not so much as a little finger.
+
+The Hun, having no further use for the natives, was merely awaiting the
+catastrophe that would effectually cover his tracks.  Without the need
+of further aid from the Birwas he was now within measurable distance of
+the Karewenda Hills.  Another six hours ought to find him in at least
+the temporary shelter of the German fortified post of Twashi.
+
+With a sardonic expression on his face von Gobendorff waited and
+watched.  For a full five minutes the grim struggle was maintained.
+The trapped Birwa's strength was fast failing.  Already greatly
+exhausted by his strenuous work with the paddle he was rapidly
+collapsing under the strain.
+
+Suddenly he relaxed his grip.  The water-logged canoe dipped, and was
+swept under the tree, taking with it the doomed native, whose last
+despairing cry was drowned in the roar of the rushing river.  For a few
+moments the surviving Birwa remained kneeling on the inclined mass of
+timber, trembling in every limb, then, slowly and with every sign of
+temerity he began to make his way up the trunk to dry land.
+
+Raising his pistol the Hun fired straight at the man's head.  The
+Birwa's arms collapsed, he fell at full length upon the rounded mass of
+timber, and, slipping sideways, toppled inertly into the foaming
+torrent.
+
+"Hamba gachle!" exclaimed von Gobendorff, using a Zulu expression that
+he had picked up in his many and diverse wanderings through South and
+Central Africa.  "Dead men tell no tales, and you were in my way."
+
+Then, recharging the magazine of his automatic pistol, the German
+turned, and, setting his face towards the north-west, strode rapidly
+towards the Karewenda Hills.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+ON THE TRACK
+
+"Mr. Wilmshurst, I shall require you to proceed on special service,"
+said Colonel Quarrier.
+
+"Very good, sir," replied Dudley promptly, and awaited the C.O.'s
+instructions.
+
+It was the evening of the fall of M'ganga.  The prisoners had been
+collected and were about to be sent under escort to Kilwa.  Fully under
+the impression that he was to be detailed for this monotonous but
+necessary duty Wilmshurst had reported himself to his colonel, but to
+his intense satisfaction he soon found that such was not the C.O.'s
+intention.
+
+"Concerning this MacGregor-Gobendorff fellow," continued Colonel
+Quarrier.  "It seems as if he has slipped through our fingers.  We have
+been robbed of much of the satisfaction of capturing the position on
+that account.  The Rhodesian Light Horse patrols are all back and
+report no luck as far as the capture of von Gobendorff is concerned,
+and the same applies to the Indian troops.  From some of the prisoners
+we learnt that the fellow slipped away during the preliminary
+bombardment, and that he was not mounted.  I have arranged with Colonel
+Mopesson, of the Light Horse, for a mounted patrol to be sent in
+pursuit, and since it is desirable for some one to identify the Hun--it
+sounds like counting our chickens before they are hatched, by the
+bye--I propose that you accompany the Rhodesians."
+
+"Yes, sir," replied the subaltern.
+
+"Very good.  You have half an hour to make preparations," resumed the
+C.O.  "Take a batman with you--a man who can ride well.  You will
+rejoin your battalion at Kossa in three days' time, circumstances
+permitting."
+
+Wilmshurst saluted and withdrew to make his brief preparations.  Having
+given Tari Barl instructions to pack his kit the subaltern sent for
+Sergeant Bela Moshi.
+
+"Find me a man who can ride well," he said.
+
+A broad grin overspread the Haussa non-com.'s face.
+
+"No go for look, sah," he replied.  "Me know one time quick.  Good man;
+him ride like de wind."
+
+"Then bring him here," continued Wilmshurst.
+
+"Him here, sah--me, Bela Moshi."
+
+"I didn't know that you could ride," remarked the subaltern dubiously,
+fancying that Bela Moshi in his desire to accompany him was inventing a
+fairy tale concerning his equestrian abilities.
+
+"Me one-time groom in Freetown, sah," declared Bela Moshi.  "Me lib for
+ride any old hoss till him bust."
+
+"I'll try you," announced Wilmshurst.  "If you are wasting my time look
+out for squalls."
+
+At the lines where the horses were picketed the Haussa picked out a
+powerful-looking brute--a "salted" Cape horse which had shown
+considerable temper at previous times.
+
+Vaulting upon the animal Bela Moshi rode it barebacked, urging it at a
+gallop and finishing by taking a formidable obstacle in the shape of a
+cactus-bush.
+
+"How can do, sah?" he asked.
+
+"Good enough," replied Wilmshurst.  "Cut off and pack your kit.  We
+have only ten minutes."
+
+Well within the time specified the Haussa was ready for the trek, his
+kit consisting of a blanket, rifle and ammunition, a haversack and his
+cooking utensils.  In addition he carried his master's water-filter and
+a light waterproof tent weighing together with the socketed poles a
+little over two pounds.
+
+"Good luck, old man!" exclaimed Spofforth, as his brother subaltern
+rode off to join the patrol.  "Kindest regards to MacGregor when you
+meet him.  Tell him how awfully delighted all of us will be to see him."
+
+Wilmshurst's new comrades were all men of the Rhodesian farmer type,
+well set-up, sturdy, independent and resourceful--a band of chums
+voluntarily taken from their homesteads to render them immune from
+invasion by tackling the Hun on his own ground.
+
+All were splendidly mounted on horses inured to the miasmic climate,
+"led" animals carrying their necessary equipment.  Each man knew how to
+take care of himself.  He knew only the elementary principles of drill,
+but was none the less a very tough proposition for a Hun to tackle.
+Skilled in woodcraft and travelling, able to cover great distances with
+the minimum of fatigue, and capable of going on short rations without
+loss of efficiency the Rhodesians were ideal men for the work on hand.
+One and all had a score to wipe off; though few, if any, had fallen in
+with von Gobendorff they deeply resented the Hun's audacity in posing
+as a Rhodesian, while those who were of Scots descent and bore Scottish
+names were highly indignant at the idea of a German adopting the
+honourable and ancient cognomen of MacGregor.
+
+Through the far-flung Pathan outposts they passed and rode into the
+night.  Scores of Askaris, who had thrown away their arms, signified
+their willingness to surrender.  Some were questioned concerning the
+flight of von Gobendorff, their replies confirming the reports of the
+prisoners taken at M'ganga; and the surrendered men were ordered to
+return and give themselves up to the Indian troops, since the main
+objective of the patrol was the pursuit of the spy, von Gobendorff.
+
+That night the patrol bivouacked a short distance from a native kraal,
+the inhabitants of which gave them a warm, demonstrative and noisy
+welcome, at the same time providing them with a goat, plenty of mealies
+and water.  Enquiries elicited the information that a party of
+villagers had seen a white man hurrying through the bush, and
+fortunately had not given any indication of their presence.  According
+to the natives' report the fugitive was making in a north-westerly
+direction.
+
+"He'll have his work cut out to cross the Kiwa," declared the sergeant
+of the patrol.  "The river's pretty full just now and swarms of hippos.
+I doubt whether he'll tackle it at night."
+
+"In that case we'll boot and saddle an hour before sunrise," declared
+Wilmshurst.  "My man, Bela Moshi, will be able to follow the spoor like
+a cat....  Oh, yes, light as many fires as you like.  Von Gobendorff is
+too far away to see the glare."
+
+The night passed quietly.  Although there were wild animals prowling
+round they kept a respectful distance.  Men in pairs took turn in
+keeping watch, their comrades lying wrapped in blankets, with their
+feet towards the fire, each with his loaded rifle by his side.
+
+After a good meal, consisting of roast goat's-flesh, millet bread and
+hot chocolate, the trek was resumed, the Haussa following the spoor
+with the sagacity and skill of a sleuth-hound until it was light enough
+to enable the Rhodesians to follow up the trail.
+
+After a distance of five miles had been covered the patrol halted in
+perplexity, for, seemingly from nowhere another spoor joined that of
+the one they were following.  There were distinct imprints of two men
+walking--one wearing veldt-schoen, the other the heavy marching boot
+supplied to the German colonial units.
+
+The latter was of slightly recent origin, as witnessed by the fact that
+here and there the footprints of the boots had partly obliterated those
+of the veldt-schoen.
+
+"It strikes me we've only just tumbled on the right spoor," declared a
+Rhodesian.  "Of the two I should imagine von Gobendorff was wearing
+military boots.  I suppose you didn't happen to notice what he wore
+while he was attached to the Waffs?"
+
+"Boots and gaiters," replied Wilmshurst.  "But, of course, that was
+some time ago."
+
+"And boots are scarce in this show," rejoined the other tentatively.
+"When a man gets used to wearing a certain pair he's not likely to
+discard them in a hurry.  I'll bet that is von Gobendorff's trail."
+
+"And the other?" asked Dudley.
+
+"A nigger might be wearing veldt-schoen," suggested another Rhodesian.
+"Perhaps he looted them, and in his natural vanity, decided to put them
+on instead of slinging them round his neck.  In my experience I find
+that a native 'boy' will wear veldt-schoen, but he'll draw the line at
+boots."
+
+"In any case," remarked Wilmshurst, "the two spoors lead the same way,
+so we'll carry on."
+
+Half a mile further the tracks separated, the older ones continuing
+straight on, those of the boots breaking away to the left.
+
+After a brief debate the pursuers decided to follow the latter spoor.
+This they followed for another four miles until it vanished on an
+expanse of hard, sun-baked ground.
+
+"We're close to the Kiwa," announced one of the patrol, who had pushed
+on ahead for fifty yards.  "There's a kraal over yonder, and I can see
+the water between the trees."
+
+Into the native village the pursuers rode, to hear a tale of woe from
+the headman.  An armed German had passed through not an hour
+previously.  He had demanded food and native beer; he had made no
+attempt to pay for the articles, and out of sheer mischief had set fire
+to a hut.  Commandeering a canoe he had compelled the natives to ferry
+him across the river, and the four blacks who manned the craft had just
+returned with the news that he had gone into the bush.
+
+"What was the German like?" asked a Rhodesian, who spoke the language
+of the natives with the utmost fluency.
+
+The headman began to give an elaborate and detailed description, but it
+was soon evident that the pursuers were on the wrong track.
+
+"Dash it all!" exclaimed Wilmshurst impetuously.  "We've lost the
+fellow--what's that, Bela Moshi?"
+
+"Go ober dem water one-time quick, sah; den you catch Bosh-bosh as him
+go for run away."
+
+"That's a smart idea," declared Dudley, never backward in giving credit
+for other persons' ideas.
+
+"Quite good," agreed the section commander of the patrol.  "Over we go;
+the horses will have to swim."
+
+Borrowing a couple of canoes the pursuers stepped into the cumbersome
+craft, four men in each had their loaded rifles ready to fire at any
+hippos that might attack the horses; the others, grasping the reins of
+the well-trained animals, guided them across.
+
+The passage of the Kiwa--which was here about one hundred and twenty
+yards in breadth--was performed without mishap, in spite of the fact
+that the current ran at a speed of two knots, for the spot where the
+crossing was effected was two miles below the rapids that had all but
+claimed von Gobendorff as a victim.
+
+Just as the second canoe was running aground one of the natives uttered
+a cry of surprise, and pointed to a water-logged dug-out drifting
+broadside on down stream.  It was a prize well worth having, and
+without waiting to put Wilmshurst and the rest of the passengers ashore
+the blacks paddled out and secured the derelict.
+
+"Golly, sah!" exclaimed the Haussa sergeant.  "Him canoe have one-time
+man alive.  Now him dead as mutton."
+
+Lying on the bottom of the canoe with his head raised above the water
+was a native.  As the rescuing craft ran alongside the man opened his
+eyes.
+
+The call of humanity having a prior claim to the importance of the
+pursuit Wilmshurst and the Rhodesians rendered all the aid in their
+power to revive the badly-wounded man.  Examination showed that he had
+been shot at close range by a small-bore high velocity bullet.  The
+missile had scraped his right ear, and entering at the shoulder had
+emerged just above the third rib.  It was a nasty wound, but with
+ordinary attention it ought not to prove fatal.
+
+Finding that he was being well treated the injured man recovered
+sufficiently to explain what had occurred.  There was no mistaking the
+description of his assailant--also another crime had been added to the
+list against Ulrich von Gobendorff, that of attempted murder.
+
+"So the blighter is making for Twashi," remarked Wilmshurst, consulting
+his field service map.  "That's well up in the Karewenda Hills.  We may
+head him off even yet."
+
+Mounting, the patrol, their energies quickened by the evidence of this
+latest Hunnish atrocity, set off at a gallop across the comparatively
+open country betwixt the Kiwa and the base of the Karewenda Hills.  Woe
+betide von Gobendorff should he be spotted by one of the lynx-eyed
+Rhodesians.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+RESCUED
+
+It was well into the dry season.  As far as the eye could reach lay an
+expanse of sun-baked ground dotted with scrub and parched grass,
+terminating in the rugged outlines of the Karewenda Geberge.  In the
+clear African atmosphere the hills, although a good forty miles
+distant, looked no more than ten or twelve miles away.  With a powerful
+telescope an outpost on the high ground ought to be able to spot the
+khaki-clad horsemen as they spurred across the bush.
+
+The patrol had no immediate intention of following the fugitive's
+spoor.  Their idea was to cut off his retreat by keeping on a parallel
+route until they had out-distanced him, and then, by extending to the
+right, to achieve their object.  It was a game of hide-and-seek on a
+large scale--a contest of wits.  Around the spot where the Hun was
+supposed to be an extended cordon was being formed.  It was up to him
+to break through--if he could, but once detected he stood little chance
+against a well-mounted patrol composed of some of the crack shots of
+Rhodesia.
+
+"We've cut across his spoor," announced one of the men.  "Jones has
+just semaphored through.  We've nabbed him this time."
+
+The order was passed from man to man for the investing horsemen to
+contract the enfolding circle.  Each man, his rifle ready for instant
+use, trotted towards an imaginary centre, the while keeping his eyes on
+the alert for signs of the fugitive.
+
+Then, without warning, a column of smoke, beaten down by the strong
+northerly wind, rose from the scrub at a point a good two miles off.
+In a very short space of time the cloud increased in density of volume,
+moving with the rapidity of a trotting horse.
+
+At the signal the patrol closed.  The situation was serious, for not
+only were the chances of a successful pursuit knocked on the head, but
+there was the danger of the men being overtaken by the flames.
+
+"Start another fire down wind," suggested one of the Rhodesians.
+
+"The horses won't stand it," objected another.  "They're getting jumpy
+already."
+
+The man spoke truly.  The animals, scenting danger, were becoming
+restless.  The order was therefore given to mount, and the patrol
+galloped back in the direction of the Kiwa River, never drawing rein
+until they reached a ford two miles below the spot where they had
+crossed earlier in the day.
+
+So swift was the advance of the bush-fire that the scrub on the
+furthermost bank was ablaze within twenty minutes of the time when the
+patrol recrossed the river, while right and left for miles the ground
+was covered with fiercely roaring flames.  Clouds of black and brownish
+smoke swept across the stream, red hot embers mingling with the eddying
+vapour.
+
+The patrol held their ground, keeping their horses under control by
+adopting the expedient of covering the horses' heads with blankets.
+With the possibility of the bush on their side of the river taking fire
+this was the safest course to pursue short of a forty mile ride across
+difficult country with the devouring element hard at their heels.
+
+Mingled with the roar of the flames came the frequent crashes of
+falling trees, and the hiss of blazing embers as they fell into the
+water.  The heat was terrific, while at times the smoke was so dense
+and suffocating that the men had the greatest difficulty to breathe.
+Elephants, bush-cows, rhinoceri and swarms of smaller animals,
+stampeded by the flames, plunged panic-stricken into the river, taking
+no notice of the men as they dashed past them.
+
+For two hours the ordeal lasted, then, having consumed everything of a
+combustible nature the fire burnt itself out.  Almost miraculously the
+flames had failed to gain a hold upon the scrub on the nearmost bank.
+The river had formed the furthermost limit, but across the stream as
+far as the eye could reach there was nothing to be seen but an expanse
+of blackened thorn-bushes, from which a faint bluish vapour rose in the
+now still and sultry air.
+
+"Nothing more doing to-day, boys," declared the leader of the patrol.
+"We'll bivouac close to the village and try our luck to-morrow.  Ground
+will be cool enough by then, I reckon."
+
+"Von Gobendorff won't stand much chance in that," remarked another,
+indicating the devastated ground.  "We may find his remains.  That'll
+be some satisfaction."
+
+"Unless he started the fire," added Wilmshurst.
+
+"But we were surrounding his hiding-place," declared the first speaker.
+
+"We believe we were," continued the subaltern.  "It's just likely that
+we missed his spoor, and that he was to windward of us.  The fire may
+have started spontaneously, but it's my belief that von Gobendorff
+fired the grass."
+
+At daybreak on the following morning the patrol recrossed the river.
+With a heavy dew still upon the ground the devastated track gave the
+horses no inconvenience, although the air was heavy with the pungent
+smell of charred wood.  In extended order they followed the track which
+the fugitive had been reported to have taken until they arrived at the
+further-most limit of the fire.
+
+Each man as he closed in the centre made the same report--nothing had
+been seen of the body of the much-sought-after Hun.
+
+"We've drawn a blank, it seems," remarked Wilmshurst.  "There's nothing
+for it but to carry on until either we overtake him or come in touch
+with the enemy patrols.  We've a clear twenty-four hours before we
+rejoin our regiment."
+
+Mile after mile the patrol rode, but not the faintest trace of von
+Gobendorff's line of flight was to be seen.  Whether he was alive or
+dead was a mystery yet unsolved.
+
+Towards midday they arrived at a kraal situated in a vast semi-circular
+expanse of open ground bounded on three sides by scarps of the
+Karewenda Hills.  The greatest caution was now necessary, the task of
+the patrol, failing von Gobendorff's capture, being to find out whether
+the lower slopes of the hill were held in force or only lightly so.  If
+possible there was to be an avoidance of an exchange of shots with
+hostile outposts, but in any case the Rhodesians were to withdraw at
+the first sign of opposition.
+
+The headman of the kraal, like most of his kind, was very
+communicative.  Already the natives were appreciating the change of
+masters, for under German rule their lot was a hard one, forced labour
+and scanty or often no remuneration being the order of things.
+
+He had seen no one answering to von Gobendorff's description, but he
+gave other information.  The Germans were withdrawing their forces to a
+position on the northern slopes of the hills, and had already destroyed
+two guns which they were unable to remove from an abandoned redoubt
+about five miles to the east of the kraal.  He also said that a German
+patrol escorting a white prisoner had passed along a native path at
+less than a mile of the village only an hour or so previously.
+
+Questioned further the headman replied that the prisoner was not a
+"warrior"--meaning that he was not dressed in military uniform--and
+that for several months past he had been kept in captivity in the now
+abandoned fort.  Several of the villagers had seen him when they went
+to dig earthworks for the Huns.  In their hurried retirement the
+Germans had overlooked the fact that they had a prisoner, and the
+patrol had been sent back to bring him in.
+
+"How many men?" asked Wilmshurst, one of the Rhodesians translating the
+question and its reply.
+
+"Four white soldiers and ten Askaris, O chief," replied the headman.
+
+"Good enough," exclaimed Wilmshurst.  "We ought to be able to settle
+that crowd and release the prisoner."
+
+The headman willingly allowed two natives to point out to the patrol
+the path which the Huns had taken.  A reference to the map showed that,
+allowing the hostile patrol two hours' start, an ambush could be
+arranged at a spot four miles distant where the path crossed a spruit.
+It was unpleasantly close to one of the still occupied enemy outposts,
+but with quickness and decision the coup ought to be accomplished
+without much difficulty.
+
+The native guides, although on foot, had no trouble to keep up with the
+mounted men, and when the latter arrived at the place chosen for the
+surprise they found that the Germans were not yet in sight.
+
+Dismounted and accompanied by Bela Moshi Wilmshurst made his way along
+the side of the track until he came in touch with the hostile party.
+The Huns, suspecting nothing, were resting.  Two Askaris had been
+posted as sentries, but they, too, were lax, little thinking that there
+was any danger of a surprise.  The prisoner was seated at the base of a
+large tree, another Askari mounting guard over him.  His back was
+turned in Wilmshurst's direction, but the subaltern was able to discern
+that the unfortunate man was practically bald-headed and wore a thick,
+straggling beard.
+
+Up to that moment Dudley had been buoyed up by the hope that the
+prisoner might be his brother Rupert, but at the sight of the bent and
+aged figure his anticipations were shattered.
+
+"We'll have him out of their clutches, at all events," he soliloquised
+as he cautiously signed to Bela Moshi to withdraw.
+
+Regaining the patrol Wilmshurst explained how matters stood, and a
+decision was quickly formed to attack immediately, taking advantage of
+the lax state of the hostile party, without waiting for them to
+approach the previously selected spot for the ambush.
+
+Dismounting and leaving their trained horses under the charge of a
+piquet the men cautiously made their way through the scrub until they
+were within eighty yards of the still unsuspecting Huns.
+
+Extending the Rhodesians took up their desired position on a
+semi-circular formation, enabling each one to fire should necessity
+arise without the risk of hitting one of his own party, at the same
+time making it almost a matter of impossibility for the ambushed Huns
+to break away without being shot down.
+
+A whistle sounded.  Up sprang the curved line of khaki-clad troopers,
+each man covering one of the enemy with his rifle, while a stern order
+to surrender immediately was given to the completely astonished Germans.
+
+The Askaris obeyed the command without demur, but the Germans were made
+of stiffer material.  Throwing themselves at full length they grasped
+their rifles.
+
+It was a signal for the Rhodesians to open fire--and the Huns paid the
+penalty.  In less than a minute the action was over.  The Askaris were
+unarmed and ordered to take themselves off, their rifles having been
+broken and the bolts removed.
+
+Wilmshurst hastened to the prisoner, who at the opening fire had rolled
+on the ground by the side of a fallen tree.  The subaltern found him
+lying face downwards, unable to rise, his wrists and ankles being
+secured by thongs of raw hide.
+
+With a couple of strokes of his knife Dudley severed the bonds and
+assisted the released captive to his feet, for the man was so exhausted
+that he was incapable of standing unsupported.
+
+"You're all right now," said the subaltern reassuringly.  "Can you sit
+in a saddle for----"
+
+"Good heavens!--Dudley!" exclaimed the gaunt and haggard prisoner.
+
+It was Wilmshurst's turn to be dumfounded.  He stepped back a pace and
+looked the rescued man intently in the face.  Was it possible that this
+human wreck was his once well-set-up and powerfully-built brother?
+
+"Rupert!" he exclaimed dubiously.
+
+"That's me," rejoined the other.  "Rather, what's left of me."
+
+"Found an old pal?" enquired the patrol-commander, as the Rhodesians
+crowded round the object of their recent operations.
+
+"My brother," replied Dudley.
+
+"Good business," was the hearty rejoinder.  "But we must be moving.
+We've alarmed every enemy post within five miles of us."
+
+The patrol hurried back to the spot where they had left their horses,
+Bela Moshi settling the question of how the physically weakened Rupert
+Wilmshurst was to be moved by lifting him in his strong arms.
+
+"Nothing ob him, sah," confided the Haussa.  "Him weight of one-time
+porter load."
+
+It was an exaggeration of speech on the Haussa's part, for the nominal
+burden of a Coast porter is roughly sixty pounds, but Rupert's weight
+had decreased from a normal "twelve seven" to a little over seven
+stones.
+
+With the utmost dispatch the patrol remounted.  Bela Moshi gave up his
+steed to "Massa Wimst's brudder" and rode one of the led horses.  In
+single file the men retraced their course, maintaining a steady trot.
+
+As they entered the kraal where the headman had given them such
+important information they found the natives in a state of agitated
+turmoil.  The Huns had by some means discovered that these "black
+subjects of his Imperial Majesty the German Emperor" had entertained a
+hostile patrol, for within twenty minutes of the departure of
+Wilmshurst and his companions a party of Askaris, commanded by a German
+officer, had visited the village.  By way of punishment half a dozen
+huts had been burnt and an indemnity of fifty goats and a hundred
+litres of corn demanded, the headman and five other principal
+inhabitants being seized as hostages.
+
+So great was the faith of the blacks in the "white soldiers of King
+George" that they rose _en masse_, liberated the hostages and drove the
+Askaris from their village.  But the trouble was far from over, for
+native scouts reported a concentration of German troops on the
+south-eastern side of the village, while other Askari battalions were
+debouching from the north-east, having been hurriedly sent from one of
+the fortified posts on the Karewenda Hills.
+
+"And so our line of retreat is cut," remarked Dudley.  "Very well;
+we'll have to fight to a finish."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+'GAINST HEAVY ODDS
+
+The Rhodesians were men of few words.  They were men of action; of the
+same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against
+thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the
+last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears
+of Lobengula's warriors.
+
+The enemies that were threatening them were of a worse type.  The
+Askaris, naturally ferocious, were under German command, and the
+German, whenever he is confident that he is on the winning side,
+exhibited all the brutality and cruelty of his Hunnish ancestors.
+Attila was a scourge; his modern descendants are simply imitators who,
+having the thin veneer of civilisation, combine science with bestial
+brutality in their methods of waging war.
+
+Two of the troopers who were acquainted with the native dialect
+proceeded to place the village under a rough form of organisation.  In
+spite of the severe restrictions laid upon the natives by their German
+taskmasters--amongst others they were not allowed to carry arms--the
+blacks managed to produce long-secreted numbers of spears, bows and
+arrows and a few antiquated smooth-bore muskets.
+
+Men were sent into the bush to cut down thorns and sharpened stakes.
+These were set up in front of the existing stockade, the inner side of
+which was still further strengthened by earth thrown up from a trench
+three feet from its base.  "Panjies" or sharpened bamboos were set
+obliquely from the foot of the stockade, on the outside, to check a
+rush at close quarters; the stockade itself, forming no protection
+against modern rifle-fire, was to be used merely as an obstacle, the
+defenders seeking cover in the ditch and behind the embankment formed
+from the excavated material.
+
+Hardly were these preparations completed when the shrill notes of a
+bugle rang out, and a mounted officer, followed by a native orderly
+bearing a white flag, appeared from the cover afforded by the bush.
+
+Evidently the Huns had more faith in the Briton's respect for the flag
+of truce than they had regard for that emblem in the hands of their
+foes, for after a brief pause the officer, finding that his appearance
+was not greeted with a volley of rifle-bullets, trotted boldly towards
+the closed gate of the stockade.
+
+"Halt!" ordered the Rhodesian officer, when the German drew within
+audible distance.  "Deliver your message."
+
+The German, standing in his stirrups, shouted a demand for the instant
+surrender of the garrison, promising honourable treatment if the terms
+were complied with, and stating that the investing troops were fully
+aware of the weak numbers of the British patrol.
+
+"You might have spared yourself the trouble, Herr Offizier," replied
+the patrol commander.  "We mean to stick it."
+
+"Vat you mean by 'stick it'?" demanded the envoy.
+
+"To fight it out," was the grim reply.  "Come on; we're ready."
+
+The German made no further remark to the Rhodesian, but began an
+harangue in the native dialect, inciting the blacks to turn against
+their white allies, promising immunity and rewards.
+
+"Stop that!" shouted the patrol commander sternly, raising his voice
+above the angry murmur of the villagers.  "Another word and the flag of
+truce will not protect you."
+
+The Hun scowled sardonically, and out of sheer bravado resumed his
+incitement to the natives to surrender.
+
+Picking up a rifle the Rhodesian took careful aim at the horse's chest
+at point-blank range.  The weapon barked.  For a moment neither horse
+nor rider stirred, then without warning the animal's forelegs
+collapsed, throwing the Hun headlong in the dust.
+
+The terrified orderly wheeled, and casting aside the white flag, rode
+at full gallop to the shelter of the bush, his hasty and undignified
+retreat being carried out without let or hindrance on the part of the
+defenders of the kraal.
+
+The German officer lay where he fell, the dead steed pinning him down
+as it lay on its side with its hind, off-side leg rigidly extended at
+an oblique angle to the ground.  Partly stunned by his fall the officer
+tried ineffectually to rise; then after a while he relaxed and lay
+motionless in the broiling sun with swarms of mosquitoes buzzing round
+the prostrate horse and rider.
+
+Apart from the advantage of having a prisoner in their possession the
+call of humanity urged the defenders to release and bring in the
+injured Hun.  The barricaded gate was thrown open, and two troopers ran
+to effect the work of mercy.  Even as they bent over the prostrate
+officer and dragged aside the animal's carcass a ragged fire burst from
+the bush at a distance of five hundred yards.  Bullets ricochetted from
+the dusty ground or whizzed unpleasantly close to the men's ears; but
+coolly they proceeded with their task, and, unscathed, regained the
+shelter of the stockade, bearing their prisoner between them.
+
+"It's von Bohme, second-in-command of the Kelji Post," declared Rupert
+Wilmshurst.  He was too chivalrous to relate the indignities and
+hardships he had suffered at the hands of this Hun in particular.
+"They abandoned the post yesterday.  Unless I'm mistaken they've a
+couple of machine guns with them."
+
+"Any field guns?" asked Dudley anxiously.
+
+"Not to my knowledge," replied his brother.
+
+"Thank heaven for that!" rejoined the subaltern fervently.  "Well, how
+do you feel?"
+
+"Able to use a rifle," answered Rupert grimly.
+
+A heavy hostile fire was being maintained from three sides, the bullets
+either flying high--one of the characteristic faults of African native
+troops--or else knocking splinters from the timbers forming the
+palisade.  The defenders, lying close, made no attempt to reply, for
+the attackers were adept at taking cover and offered no target to the
+former's fire.  Presently, as Rupert Wilmshurst had predicted, came the
+rat-tat-tat of a machine gun, and a swathe of bullets traversed the
+open ground in front of the defences, rising until the hail of nickel
+simply cut a gap in the palisade like a scythe against the ripe corn.
+
+Between the huts some villagers engaged in driving their goats to a
+more secure spot came under the machine-gun fire, two men being killed
+and four wounded, the herd suffering severely; but these were the only
+casualties, the defenders, both white and black, keeping admirable
+cover.
+
+For a quarter of an hour the one-sided action was maintained, then
+still under the covering fire of the machine gun a battalion of Askaris
+advanced at the double in company formation _en échelon_.
+Simultaneously a half-battalion debouched on the opposite side of the
+kraal.
+
+Until the stormers came within four hundred yards their advance was
+covered by the machine guns (for another had joined in the fray), and
+consequently the scanty defenders dare not risk exposure; but the
+moment the covering fire had to cease lest it should cause casualties
+amongst the advancing troops the Rhodesians opened rapid fire at almost
+point blank range.
+
+The front attack stopped dead, the Askaris in open order falling in
+heaps before the accurate fire of the trained Rhodesians.  Despite the
+efforts of their officers to advance the native troops refused to
+stand.  Bolting they were followed by galling volleys until the
+resumption of the deadly machine-fire compelled the defenders to take
+cover.
+
+The rear attack was a more formidable affair, in spite of the fact that
+the enemy force was considerably smaller than that of the frontal
+assault.  Met by fewer rifles, for only a mere handful of white men
+could be told off on that side of the kraal, the Askaris contrived to
+reach the palisade.  It was here that the native auxiliaries proved
+their worth, for with stones, arrows and throwing spears they put up
+such a formidable defence that at close quarters these primitive
+weapons held their own against the rifles and bayonets of the German
+black troops.
+
+For several moments the contest swayed with varying success until more
+Rhodesians, who could now be spared from the front on which the main
+assault had been repulsed, doubled up and made such good use of their
+rifles that the enemy broke and fled, leaving behind forty or fifty of
+their number lying dead in front of the stockade.
+
+"Guess they've had enough," remarked Rupert Wilmshurst, who
+notwithstanding his weak state had played a strong part in the defence.
+
+"Doubt it," replied his brother.  "Perhaps they won't make another
+frontal attack while daylight lasts, but when it's dark they'll try
+their luck."
+
+The hours passed slowly.  Occasional bursts of machine-gun fire
+punctuated the continuous rifle-firing from the men concealed in the
+bush.  It was a prodigious waste of ammunition without any good result,
+for the white men were too hardened to be shaken by the moral effect of
+bullets whizzing overhead, while the native warriors, taking the
+pattern set by their allies, showed no signs of fear or panic.
+
+"If we only had a machine-gun," thought Dudley.  "By Jove, I've a mind
+to have a shot at bringing in one of those brutes after dark."
+
+He broached the matter to the patrol commander, who gave permission to
+any of his men to volunteer for the hazardous enterprise.  There was no
+lack of aspirants, for practically every man expressed his wish to take
+part in the sortie.  Finally the subaltern chose three Rhodesians and
+his Haussa sergeant.
+
+Taking a compass bearing of the position of one of the machine-guns,
+for the cloud of steam arising from its overheated water-jacket
+disclosed its place of concealment, Wilmshurst made a careful note of
+the fact for subsequent use.  There was, of course, the possibility of
+the machine-gun being moved as soon as night fell, but that was a risk
+that the sallying party must be prepared to chance.
+
+Darkness came, but the desultory hostile fire was still maintained, the
+bush being pin-pricked with the vivid flashes from the rifles.  It was
+now a nerve-racking ordeal, for more than once the defenders issued
+from their trench and manned the outer palisade under the erroneous
+impression that another attack was developing.
+
+"It's a jolly good thing for us that they haven't any bombs," remarked
+the patrol-commander.  "I don't fancy our blacks would stand up to
+them.  By Jove! the villagers have shown any amount of pluck."
+
+"They know that if the kraal's taken, their lives won't be worth a
+brass farthing," rejoined one of the men.
+
+"Don't know so much about that," added another.  "They had a chance to
+let us down and save their hides, but they weren't having any."
+
+A meteor-like trail of reddish light whizzing through the air
+interrupted the argument.  Anxiously the defenders watched the course
+of the missile, guessing but not knowing exactly what it was, until
+with a crash it alighted upon the palm thatched roof of a hut about in
+the centre of the kraal.
+
+Several men rushed to the spot, regardless of the flying bullets, with
+the intent on of tearing away the smouldering missile, but before they
+could reach the hut the dull red glow gave place to a vivid bluish
+flame.  The mobile weapon was an incendiary rocket.
+
+In a minute the hut was a mass of flames, the sparks communicating the
+fire to the flimsily-constructed buildings adjoining it.
+
+Strenuously the defenders, both white and black, sought to confine the
+devouring element to certain limits by pulling down the huts in the
+vicinity, but other incendiary rockets followed in rapid succession,
+while the fire of the machine-guns redoubled in violence.
+
+The fire-fighters made excellent targets in the fierce light, their
+forms being silhouetted against the blazing huts, yet their losses were
+comparatively few, for the machine guns were badly laid.  Nevertheless,
+before the men could take cover two Rhodesians were badly wounded, a
+dozen villagers killed and thirty odd seriously injured.
+
+In the midst of this turmoil Dudley, whose attention was centred upon
+the enemy, detected a large body of men deploying from the bush.
+Simultaneously other formidable detachments advanced upon the kraal on
+all sides, showing up distinctly in the terrific glare of the burning
+huts.  To add to the horror of the scene native women and children were
+shrieking in terror, and the horses and cattle were neighing and
+bellowing as they instinctively realised the peril that threatened them
+from the rapidly spreading flames.
+
+But for the presence of their black allies the troopers would have
+mounted and ridden straight at their assailants, running a good chance
+of cutting their way out by weight of numbers and the speed of their
+horses; but no thought of abandoning the natives to their fate entered
+the heads of their allies.  It would be a fight to a finish.
+
+Leaving the conflagration to take its course every available man
+hastened to the palisade.  Rapid independent fire delayed but failed to
+check the charge of ferocious, wildly shouting Askaris, whose courage
+had been worked up by promises of rewards if successful, and dire
+punishment in the event of failure.  Full in the blaze of light the
+horde of black faces gave the defenders the impression that they were
+confronting a swarm of demons.
+
+On both sides rifles cracked, steel crossed steel.  Again spears and
+arrows came into play, while some of the defenders hurled blazing
+faggots with great effect upon the German levies.  Yells, shouts and
+shrieks of pain mingled with the rattle of musketry and the roar of the
+burning huts.
+
+Both sides fought stubbornly and furiously, but with this difference:
+the defenders of the kraal were staking their existence upon the
+result, the attackers, although under severe penalties in the event of
+failure, were not confronted with the supreme decision that awaited
+their foes.
+
+Taking a favourable opportunity Wilmshurst and his squad climbed over
+the palisade at a point where no attack was being made, and dropping to
+the ground doubled in the direction of the now silent machine gun.  It
+was a daring stroke, as it temporarily weakened the little garrison,
+where every rifle counted; but in the event of the raid proving
+successful the possession of the deadly weapon would make all the
+difference between victory and defeat.
+
+Overtaking and avoiding numbers of wounded Askaris and a fair
+sprinkling of Germans painfully making their way back to their lines
+the raiders covered the intervening eight hundred yards in double time.
+At the edge of the scrub the subaltern halted his men in order that
+they might recover their breath.
+
+They had discarded their rifles.  Dudley and the Rhodesians were armed
+with revolvers, Bela Moshi carrying an automatic pistol, formerly the
+possession of a now defunct Hun, and a long, heavy, keen-edged knife
+resembling the Mexican machete.  Each man knew exactly what was
+required of him, and, what was more, he was capable of carrying it out.
+
+Creeping through the bush and outwitting a couple of Askari sentries
+posted on the right front of the machine gun position the raiders came
+in sight of their coveted prize.
+
+The gun team was standing easy chattering furiously, and paying scant
+attention to the progress of their comrades in the assault.  Bela Moshi
+afterwards declared that they were squabbling over the possession of a
+small keg of rum, which was to them a far more important business than
+the attack upon the kraal.  Their European non-commissioned officer was
+absent, otherwise the laxity of discipline would not have been taking
+place.
+
+Apparently there were no infantry reserves.  If there were, they were
+posted at a considerable distance from the machine gun position.  It
+was, therefore, expedient to make a surprise attack with fire-arms,
+since the noise was immaterial as far as alarming the supports, and
+very efficacious in throwing the machine gunners into a state of
+demoralization.
+
+Of the six Askaris forming the detachment five dropped at the first
+volley; the sixth, after first rolling on the ground, sprang into the
+bush, followed by a couple of shots the effect of which was not known.
+
+Smartly Bela Moshi picked up the gun and tripod; a Rhodesian corporal
+and a trooper seized the box containing the ammunition.  Then, preceded
+by a sergeant and followed by Wilmshurst and the remaining man, the
+raiders bore off their trophy.
+
+Followed by the ineffectual fire of the two sentries the squad doubled.
+By the sounds in the rear it was evident that the alarm had been
+communicated to the reserves, as the hurried patter of bare feet and
+the excited orders of the German section commanders announced that the
+men were aware of the loss of the machine gun.  Musketry fire was
+opened upon the retiring raiders, but in the darkness the shots whizzed
+harmlessly overhead.
+
+The haphazard fire was, however, taking toll amongst the attackers who,
+already casualties, were crawling or walking back from the palisade.  A
+German officer, hit in the left arm, blundered right upon the captured
+weapon and its escort.  For the moment he was puzzled, knowing that
+orders had been issued for the machine-gun party to remain in their
+original position.  Then, distinguishing the British uniform, he drew a
+pistol and shouted to the party to surrender.
+
+"Surrender yourself!" exclaimed the Rhodesian sergeant, raising his
+revolver.
+
+The Hun's reply was a shot that nicked the lobe of the non-com.'s right
+ear.  Almost immediately the latter returned the compliment, shooting
+the German dead on the spot.
+
+"Sorry," muttered the Rhodesian apologetically, for he had respect for
+a brave foe.  "You asked for it, Fritz."
+
+The next instant Beta Moshi stumbled, the subaltern only just
+contriving to avoid tripping over his prostrate body.  Thinking that
+the Haussa sergeant was hit one of the covering party began to raise
+the machine-gun from the ground, but the Haussa was holding it tightly
+in his arms.
+
+Almost overthrowing the Rhodesian Bela Moshi regained his feet, swung
+the trophy over his shoulder and resumed his pace.
+
+The returning party were only just in time.  Already a formidable
+number of Askaris had broken through the stubbornly-defended palisade,
+and by sheer weight were forcing their opponents back.
+
+Faced by hordes of German levies and with the line of burning huts
+preventing further retirement the defenders of the kraal were in a very
+tight corner indeed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+WATER!
+
+In double quick time Wilmshurst's party hurried over the stockade at
+the same place where they had clambered out a short time previously.
+
+Setting the tripod of the captured gun upon the raised bank at the rear
+of the palisade the Rhodesians fitted a belt of ammunition and promptly
+opened fire.  Enfilading the attackers the effect of the totally
+unexpected hail of bullets was stupendous.  The dense masses of Askaris
+simply melted.  Only those nearest to the garrison escaped the
+machine-gun fire, since it was impossible to traverse further to the
+right without hitting friend as well as foe.  Before the first belt of
+ammunition had been expended most of the men who had gained a footing
+in the village were _hors de combat_.
+
+The assault was by no means over.  Strong reserves were thrown into the
+breach, taking advantage of the lull in the firing.  Working coolly and
+rapidly the machine-gunners fitted a new belt, but the difficulty now
+arose that the weapon could not be trained over the palisade, which,
+owing to its irregular form, screened the massed assailants.
+
+Lifting the weapon and resting it upon the top of the stockade Bela
+Moshi shouted to the corporal to jump on his shoulders.  In this
+difficult position the machine-gun reopened fire, but before
+twenty-five rounds had been fired the weapon jammed.
+
+The gun was served by three men only--the Rhodesian sergeant and
+corporal and Bela Moshi.  The rest of the party, including Wilmshurst,
+had hurried off to reinforce the sorely-tried men engaged hand to hand
+with the Askaris in the breach.  Of the three only the corporal knew
+much about the internal mechanism of a German machine-gun, and in the
+ruddy, flickering light his task was greatly complicated.
+
+Again the weapon was hoisted on the Haussa's broad shoulders.  This
+time the mechanism acted without a hitch.  The Askaris broke and fled,
+leaving a third of their number on the ground, while those who had
+gained a footing within the kraal lost heart and threw down their arms.
+
+Nevertheless the danger was by no means over.  At two other points the
+kraal had been entered, the defenders being forced back until
+two-thirds of the village was in the hands of the foe.  The
+fiercely-burning huts now formed an effectual defence, the survivors of
+the garrison having concentrated in a space in the form of a segment of
+a circle, a portion of the palisade comprising the arc and the line of
+flaming huts the chord.  For the present the barrage of fire was
+impassable, but what would happen when the conflagration burnt itself
+out remained a matter for anxious speculation.
+
+Rhodesians and blacks worked together to dig a trench and construct a
+parapet.  It was a strenuous task, for in order to give as much space
+as possible to the already congested defenders the new defence work had
+been pushed as far forward as the strength of the flames permitted.
+The while desultory long-distance firing was indulged in by the
+discomfited foe, the bullets pinging against the hard ground or flying
+with a sharp "siss" overhead.
+
+While this work was in progress the corporal hurried up and addressed
+Wilmshurst.
+
+"Your nigger sergeant's hit, sir," he reported.
+
+The subaltern made his way to the spot where the machine-gun had been
+placed out of the line of hostile fire, since a single bullet might put
+it out of action.  Lying upon the ground with his head propped against
+the ammunition box was Bela Moshi.
+
+The Haussa was barely conscious.  He recognised his young officer and
+gave a determined but ineffective attempt to smile.  Already one of the
+men had cut away Bela Moshi's tunic, revealing a bullet wound on the
+right side of the chest.  Even as Dudley placed his water-bottle to the
+sergeant's lips the Haussa's eyes closed and he lost consciousness.
+
+"What do you make of it?" asked Dudley, addressing the man attending to
+the patient.
+
+"He's as like to snuff it, sir," he replied.  "Can't tell exactly--and
+it's a tough job to tackle with only a field-service dressing."
+
+"When was he hit?" continued the subaltern.
+
+"That's a mystery, sir," was the answer.  "We'd brought the gun under
+cover--there wasn't a chance of being hit by direct fire, you'll
+understand--and the black seemed to crumple up suddenly.  Never said a
+word, but just pitched on his face.  I'll do my level best for him,
+sir."
+
+Leaving his water-bottle--and water was a scarce commodity, as the
+supply within the kraal had been overrun by the fire--Dudley made his
+way to the gap in the palisade, where other units were hard at work
+digging a ditch across the exposed opening.  Here he came face to face
+with his brother, whose left arm was bandaged and in a sling.
+
+"Copped it, you see, Dudley," remarked Rupert.  "If there's any trouble
+knocking about I'm bound to stand in.  But I guess I did my whack
+before I was knocked out," he added grimly.  "Managed to work off sixty
+rounds, and when we started I found myself wondering if I had the
+strength to pick up a rifle."
+
+"What have you got?" asked his brother.
+
+"Bayonet thrust," was the reply.  "We were jammed up anyhow, but the
+fellow who gave it me won't try the trick on any one else.  Have you
+any water?"
+
+Dudley shook his head.
+
+"Sorry," he replied.
+
+"Seems a scarcity of it," continued Rupert.  "All the men's
+water-bottles are bone-dry, and it's hot work tackling a kraal fire.
+The niggers, too, are clamouring for water."
+
+"The fire's burning itself out, I fancy," remarked Dudley.  "Before
+dawn we ought to be able to get to the well.  Now I must do my whack."
+
+Taking a spade of native workmanship from the hands of an exhausted
+trooper the subaltern set to work with a will, for much had to be done
+in a very short space of time.  It was a case of excavating under
+extreme difficulties, for apart from the smoke and heat from the
+blazing huts bullets were dropping frequently and at random upon that
+part of the kraal still held by the hard-pressed but as yet
+unconquerable garrison.
+
+Throughout the rest of the night the enemy made no attempt to renew the
+assault.  With the dawn the worst of the task of shortening the line
+was accomplished, and the jaded men threw themselves down to rest,
+until every available position immune from rifle fire was covered with
+khaki and black figures sleeping the sleep of utter exhaustion.
+
+There was little rest for Dudley Wilmshurst and the patrol-commander.
+Having visited the sentries they examined the defences in order to
+discover if there were any weak points that had escaped notice during
+the hours of darkness.
+
+With the exception of half a dozen huts every building comprising the
+kraal was reduced to a heap of charred wood and ashes, from which smoke
+was rising sullenly in the still air.  The stockade adjoining had
+shared the same fate, and had it not been for the earthworks
+constructed during the night the rear of the defences would have been
+completely open to direct rifle fire.  At present the heat of the
+smouldering embers was too great to allow any attempt to procure water
+from the well that was situated almost in the centre of the kraal,
+close to the site of the headman's hut.
+
+The captured machine gun was still under cover, ready to be rushed to
+any point where an attack might develop, but the trouble that
+confronted the team was the fact that the water in the jacket had
+evaporated and no more was at present procurable.  The supply of rifle
+ammunition, too, was running perilously short.  In view of the
+liability of the machine gun to jam after a few rounds, Wilmshurst
+would have had no hesitation in using the cartridges from the belt had
+the gun been a Maxim.  But here he was beaten, for the difference in
+British and German small-arms ammunition makes an interchange
+impossible.
+
+The next best thing was to arrange existing stocks, so that a few
+troopers had plenty of .303 ammunition.  The others, supplying
+themselves with rifles and cartridges taken from the hundreds of German
+dead, were then in a position to give a good account of themselves
+should the enemy again attack at close quarters.
+
+Having completed his present duties Wilmshurst made his way to the hut
+where Bela Moshi had been taken after his wound had been dressed.  The
+building, consisting of bamboo walls and palm-leaf thatch, had been
+converted into a hospital and made bullet proof by piling up earth
+against the sides to a height of about six feet.  Above that the
+bamboos and the roof were riddled with bullets, making it a hazardous
+business for any one to stand upright.
+
+In the limited space were two Rhodesians suffering from gunshot wounds.
+Almost every other man of the patrol had been hit, but one and all made
+light of their injuries, and after receiving attention had resumed
+their places in the defence.  Over thirty villagers had been badly
+wounded, but these were receiving the attention of their fellows,
+since, for some unexplained reason, they were reluctant to have their
+wounds dressed by their white allies.
+
+"Going on famously, sir," announced the Rhodesian corporal, who, having
+played a gallant part in the defence, had returned to his errand of
+mercy.  "I've extracted the bullet; it had lodged only a quarter of an
+inch under the skin and close to the right of his backbone.  I don't
+fancy the lungs are touched.  He'll pull through if any of us do."
+
+"That's great!" exclaimed Wilmshurst, overjoyed that his devoted Haussa
+sergeant stood a good chance of recovery.  "You ought to have been a
+doctor, corporal."
+
+"I was very near it, sir," was the reply.  "Had two years at Bart's and
+then chucked up the idea and came to Rhodesia.  But this is somewhat
+remarkable; what do you make of it, sir?"
+
+The corporal held up for inspection the bullet that had narrowly
+escaped putting an end to Bela Moshi.
+
+"Automatic pistol bullet, by Jove!" exclaimed the subaltern, handling
+the piece of nickel.
+
+"Yes, sir," continued the corporal, "and the Haussa has been muttering
+while he was coming to.  Putting two and two together, so to speak, I
+fancy he stopped the bullet that grazed our sergeant's ear when we were
+bringing in the gun."
+
+"Ah, yes; Bela Moshi did fall, but he was quickly on his feet again,"
+remarked Wilmshurst.
+
+"With a bullet that had all but just passed completely through his
+body," added the Rhodesian.  "And after that he acted as a platform--he
+had a man standing on his shoulders for nearly a quarter of an
+hour--and only collapsed after the attack had been broken.  There's
+vitality and pluck for you, sir!"
+
+"And if we come out of this business alive I'll see that Bela Moshi's
+case is reported to the proper quarter," declared Dudley.
+
+"The only thing against him is the want of water," said the corporal.
+"I'd risk getting plugged for the sake of a couple of bottles of water.
+How about the well, sir?"
+
+"We're having a shot at it as soon as possible," replied the subaltern,
+and picking up his water-bottle, he left the hut.
+
+The urgency of the matter decided Dudley.  If humanly possible he meant
+to make the attempt forthwith.  A glance at the still smouldering
+débris told him pretty plainly that it was a dangerous if not
+impossible undertaking, but for the sake of his Haussa sergeant the
+subaltern determined to procure the precious fluid.
+
+He sought out his brother, but Rupert was sound asleep.  Rupert was the
+only person he wanted to inform of his projected expedition, but that
+course was denied him.
+
+With the bottle slung across his shoulder and a native jar--holding
+about a gallon--in each hand, Dudley leapt into the trench and scaled
+the parapet before the few men who were in the vicinity were aware of
+his intention.  Then drawing a deep breath, like a diver about to make
+a plunge, he dashed into the belt of smoke-laden air.
+
+At every pace his boots kicked up showers of white ashes.  The heat
+penetrated the thick soles, it singed his hair and scorched his face
+and hands.  He felt himself wondering why he was such a fool as to try
+conclusions with a mass of hot embers ... why wasn't he content to wait
+another two hours or so, when the heat would have greatly decreased.
+Supposing he lost his bearings in the smoke and couldn't find the well
+after all?
+
+These and a dozen other deprecatory thoughts flashed across his mind as
+he stumbled onwards.  He had had but a brief knowledge of the plan of
+the kraal previous to the fire.  He remembered that the well stood in
+the centre of a fairly open space.  There, at any rate, would he find a
+comparatively safe oasis in the desert of hot embers.
+
+"By Jove, that was a narrow one!" he soliloquised as a bullet--one of
+many shot at a venture--whizzed dangerously close to his ears and
+knocked up a number of small fougasses as it ricochetted in the embers.
+
+He wanted to breathe.  Already the air was on the point of being
+exhausted in his lungs, yet he durst not gasp for breath.  Another
+twenty yards ... or was it forty?  He was hardly sure of his
+whereabouts....  Mentally he enquired if he had been making a detour
+instead of keeping in a straight line.  Maintaining direction in a haze
+of smoke was far more difficult, he reflected, than in a fog,
+especially when there was a time limit fixed for the performance.
+
+Almost before he was aware of it Wilmshurst literally blundered upon an
+open expanse where the short grass had been burnt off close to the
+ground.  Surrounded by a barrage of bluish vapour that rose from
+irregular mounds of débris, the subaltern was able to breathe
+comparatively fresh air.
+
+Ahead was the well, its windlass of hard teak charred but otherwise
+uninjured.  It was a different case with the rope.  The fibre had
+smouldered badly; it would be unwise to attempt to raise the heavy
+bucket by it.
+
+Cutting adrift a length of the coir rope the subaltern bent it to the
+neck of one of the jars and drew up the vessel full of liquid.  The
+water was loathsome in appearance, its surface being covered with ash
+and fragments of charcoal of various sizes.  Prudence, as taught by
+long months of practical experience on the Coast, urged the young
+officer to resist the desire to slake his burning thirst.  No water
+unless boiled and filtered can be drunk by Europeans without grave
+risks of deadly disease.  But Wilmshurst now threw caution to the winds.
+
+With avidity he filled the joined palms of his hands with the brackish
+and otherwise unpalatable liquid and raised it to his lips.  He drank
+deeply, unmindful of millions of unseen germs in his almost frantic
+efforts to relieve the pangs of his parched throat.
+
+Then completing his stock of hardly-gained water Wilmshurst turned to
+retrace his way, aware that during his stay a steady breeze had
+suddenly sprung up.  Under its influence the dangers of the passage
+through the embers were greatly increased, for, fanned by the wind,
+numerous mounds of débris had flared up again, while the volume of
+smoke had spread in density, blowing straight into his face.
+
+For some moments Dudley stood irresolute; then seized by a sudden
+inspiration he ran down wind, plunging through the charred wreckage.
+He was going directly away from that part of the kraal still held by
+his comrades.  His new direction led towards a part of the hostile
+investing lines, but he preferred to run the risk of being sniped at
+six hundred yards to fighting his way through the now steadily burning
+débris.
+
+As he expected, his passage through this part of the devastated village
+was relatively easy.  Being the first of the huts to take fire this
+section had almost burnt itself out.  Occasionally he had to dodge
+round a heap of still burning timber.  The heat was almost unbearable,
+while the smoke penetrating his lungs made him gasp and cough
+violently; so much so, that twice he had to place his precious
+water-jars on the ground and clutch at his throat in his distress.
+
+At length a line of blackened, calcined posts told him that he had
+emerged from the kraal, and that he was on the line formerly occupied
+by the stockade.  For another fifty or sixty yards he held on, until
+the smoke cleared considerably; then changing direction, he began to
+circumvent the abandoned line of defence until he came to the still
+held position.
+
+It was not long before several bullets, whizzing perilously close,
+warned him that the enemy had spotted him through the eddying wreaths
+of vapour.  Others, striking the earth with a dull thud, ricochetted
+within a few inches of his feet.
+
+Bending, until his jars were almost bumping on the ground, the
+subaltern summoned his remaining energies in a final spurt and doubled
+almost recklessly towards his goal.
+
+Through the smoke he heard the sharp challenge of one of the sentries.
+He tried to reply, but no sound came from his parched throat.  The man
+raised his rifle, when his sergeant, recognising the dishevelled,
+swaying form of Second-Lieutenant Wilmshurst, ordered the man to
+recover arms.  Then a white mist swam before the subaltern's eyes, and,
+retaining sufficient presence of mind to place the hardly-won jars of
+water upon the ground, he stumbled inertly into the arms of the
+Rhodesian sergeant.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+IM THE ENEMY'S POSITION
+
+It was not long before Wilmshurst regained consciousness, to find that
+his precious stock of water was being boiled under the direction of the
+patrol-corporal.  With admirable restraint the men, knowing that the
+subaltern had risked a horrible death for the sake of his black
+sergeant, had put the whole of the liquid to boil, insisting that a
+fair distribution would be made when the water was fit for drinking.  A
+little over two gallons was not much among so many, but it would just
+assuage their thirst until the steadily-declining heat of the
+smouldering ruins permitted access to the well.
+
+Producing his pump-filter, for Bela Moshi had taken particular pains to
+leave it in a safe place before the sortie, the subaltern strained the
+liquid.  It was warm and insipid, yet it was now free from
+contamination, and Bela Moshi drank it with avidity.
+
+A suspicion of his broad smile flitted across his face as he took the
+life-giving draught.
+
+"You tink me lib for die, sah?" he enquired whimsically.
+
+"No fear!" replied Wilmshurst, knowing that to a remarkable degree a
+"nigger" can control his ability to live or die.  He had known of a
+black man who, grievously upset in a quarrel, declared that he was
+going to die, and promptly lying down and turning his face to the
+ground, the man was a corpse within half an hour.  "You get well one
+time quick, or me berry angry."
+
+The subaltern's reply reminded him of a doting parent talking to a
+small child in baby language.  Bela Moshi was a mere child in certain
+respects, and the mild threat had its effect.  "Den me tink me lib,
+sah," he said.
+
+With this assurance Wilmshurst left to snatch a few hours' much-needed
+rest.  The bulk of the white men comprising the garrison were behind
+the earthworks.  Occasional sharp bursts of rifle firing came from the
+bush, but no reply was made by the defenders of the kraal.  Ammunition
+was too scarce and precious to be thrown away at haphazard firing upon
+an unseen foe.  The Germans' remaining machine gun was unaccountably
+silent.  Perhaps it had failed, after the manner of automatic weapons.
+On the other hand, although the captured machine-gun was liable to jam
+after a few rounds, owing to its having become overheated, the Huns
+were ignorant of the fact, and thus the practically useless weapon was
+a strong moral factor in favour of its captors.
+
+Dudley slept for a solid four hours, to awake considerably refreshed to
+find that some one had spread a double ground-sheet above him, so as to
+form a tent, for the sun was now directly overhead.
+
+"Hullo, Rupert!" he exclaimed, upon seeing his brother.  "How goes it?"
+
+"Feeling quite my old self," was the reply.  "A fellow can buck up even
+in present circumstances after being penned up by a mob of rascally
+Huns."
+
+"What happened to you?" asked Dudley.
+
+Rupert shrugged his bent shoulders.
+
+"Don't ask me," he replied.  "Some day I'll tell you--if we get out of
+this scrap."
+
+"Did you hear what became of Robert MacGregor?" persisted Dudley.
+
+"A thundering good old pal!" declared his brother heartily.  "If he'd
+not been obliged to go back to Rhodesia I don't think I would have been
+landed in a German prison.  I'd give a lot to shake old Bob by the hand
+again."
+
+The subaltern regarded his brother intently.  Rupert, he saw, was
+speaking quite naturally and without any trace of sarcasm.  It was
+clear that he had not the slightest idea of the double, nay multi-dyed
+treachery of Ulrich von Gobendorff.
+
+"Dash it all!" he soliloquised.  "I can't enlighten old Rupert just
+now.  Revelations must come later--if, as he remarked, we do come out
+of this business alive."
+
+About four o'clock in the afternoon the irritating rifle fire ceased.
+Fifteen minutes passed without a shot winging its way from the dense
+scrub; and although one or two of the defenders boldly stood upon the
+parapet to draw the enemy, their tempting position brought no response.
+
+"Guess we'll hike out and bring in some water," declared one.  "No time
+like the present, and we are as dry as a bone."
+
+"Very good," agreed the patrol-commander.  "Only look sharp about it.
+This lull in the firing may mean that the Boches are up to some of
+their knavish tricks."
+
+Accordingly five men, each carrying four jars, set off to the well.
+The dangers that Wilmshurst had encountered were now over, and in a
+short space of time the five returned.  Although they had been in full
+view of the enemy positions throughout, their progress had not been
+molested by so much as a single shot.
+
+"The blighters are saving it up for us for to-night," declared a
+trooper.  "Wonder if a couple of us could steal through their lines and
+make our way to the main column?  A few squadrons would make Fritz sit
+up."
+
+"No use unless we were mounted," objected another; "and a fellow
+couldn't hope to dash through their lines at full gallop.  He'd be
+chock full of bullets before he got within fifty yards of them."
+
+"I'd risk it, anyway," asserted the first speaker.  "Either mounted or
+dismounted I reckon I'd do it as soon as it gets dark.  But I'm hanged
+if I can understand why Fritz is so horribly quiet and well-behaved."
+
+"That's what we'd all like to know," added the sergeant.  "I'm that
+curious that I fancy taking a stroll that way myself."
+
+Shortly afterwards a party of villagers were collected and set to work
+to bury the bodies of those who had fallen in the futile assault.  The
+natives, contrary to expectation, performed their tasks without let or
+hindrance from the enemy, although the men engaged in the work offered
+a tempting target.
+
+With the fall of darkness the mental attention of the garrison became
+acute.  At every slight or unaccountable sound the men strained eyes
+and ears and grasped their rifles to meet an imaginary rush.  Just
+before midnight a shot rang out, the flash of the rifle being clearly
+discernible at a point immediately fronting the scene of the most
+formidable attack on the previous night.
+
+"They're coming, boys!" exclaimed the patrol-commander.  "Ten rounds
+rapid when I give the word, then independent firing.  Don't waste a
+single shot."
+
+Only the click of the rifle-bolts and the quick breathing of the men
+broke the stillness.  Even the natives, awed by the impending assault,
+were silent as they handled their bows and long-hafted spears.
+
+"Hear anything?" whispered the patrol-commander, edging close to
+Wilmshurst.
+
+"Nothing," replied the subaltern.
+
+"They're coming, sir," exclaimed a deep voice.
+
+The subaltern raised his binoculars and swept the intervening space.
+The powerful night-glasses revealed no sign of the approaching enemy.
+
+Again a flash, followed by the sharp report of a rifle, the bullet
+knocking splinters from one of the cross-pieces of the stockade--and
+then utter silence.
+
+"Dashed if I can stick this!" declared Wilmshurst.  "I'll go out and
+see what's doing.  With luck I'll be back in an hour."
+
+"Very good," agreed the Rhodesian patrol-commander.  "Give the word
+'Buluwayo' for the countersign.  Good luck!"
+
+Without loss of time the subaltern started on his mission of
+investigation.  Once clear of the kraal he realised a sense of
+loneliness.  He would have given almost all he possessed for the
+companionship of his trusty Bela Moshi.  Then, shaking off the
+instinctive depression, he devoted his thoughts to the work on hand.
+
+He was taking a different route from the one he had followed on the
+occasion of the capture of the machine-gun.  It was unfamiliar ground,
+flat and totally devoid of cover.  Ahead lay a line of dark shadows
+that marked the commencement of the encircling bush.  It was only
+slightly over a quarter of a mile away, but the distance seemed
+interminable as he slowly and cautiously held on.
+
+Once he stood stock still, his heart beating violently.  Ten yards
+ahead a man lay prone on the short grass.  The faint starlight glinted
+on the barrel of a rifle, which was pointed straight at the lone
+subaltern.
+
+Momentarily Wilmshurst expected to see the blinding flash of the rifle.
+The fellow was a long time lingering over the sights, he thought.  The
+young officer moved a couple of paces to the right.  The sinister
+muzzle seemed to be following him, tantalisingly menacing.
+
+Acting upon a sudden impulse Wilmshurst flung himself flat on the
+ground.  After a pause he raised his head and looked towards the
+sniper, for such he took him to be.  The man had not stirred.  His
+rifle was cocking upwards at an acute angle to the ground, "I believe a
+dead Hun has given me cold feet," muttered the subaltern, and creeping
+stealthily he made a wide detour round the rigidly immovable figure.
+Then, satisfied up to a certain point, he crawled towards the
+motionless object.
+
+It was an Askari.  The man was one of the first to be shot during the
+onslaught.  He had fallen face downwards, but still grasped his rifle
+in such a position that there was good reason for mistaking him for a
+sniper.
+
+From this point Wilmshurst resumed his outward journey, proceeding on
+hands and knees and halting at frequent intervals to place his ear to
+the ground.  He could detect no audible evidences of the foe.  Never
+before, in the course of two separate campaigns against native troops
+officered by Germans, had he known such absolute silence amongst the
+black rank and file.
+
+On and on he crawled, grimly soliloquising that much more of this mode
+of progression would make him imagine that he was a new type of
+serpent, for as he approached the outer fringe of scrub he literally
+moved on his stomach.
+
+Proceeding thus he passed between two large thorn bushes.  Beyond was a
+slight artificial depression in the ground, on the bottom of which were
+hundreds of metal cartridge cases.
+
+By the peculiar pungent odour he knew that they had been fired within
+the last twelve hours.  Some were trodden into the loose earth, which
+bore numerous indications of having been trampled both with boots and
+bare feet.
+
+"By Jove!" he thought.  "Fritz has cleared out."
+
+Even as the idea flashed across his mind a rifle-shot rang out on his
+left.
+
+Promptly Wilmshurst flattened himself to the ground, and waited
+breathlessly for further developments.  The weird silence was
+maintained save for the distant croaking of bullfrogs in a marsh.
+
+"Booby trap!" he declared, and cautiously groped around to find out if
+he had incautiously touched a fine wire.  At a radius of his extended
+arm he found nothing of that nature.  Perhaps, after all, a sniper was
+concealed in the bushes on his left, for the bullet had not been
+directed at him.
+
+Bent upon investigating the mystery Wilmshurst crept round the
+intervening bushes.  Before he had traversed thirty yards his head came
+in contact with the stock of a rifle.  The weapon was lashed to a
+couple of stout bamboos.  Fastened to the trigger was a short piece of
+wire, to which in turn was tied a length of raw hide.  The subaltern
+gave a chuckle of satisfaction.  His discovery confirmed his surmise
+that the investing force had raised the siege, leaving rifles so
+arranged that they would fire automatically after various intervals in
+order to convey the erroneous impression that the bush was still held
+in force.
+
+The raw hide cords had been placed in position during the heat of the
+day.  After dark the heavy dew moistened the hide and caused it to
+contract until the tension upon the trigger was sufficient to release
+the bolt action and detonate the cartridges.
+
+A similar ruse, embodying more ingenuity, had been practised by the
+British troops during the successful evacuation of the Gallipoli
+peninsula; but in this case the fixed rifles were fired by means of a
+small trickle of water dropping from an upper receptacle into a lower
+one.  To the latter was tied a cord, the other end of which was
+fastened to the trigger.  As soon as half a gallon of liquid entered
+the lower tin can, resulting in a pressure of about seven pounds on the
+trigger, the rifle was fired.
+
+"And there are plenty of discarded tins lying about," thought
+Wilmshurst.  "It seems strange that methodical Fritz should waste a
+good raw-hide thong when simpler and more efficacious means are
+available, unless--ah!  I wonder if it was a lack of water that made
+them clear out?"
+
+Wilmshurst was nothing if not thorough.  Before returning with the
+joyful news to the kraal he meant to satisfy himself that the Huns had
+abandoned all their positions.  It would be a bad business if, on the
+strength of the young officer's report, the patrol left the village and
+attempted to rejoin the main body only to find themselves suddenly
+attacked in the open by vastly numerically superior forces.
+
+Checking his direction from time to time by means of his luminous
+compass Dudley penetrated nearly a mile into the bush.  Everywhere
+there were evidences that the enemy had retired in the direction of the
+Karewenda Hills, while the not distant sounds of wild animals showed
+that the bush was clear of anything of the nature of numerous parties
+of human beings.
+
+Satisfied on this point the subaltern was about to retrace his way when
+he heard a stealthy footfall on the dew-soddened ground within a few
+paces of the spot where he stood.
+
+Softly and deliberately Wilmshurst dropped to the earth, screened by
+the broad leaves of a cactus.  He could hardly believe the evidence of
+his senses when, almost within arm's length, appeared the foremost of a
+single file of Haussas--men not only of his own battalion but of his
+platoon.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+CORNERED AT LAST
+
+Checking the natural exuberance of his wildly delighted men Wilmshurst
+obtained the information that the battalion, acting in conjunction with
+a Punjabi infantry regiment and a couple of squadrons of Light Horse,
+was about to deliver a surprise attack upon the enemy.  Once again the
+wily Hun had disappointed the British forces.  By means of native
+scouts the Germans had learnt of the approach of the relieving forces,
+and without waiting to exchange shots the former had effected a prompt
+and skilfully-conducted retirement.
+
+Accompanied by one of the Haussas Wilmshurst hastened to inform his
+commanding officer of the state of affairs.  On the way he found big
+Spofforth with the advance-guard.  The latter greeted his missing chum
+cordially.
+
+"You're a lucky blighter!" he exclaimed, as he critically surveyed
+Dudley's ragged and dishevelled appearance.  "You always manage to see
+some fun.  Here are we, after two days' hard marching, sold completely,
+and not a chance to fire a shot.  Well, what have you been doing?"
+
+"I'll tell you later," replied Wilmshurst.  "I must report to the C.O.
+Briefly, we've missed von Gobendorff, but we've had one of the toughest
+little scraps I've ever experienced."
+
+Colonel Quarrier was both delighted and disappointed with his junior
+officer's report.  His satisfaction at the news of the successful
+defence of the kraal was unbounded; but his brow darkened when he
+learnt of the escape of Ulrich von Gobendorff.
+
+"We heard from native sources that you were in a tight corner, Mr.
+Wilmshurst," he remarked in conclusion.  "How the news got through in
+so short a time is one of those unsolved mysteries appertaining to the
+inhabitants of Central Africa.  We pushed ahead with a column hoping to
+catch Fritz sitting; but we were done.  Well, ought you to rejoin your
+temporary unit?  If you prefer you can remain till dawn, for I do not
+intend to move further till then.  We don't want any exchange of shots
+by mistake."
+
+"I'll return, sir," replied the subaltern.  "The men will be bucked to
+hear the good news.  I shouldn't wonder if they aren't getting a bit
+anxious, for I was due back an hour ago."
+
+Without mishap the subaltern traversed the intervening stretch of
+scrub, crossed the open space and gained the kraal, where, as he had
+expected, the good news was hailed with enthusiasm.  For the first time
+since the investment of the village the defenders were able to snatch a
+few hours' undisturbed sleep unaccompanied by the intermittent reports
+of rifles and the constant expectation of being called to arms.
+
+Dawn was breaking when a squadron of Rhodesian Light Horse cantered up
+to the bullet-torn stockade, their arrival being hailed with three
+cheers by the undaunted patrol and a deafening clamour from the
+natives, who had played no inconspicuous part in the defence of the
+kraal.  Twenty minutes later the Waffs marched in, followed by an
+Indian battalion, which bivouacked in the open.
+
+"Here we remain--so the C.O. says," declared Danvers, as the four
+platoon-commanders of "A" Company gathered together in a native hut
+temporarily converted into the mess.  "It's a step nearer the Karewenda
+Hills, and there, according to accounts, Fritz will make a last stand."
+
+"Unless he prefers Cape Town," added Spofforth, and the five officers
+laughed at the jest.  "As things are going it reminds me of that kid's
+game 'Ring-a-ring-o'-Roses'--simply barging round and round and getting
+no forrarder."
+
+"Dashed smart chap that servant of yours, Wilmshurst," remarked
+Laxdale, after the subaltern had related the story of Bela Moshi's
+devotion.  "And how is he progressing?"
+
+"Splendidly, according to Dr. Barkley's latest report," replied Dudley.
+"If any fellow deserves the D.C.M. it's he."
+
+"And a little bird whispered to me," continued Laxdale, "that a certain
+member of the antient and accepted order of the Lone Star Crush did a
+jolly risky thing--fetching water under enemy fire."
+
+Wilmshurst coloured hotly.
+
+"Rot!" he ejaculated.  "Fritz couldn't see me.  They were putting up a
+lot of small arms ammunition, of course.  No, that's nothing; almost
+forgot about it, in fact."
+
+But if Wilmshurst had dismissed the incident from his mind the water
+had not forgotten him.  The poisonous germs in the non-filtered liquid
+were doing their lethal work, and that evening the subaltern was down
+with a severe bout of malaria.
+
+In a covered dhoolie Wilmshurst was sent down to a hospital base-camp.
+With him went Rupert, who, on the setting in of the reaction following
+his release, was on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
+
+Within a couple of months Dudley was back with his battalion.  Many
+times he bitterly reproached himself for being out of action for that
+period simply because he did not exercise sufficient restraint when he
+drank the tainted water.  He realised that he alone was to blame, while
+most of the trouble fell upon the shoulders of his brother
+platoon-commanders, who already had their full share of work and
+responsibility.
+
+He found the battalion at a place twenty miles further away from the
+Karewenda Hills than the kraal where he had played so conspicuous a
+part in its defence.
+
+"You needn't have been so rattled about it, old boy," declared
+Spofforth.  "You've missed none of the fun, for the simple reason that
+there hasn't been any.  A fortnight ago we were within sight of Twashi.
+There was a Belgian column operating on the north-west side.  It looked
+as if we were going to do something great, when we had to retire
+through lack of provisions.  It appears that a few Huns got away and
+started playing the deuce with our lines of communication; put the
+kybosh on a couple of convoys and generally made things unpleasant."
+
+"Rather," agreed Laxdale.  "I've been hungry many a time, but now I
+know what it means to have to tighten one's belt.  I'll qualify for the
+Army Light-weight Championship yet."
+
+"A week ago I seriously thought of going on exhibition as a living
+skeleton," remarked Danvers.  "You've been jolly lucky, Wilmshurst;
+you're as fat as a prize turkey-cock.  They've been stuffing you down
+at the base."
+
+"At any rate I'll soon work it down to normal," rejoined Wilmshurst.
+"Any company news?"
+
+"Nothing much," replied Spofforth.  "Two casualties in your platoon.
+Bela Moshi is still away (hard lines, thought Wilmshurst), but the
+recommendation for the D.C.M. has gone through.  The black sinner will
+be as proud as a dog with two tails when he gets the medal."
+
+Within a week of Dudley's rejoining, the column was again in position
+to resume offensive operations.  Well guarded convoys had arrived,
+including a much-needed ammunition column, while with the advent of the
+rainy season the difficulty of feeding the horses and mules was
+considerably reduced.
+
+The troops advanced on a broad front, the Waffs in the centre, a
+Punjabi battalion on the right and a Pathan regiment on the left.
+Light Horse and Indian Lancers operated on both flanks, while a battery
+of mountain guns acted in support of the infantry.
+
+For the last three weeks a strong Belgian column had been sitting on
+the banks of the Tuti, a river flowing in a south-westerly direction
+behind the Karewenda Hills and joining the Kiwa fifty miles S.S.W. of
+M'ganga.  By holding the fords the Belgians effectually cut off the
+retreat of the Huns from Twashi, and the latter being fully aware of
+that unpleasant fact were confronted with one of two alternatives--to
+fight it out or surrender.
+
+Four days' steady marching brought the British column within striking
+distance of the outermost lines of defence.  The difficult nature of
+the ground made it impossible to run the position.  A frontal attack
+had to be delivered in order to pierce the line, but before this could
+be done the intervening ground had to be carefully reconnoitred, as
+many of the defences had been thrown up during the last few days, Fritz
+working with feverish energy when he found himself cornered.
+
+During the course of the day four Germans approached the outlying
+piquets and made signs that they wished to surrender.  Blindfolded they
+were escorted to headquarters and subjected to a rigorous examination.
+They admitted frankly that supplies both of food and ammunition were
+running short and that the Askaris were restless and showing signs of
+mutiny.  The prisoners also gave details of the position of some of the
+German advance works, stating that they were but lightly held.  Each
+man being showed a military map he indicated the position of the
+defence in question; and, what was more, the descriptions coincided
+with each other.
+
+"It would be well, however, not to take too much for granted, sir,"
+remarked the adjutant to Colonel Quarrier after the Germans had been
+removed.  "This surrender business may be a put-up job to throw dust in
+our eyes.  Their yarn has a sort of carefully-practised savour about
+it."
+
+"Perhaps you are right," agreed the C.O. of the Waffs.  "It would be as
+well to be content with a feint upon this section of the defences in
+case there is a labyrinth of mines.  What sort of ground is this?"
+
+He pointed with a pencil to the map spread out in front of him.  The
+adjutant looked, frowned and tugged at his moustache.
+
+"I really cannot say, sir," he replied at length.  "If the map is
+correct----"
+
+"I refer to the actual terrain," interrupted Colonel Quarrier.  "Look
+here, Manners; if it is fairly undulating, and not too steep on the
+north-eastern side, it ought to be admirably suited for a
+_coup-de-main_.  Frontal, of course, but that is inevitable."
+
+"Just so, sir," murmured the adjutant.  Colonel Quarrier deliberately
+folded up the map.  "Very well," he said in conclusion.  "Send a
+reliable officer out.  I want an accurate report.  Whom can you
+suggest?"
+
+Captain Manners pondered.
+
+"There's Mr. Spofforth, sir----"
+
+"Too jolly lanky for the job," objected the colonel.
+
+"Mr. Danvers----"
+
+"Took lowest marks at map-reading," continued the critical C.O.  "A
+smart officer in every other respect."
+
+"Mr. Laxdale----"
+
+"Lacks caution," declared Colonel Quarrier.  "No pun intended.  A good
+man in a rush at the head of his platoon, but for individual
+work--Who's next?"
+
+"Mr. Wilmshurst, sir."
+
+"Only just out of hospital," was the C.O.'s dictum.
+
+"But fit and as keen as mustard, sir," persisted the adjutant for two
+reasons.  He was getting a bit bored at having his recommendations
+summarily "choked off"; he also knew that Dudley Wilmshurst was, apart
+from being a soldier, a scout by instinct, and that he had plenty of
+experience of the conditions of life in the bush.
+
+"Very well, then," declared the C.O.  "Broach the subject to him
+privately, Manners.  If he jumps at it, send him to me."
+
+Ten minutes later Second-Lieutenant Dudley Wilmshurst "jumped."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+QUITS
+
+The subaltern decided to go out alone.  One man stood a far better
+chance of escaping detection than two; so greatly to the dismay of
+every Haussa in his platoon he faced the difficult task single handed.
+
+Mounted on a nimble pony and carrying rifle and ammunition, revolver,
+binoculars, map and compass Wilmshurst was bent upon conserving his
+energies during the ride across the previously reconnoitred ground.  On
+new terrain he would tether his steed and proceed on foot.
+
+The air was still and sultry.  Away to the north great black clouds
+piled themselves up in sombre masses, indigo-coloured with edges of
+watery green and flaming copper.  Against the dark background the
+distant horizon stood out clear and distinct, owing to the exaggerated
+refractory conditions of the atmosphere.
+
+"A regular deluge before long," decided Dudley.
+
+He viewed the approaching storm with equanimity.  The clearness of the
+atmosphere rendered his task lighter, while the change of weather would
+tend to keep the Askaris within their lines.  Even German military
+despotism could not conquer the native levies' dread of a thunderstorm.
+Finally the darkness and rain on the bursting of the storm would enable
+him to get back without so much chance of being spotted, for on
+reconnoitring it is on the return journey that casualties to the scouts
+happen most frequently.
+
+The subaltern's sole protection from the rain was a waterproof ground
+sheet.  Originally fawn-coloured it had been liberally camouflaged with
+bizarre circles, squares and triangles painted in a medley of
+colouring.  At five hundred yards the wearer was practically invisible,
+the "colour-scheme" blending with the surrounding ground in a most
+effective manner.  For the present the ground sheet, wrapped into a
+small compass, was strapped in front of the pommel of the saddle.
+
+Making his way past the outlying piquets Wilmshurst rode steadily.  The
+ground was undulating, the general tendency being a gentle rise.
+During the last few days the hitherto dry and parched land had been
+covered with rapidly growing vegetation, vivid green grasses shooting
+up to an average height of eighteen inches and transforming the open
+ground into a state strongly resembling the prairies of the New World.
+
+Crowds of _aasvogels_, gathered around the carcass of a mule, rose on
+the subaltern's approach, uttering discordant cries as they flew away
+from their interrupted meal.  It was unfortunate but unavoidable, and
+had Wilmshurst been within a couple of miles of a hostile post the
+aerial commotion would have "given him away."
+
+Checking his map with various prominent landmarks the subaltern arrived
+at the limit of his ride, a clump of sub-tropical trees that crowned a
+horseshoe-shaped hill.
+
+"That's all right so far," thought Dudley, comparing the contour of the
+hill with the plan.  "Now comes the unknown."
+
+His military map showed an absolute desert as far as detail was
+concerned.  Topographical knowledge was practically at zero judging by
+the almost blank portion of paper representing the ground between the
+subaltern and the twin spurs of the Karewenda Hills against which
+Colonel Quarrier proposed making their actual frontal attack.  It was
+Wilmshurst's task to cross this unknown ground, finding out the best
+route for troops to advance in column of route without being detected,
+and a suitable place for extending in open order prior to the final
+phases of the assault.
+
+Tethering his pony by means of a long hide-rope--for out of
+consideration for the animal he forbore to hobble it, since there was a
+possibility that he might not be able to return to it, Wilmshurst
+fastened the rolled ground-sheet over his shoulder after the manner of
+a bandolier, and holding his rifle ready for instant action began his
+seven-mile trek.  In order to baffle the enemy scouts should they be
+out, Dudley wore a pair of flat-soled boots to the feet of which were
+fixed a dummy pair of soles and heels in the reverse way.  Any one
+picking up the spoor would be under the erroneous belief that the
+wearer was walking in the opposite direction to the actual one.
+
+"Judging by my footsteps I must be a pigeon-toed blighter,"
+soliloquised Wilmshurst, as he noted the turned-in prints in the soft
+ground.  "I must look out to that, or I'll give the show away."
+
+On and on he went, making his way from one point of cover to another,
+yet without seeing or hearing the faintest sign of the German patrols.
+It was not a reassuring business, for scouts might be in the vicinity,
+and a scout unseen is a far greater menace than one who incautiously
+betrays his presence.
+
+Following the course of a donga he found that the narrow valley formed
+an admirable means for a column to advance if protected by flankers,
+but after tracing it for the best part of two miles Wilmshurst
+discovered that it terminated abruptly, merging into a vast open plain.
+
+Cautiously the subaltern crept up the sloping face of the donga until
+his head was just above the edge of the level ground.  By the aid of
+the glasses he made a prolonged and cautious survey.  Eight hundred
+yards on his right front were swarms of vultures busily engaged in
+their revolting pastime; at a similar distance on the left were four
+_springbok_ grazing unconcernedly.  Both signs tended to prove that
+there were no human beings about, for in the case of the _springbok_
+their keen scent enabled them to detect the presence of the hunter to
+such an extent that it was a difficult matter to get within easy range
+of them.
+
+Having taken a series of compass bearings and entered a few details on
+his map Wilmshurst started off for a kopje midway between the
+_aasvogels_ and the _springbok_.  Although he took the greatest pains
+to keep out of sight the nimble quadrupeds suddenly bolted, flying like
+the wind.  A few seconds later the vultures rose from their interrupted
+repast, flying almost immediately over the prone form of the subaltern.
+
+"Fishy--very," mused Wilmshurst.  "What made the _aasvogels_ fly this
+way?  I'll sit tight and await developments."
+
+For the best part of half an hour he remained perfectly quiet, not even
+risking to use his binoculars, lest the reflected light might attract
+the attention of a hostile scout.  By this time the storm was drawing
+nearer--slowly but surely.  As yet no rain had fallen.  There were the
+indigo-coloured clouds ahead; behind the sky was one unbroken expanse
+of dirty yellow haze.  It reminded Wilmshurst of the efforts of an
+amateur painter trying to "lay on" a coat of yellow paint with a
+tar-stained brush.  Far away to the north came the reverberations of a
+peal of thunder.  It was Nature's signal to the wary to take cover.
+
+Finding at the end of thirty minutes that nothing happened to indicate
+the presence of an enemy, for the _aasvogels_ had returned to their
+carrion feast, Wilmshurst essayed the remaining portion of his
+interrupted advance.  The kopje, he decided, was to be the extreme
+limit of his reconnoitring expedition.  From it he ought to be able to
+form a tolerably accurate idea of the nature of the terrain up to the
+base of the natural bastions of the Karewenda Hills.
+
+Wilmshurst had taken only half a dozen steps when a rifle shot rang
+out.  Practically simultaneously with the shrill whistle of the bullet
+something seemed to hit the subaltern on the left shoulder like a blow
+from a hammer.
+
+"That's done it," was his mental exclamation.  "Stopped one this time,
+by Jove!"
+
+And spinning round twice he dropped to the ground.
+
+Feeling horribly sick and faint Dudley sat up.  He found that he was
+lying in a slight hollow, the surrounding ground being sufficiently
+high to afford good cover, while ahead and on the right were bushes of
+long-spiked thorn.
+
+Satisfied on the point of concealment Dudley next devoted his attention
+to his wound.  Ripping open the sleeve of his coat he discovered that a
+bullet had passed completely through his left arm just below the
+shoulder.  There was very little loss of blood, showing that the
+missile had missed the principal veins and arteries, but whether it had
+smashed a bone was still a matter of uncertainty.
+
+Applying a first-aid dressing to the best of his ability, Wilmshurst
+prepared to "grin and bear it."  He realised that developments would be
+mostly a contest of patience.  The sniper was anxious to know the
+actual result of his shot, but too cautious to close until he felt
+certain that he had killed his victim.  Wilmshurst, anxious to "get his
+own back," also knew that premature action would spell disaster.  All
+he could do was to sit tight and hope that his enemy would leave his
+lair.
+
+Slowly the minutes passed.  The numbing sensation of the wound was
+giving place to hot, stabbing pain, while in spite of the sultriness of
+the air a cold sweat oozed from the young officer's forehead.
+
+"Dash it all!" he soliloquised.  "Hope I'm not going to faint or do
+something silly."
+
+He bent forward until his head rested on his knees.  In a few minutes
+the feeling of vertigo passed.  A draught from his water-bottle had the
+effect of temporarily quenching the burning pain that gripped his
+throat.
+
+"That's better," he declared, and straightway set to work to carefully
+blacken the foresight of his rifle, adjust the wind-gauge (for the
+first of a steady cross-wind had sprung up) and set the sights to six
+hundreds yards.
+
+"Not so bad with the use of one arm only," he muttered complaisantly.
+"Hullo, here's the rain!"
+
+With the typical fierceness of a tropical storm the rain beat down.
+Hailstones as big as a walnut thudded the ground, rebounding a foot or
+so in the air until all around was blotted out by the terrific
+downpour.  Underneath the waterproof sheet Dudley lay, knowing that
+there was no chance of the sniper venturing from his lair while this
+battery of nature's weapons was in action.  It was almost pitch-black,
+save for the phosphorescent-like light emanating from the falling rain.
+Occasional vivid flashes of lightning o'erspread the sky, followed by
+rumbling peals of thunder.
+
+Taking particular pains to keep his rifle dry Wilmshurst lay close
+until the initial downpour had passed.  Then, acting as promptly as his
+crippled condition would allow, he laid the muzzle of the weapon on a
+fork of one of the bushes.  As he expected he found that he could take
+aim without much risk of being spotted, since the bush formed an
+efficient screen.
+
+Still no sign of the sniper.  Wilmshurst had no definite idea of the
+fellow's position.  He could only surmise, basing his assumption on the
+report of the rifle, that he was either on the kopje ahead or else
+concealed behind one of the boulders on its side.
+
+"Fritz knows how to play a waiting game too, I see," muttered
+Wilmshurst, as he deliberately wiped off a globule of water that had
+dropped upon the backsight of his rifle.  "Hope he won't keep me
+waiting about till after midnight.  I must stick it till he shows up."
+
+The wounded subaltern bore no animosity towards the man who had shot
+him.  In a true soldierly spirit he realised that the Hun had acted
+like a sportsman.  It was merely a question of which scout was the
+sharper and Wilmshurst had been caught napping.  Really he wanted to
+congratulate Fritz upon his excellent shot, but before qualifying his
+wishes on that score he must get his own back--shot for shot.
+
+A thin haze of bluish smoke rose from a depression in the ground, and,
+caught by the wind, eddied into obscurity.
+
+"Silly juggins!" exclaimed Wilmshurst.  "Bad habit smoking when you're
+supposed to be _en perdu_.  Now I know where to look for you."
+
+The Hun was evidently arriving at a conclusion that he had "downed his
+man," but with the intention of waiting a little longer he was not able
+to resist the inclination of smoking a pipe.
+
+Bringing the butt of his rifle to his shoulder Wilmshurst lingered over
+the sights--not with the idea of firing at a wreath of smoke, but to
+test his ability to "pull off" gently.  To his surprise he found that
+the throbbing pain in his left shoulder had little or no effect upon
+his steadiness of aim.  Provided Fritz showed himself the subaltern
+felt almost certain of scoring an "inner" if not a "bull."
+
+In a quarter of an hour the puffs of smoke ceased.  Wilmshurst had a
+mental vision of the Hun knocking out the ashes on the heel of his boot
+and placing the pipe away in his pocket.
+
+"Now he'll be moving," thought Dudley.
+
+His surmise proved correct, for first the upper part of the head and
+then the face and shoulders of a man appeared above a ridge of ground.
+
+Wilmshurst stirred neither hand nor foot, lest in spite of the screen
+afforded by the bush his movements might be noticed by the alert scout.
+
+Followed a few long-drawn moments of suspense as the scout made a
+careful survey by means of his field-glasses.  Apparently satisfied he
+replaced the binoculars and carrying his rifle at the trail prepared to
+descend the knoll.
+
+Deliberately and cautiously Wilmshurst glanced along the sights of his
+rifle.  He would wait, he decided, until Fritz was some distance from
+his lair.  It would give him a chance to get in a couple of shots if
+the first perchance should miss.
+
+With his body from the waist upwards showing clearly against the
+copper-hued clouds the Hun offered a splendid target.
+
+Gently the subaltern's finger crept to the trigger.  In his interest in
+his foe he forgot the stinging, throbbing pain.  The rifle, supported
+by the fork of the tree, was as steady as a rock.
+
+Just as Wilmshurst was about to press the trigger a lurid blinding
+flash seemed to leap from the ground immediately on his front.  With
+the echoes of an appalling crash that shook the solid earth ringing in
+his ears Dudley found himself gazing blankly ahead but seeing nothing.
+Dazzled by the sudden intensity of light, deafened by the concussion,
+he was conscious of a vile, sulphurous odour assailing his nostrils.
+
+Gradually the mist decreased until he was able to see with comparative
+ease.  His first thought was for his rifle; he was agreeably surprised
+to find that it was intact, for it seemed marvellous that the lightning
+had missed the steel barrel.
+
+Then he looked in the direction of his enemy.  The Hun was lying prone,
+his head pillowed on his arm.  The other, curiously enough, was
+projecting obliquely in the air.  All around the grass was burning,
+while already the luckless man's uniform was smouldering.
+
+Abandoning all thought of concealment in his desire to aid his foe
+Wilmshurst sprang to his feet, and supporting his useless left arm by
+his right doubled towards the spot where the man had dropped.
+
+As he drew near he saw that the German's rifle had been hurled quite
+ten yards.  The barrel was partly wrenched from the stock, and for a
+distance of about a foot from the muzzle the steel had been split,
+revealing the glittering rifling.
+
+Taking in these details at a glance Dudley gained the side of the
+prostrate man.  One look was sufficient to show that the Hun had been
+killed outright.
+
+"Hard lines, Fritz," exclaimed Wilmshurst aloud.  "I'm glad I didn't
+have to pot you."
+
+Something prompted him to grasp the dead man by his shoulder and turn
+him over on his back.  As he did so, Dudley gave vent to an involuntary
+ejaculation of surprise.
+
+"Good heavens!" he exclaimed.  "It's von Gobendorff."
+
+      *      *      *      *      *
+
+It was close on sunset when Wilmshurst, racked with pain, returned to
+the bivouac.  Willing hands assisted him from the saddle, yet, firmly
+declining to submit to the attentions of the medical officer until he
+completed his task, the wounded subaltern made a lucid report and
+submitted his maps for inspection.
+
+Next morning he was sent down to the base hospital, protesting the
+while that the wound was not serious enough to keep him away from his
+platoon just as the fun was commencing.
+
+      *      *      *      *      *
+
+A fortnight later, while Wilmshurst was convalescing at Kilwa, he was
+surprised by a deputation of officers of his regiment--Spofforth,
+Danvers, Laxdale, and three or four more.
+
+"How goes it, old man?" exclaimed Spofforth, the leader of the
+deputation.  "You've something to show for your little dust-up."
+
+"I have," admitted Dudley.  "A clean puncture through the arm.  But
+what are you fellows doing here?  You don't mean to say that the
+business is over?"
+
+"By something I mean the M.C.," continued Jock Spofforth, ignoring
+Wilmshurst's questions.  "It's in to-day's orders, so we're here to
+offer congrats.  The battalion's doing well--a D.S.O., two M.C.'s and
+five D.C.M.'s; not a bad record, eh, what?"
+
+"Yes, the show's over as far as we are concerned," added Laxdale.  "We
+marched in yesterday.  It was a jolly satisfactory piece of work that
+final attack on Fritz's position."
+
+"Sorry I hadn't a hand in it," remarked Wilmshurst.
+
+"You did, old man," protested Spofforth.  "Those maps of yours--they
+were simply it.  We just romped home, as it were.  But buck up and
+don't look so down in the mouth.  One would fancy you didn't cotton on
+to the Military Cross.  And here's news.  We are expecting orders for
+Mesopotamia, so that ought to cheer you up."
+
+And Wilmshurst, M.C., of the Frontier Force, cheered up accordingly.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Wilmshurst of the Frontier Force, by
+Percy F. Westerman
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+<pre>
+
+Project Gutenberg's Wilmshurst of the Frontier Force, by Percy F. Westerman
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Wilmshurst of the Frontier Force
+
+Author: Percy F. Westerman
+
+Illustrator: Ernest Prater
+
+Release Date: March 17, 2013 [EBook #26642]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WILMSHURST OF THE FRONTIER FORCE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Al Haines
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="img-cover"></A>
+<CENTER>
+<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-cover.jpg" ALT="Cover art" BORDER="2" WIDTH="495" HEIGHT="761">
+<H4 CLASS="h4center" STYLE="width: 495px">
+Cover art
+</H4>
+</CENTER>
+
+<BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="img-front"></A>
+<CENTER>
+<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-front.jpg" ALT="&quot;CLUTCHED THE LIONESS JUST BELOW THE JAWS, HOLDING HER   IN A VICE-LIKE GRIP.&quot;" BORDER="2" WIDTH="400" HEIGHT="634">
+<H4 CLASS="h4center" STYLE="width: 400px">
+&quot;CLUTCHED THE LIONESS JUST BELOW THE JAWS, HOLDING HER   IN A VICE-LIKE GRIP.&quot;
+</H4>
+</CENTER>
+
+<BR><BR>
+
+<H1 ALIGN="center">
+WILMSHURST OF THE FRONTIER FORCE
+</H1>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+BY
+</H3>
+
+<H2 ALIGN="center">
+PERCY F. WESTERMAN
+</H2>
+
+<BR><BR>
+
+<H5 ALIGN="center">
+AUTHOR OF "BILLY BARCROFT, R.N.A.S,"<BR>
+"A SUB. OF THE R.N.R," ETC., ETC.<BR>
+</H5>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+Publishers
+<BR>
+PARTRIDGE
+<BR>
+London
+<BR>
+1918
+</H4>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<H2 ALIGN="center">
+CONTENTS
+</H2>
+
+<TABLE ALIGN="center" WIDTH="80%">
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">CHAPTER</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">I.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap01">ON ACTIVE SERVICE</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">II.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap02">CHAOS IN THE CABIN</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">III.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap03">THE RAIDER</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IV.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap04">SPOFFORTH, MACGREGOR AND THE LIONESS</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">V.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap05">HOW THE KOPJE WAS STORMED</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VI.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap06">THE WARNING SHOT</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap07">A TRUE MAN OR A TRAITOR</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VIII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap08">ULRICH VON GOBENDORFF</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IX.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap09">THE FIGHT FOR THE SEAPLANE</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">X.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap10">PREPARATIONS</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XI.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap11">THE SNIPER</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap12">THE STORMING OF M'GANGA</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap13">THE FUGITIVE</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIV.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap14">ON THE TRACK</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XV.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap15">RESCUED</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVI.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap16">'GAINST HEAVY ODDS</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap17">WATER</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVIII.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap18">IN THE ENEMY'S POSITIONS</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIX.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap19">CORNERED AT LAST</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+<TR>
+<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XX.&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
+<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">
+<A HREF="#chap20">QUITS</A></TD>
+</TR>
+
+</TABLE>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap01"></A>
+
+<H1 ALIGN="center">
+WILMSHURST OF THE FRONTIER FORCE
+</H1>
+
+<BR>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER I
+</H3>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+ON ACTIVE SERVICE
+</H4>
+
+<P>
+"Four o'clock mornin', sah; bugle him go for revally."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dudley Wilmshurst, Second Lieutenant of the Nth West African Regiment,
+threw off the light coverings, pulled aside the mosquito curtains, and
+sat upon the edge of his cot, hardly able to realise that Tari Barl,
+his Haussa servant, had announced the momentous news.  Doubtful whether
+his senses were not playing him false Wilmshurst glanced round the
+room.  On a metal table, the legs of which stood in metal jars filled
+with water and paraffin to counteract the ravages of the white ants,
+lay his field-equipment&mdash;a neatly-rolled green canvas valise with his
+name and regiment stamped in bold block letters; his Sam Browne belt
+with automatic pistol holster attached; his sword&mdash;a mere token of
+authority but otherwise little better than a useless encumbrance&mdash;and a
+pair of binoculars in a leather case that bore signs of the excessive
+dampness of the climate on The Coast, as the littoral of the African
+shore 'twixt the Niger and the Senegal Rivers is invariably referred to
+by the case-hardened white men who have fought against the pestilential
+climate and won.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A short distance from the oil stove on which a kettle was boiling,
+thanks to the energy and thoughtfulness of Private Tari Barl, stood an
+assortment of camp equipment: canvas <I>tent d'abri</I>, ground sheets,
+aluminium mess traps, a folding canvas bath, and last but not least an
+indispensable Doulton pump filter.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When a man's head is buzzing from the effects of strong doses of
+quinine, and his limbs feel limp and almost devoid of strength, it is
+not to be wondered at that he is decidedly "off colour."  It was only
+Wilmshurst's indomitable will that had pulled him through a bout of
+malaria in time to be passed fit for active service with the "Waffs,"
+as the West African Field Force is commonly known from the initial
+letters of the official designation.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And here was Tari Barl&mdash;"Tarry Barrel," his master invariably dubbed
+him&mdash;smiling all over his ebony features as he stood, clad in active
+service kit and holding a cup of fragrant tea.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Tari Barl was a typical specimen of the West African native from whom
+the ranks of the Coast regiments are recruited.  In height about five
+feet ten, he was well built from his thighs upwards.  Even his
+loosely-fitting khaki tunic did not conceal the massive chest with its
+supple muscles and the long, sinewy arms that knew how to swing to the
+rhythm of bayonet exercise.  His legs, however, were thin and spindly.
+To any one not accustomed to the native build it would seem strange
+that the apparently puny lower limbs could support such a heavy frame.
+He was wearing khaki shorts and puttees; even the latter, tightly
+fitting, did little to disguise the meagreness of his calves.  He was
+barefooted, for the West African soldier has a rooted dislike to boots,
+although issued as part of his equipment.  On ceremonial parades he
+will wear them, outwardly uncomplainingly, but at the first opportunity
+he will discard them, slinging the unnecessary footgear round his neck.
+Thorns, that in the "bush" will rip the best pair of British-made
+marching-boots to shreds in a very short time, trouble him hardly at
+all, for the soles of his feet, which with the palms of his hands are
+the only white parts of his epidermis, are as hard as iron.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"All my kit ready, Tarry Barrel?" enquired Wilmshurst as he sipped his
+tea.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"All ready, sah; Sergeant Bela Moshi him lib for tell fatigue party
+mighty quick.  No need worry, sah."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dismissing his servant the subaltern "tubbed" and dressed.  They start
+the day early on the Coast, getting through most of the routine before
+nine, since the intense heat of the tropical sun makes strenuous
+exertion not only unpleasant but highly dangerous.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But to-day was of a different order.  The regiment was to embark at
+eight o'clock on board the transport <I>Zungeru</I> for active service in
+the vast stretch of country known as "German East," where the Huns with
+their well-trained Askaris, or native levies, were putting up a stiff
+resistance against the Imperial and Colonial troops of the British
+Empire.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+On his way to the mess Wilmshurst ran up against Barkley, the P.M.O. of
+the garrison.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hullo there!" exclaimed the doctor.  "How goes it?  Fit?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Absolutely," replied the subaltern.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The doctor smiled and shrugged his shoulders.  He knew perfectly well
+that no officer warned for active service would reply otherwise.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Buzzing all gone?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Practically," replied Wilmshurst.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"All right; stick to five grains of quinine during the whole of the
+voyage&mdash;and don't be afraid to let me know if you aren't up to the
+mark.  Suppose you've heard nothing further of your brother?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Wilmshurst shook his head.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not since the letter written just before the war, and that took nearly
+twelve months before it reached me.  It's just possible that Rupert is
+in the thick of it with the Rhodesian crush."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Barkley made no comment.  He was an old college chum of Rupert
+Wilmshurst, who was fifteen years older than his brother Dudley.  The
+elder Wilmshurst was a proverbial rolling stone.  Almost as soon as he
+left Oxford he went abroad and, after long wanderings in the interior
+of China, Siberia, and Manchuria, where his adventures merely
+stimulated the craving for wandering on the desolate parts of the
+earth, he went to the Cape, working his way up country until he made a
+temporary settlement on the northern Rhodesian shores of Lake
+Tanganyika.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was thence that he wrote to his brother Dudley, who had just taken
+up a Crown appointment on the Coast, mentioning that he had penetrated
+into the territory known as German East.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The subaltern remembered the letter almost by heart.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There'll be trouble out here before very long," wrote Rupert.
+"Britishers settling down in this part almost invariably roll a
+cricket-pitch or lay out a football field.  With Hans it is very
+different.  The Germans' idea of colonization is to start building up a
+military organization.  Every 'post' in which there are German settlers
+has its company of armed blacks&mdash;Askaris they call them.  And as for
+ammunition, they are laying in stores sufficient to wage a two-years'
+war; not merely small arms ammunition, but quick-firer shells as well.
+Quite by accident I found kegs of cartridges buried close to my camp.
+For what reason?  The natives are quiet enough, so the ammunition is
+not for use against them.  I am sending this letter by a trusty native
+to be posted at Pambete, as it would be unwise to make use of the
+German colonial post.  Meanwhile I am penetrating further into this
+stretch of territory under the Black Cross Ensign&mdash;possibly in the
+direction of Tabora.  My researches may be taken seriously by the
+Foreign Office, but I have my doubts.  Fortunately I have a jolly good
+pal with me, a Scotsman named Macgregor, whom I met at Jo-burg.  Don't
+be anxious if you don't hear from me for some time."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The letter was dated July, 1914, and three years, Dudley reflected, is
+a very exaggerated interpretation of the term "some time."  Even taking
+into consideration the lack of efficient internal and external
+communication, the state of war embroiling practically the whole
+civilized world and the perils to which shipping was subjected owing to
+the piratical exploits of the Huns&mdash;all these facts would hardly offer
+sufficient explanation for a total absence of news from Rupert
+Wilmshurst unless&mdash;&mdash;
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There are parts of Africa which are still described as the Dark
+Continent&mdash;wild, desolate stretches where a man can disappear without
+leaving the faintest trace of the manner of his presumed death, while
+in German East there were unscrupulous despots&mdash;the disciples of
+atrocious kultur&mdash;only too ready to condemn an Englishman without even
+the farcical formality of a court-martial.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Already events had proved that Rupert Wilmshurst's statement was
+well-founded.  In her African colonies, in Kiau-Chau, and elsewhere for
+years past Germany had been assiduously preparing for The Day.  Under
+the firm but erroneous impression that Great Britain would have her
+hands full in connection with affairs at home, that the Boers in South
+Africa would revolt and that the Empire would fall to pieces at the
+declaration of war between England and Germany, the Hun in Africa had
+prepared huge stores of munitions and trained thousands of native
+troops with the intention of wresting the adjoining ill-defended
+territories from their owners.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+No wonder that the Huns hugged themselves with delight when by a
+disastrous stroke of statesmanship Great Britain exchanged the
+crumbling island of Heligoland for some millions of square miles of
+undeveloped territory hitherto held by Germany.  While Heligoland was
+being protected by massive concrete walls and armed by huge guns to
+form a practically impregnable bulwark to the North Sea coast of
+Germany, England was by peaceful methods developing her new African
+acquisition.  Germany could then afford to wait until the favourable
+opportunity and by force of arms seize and hold the territory that was
+once hers and which in the meantime had enormously increased
+commercially at the expense of Britain.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But the Kaiser had miscalculated the loyalty of the colonies.  Canada,
+South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, to say nothing of smaller
+offshoots of the Empire, had rallied to the flag.  Boers who fourteen
+years previously had fought doggedly and determinedly against England
+volunteered for service, and their offer was accepted for expeditions
+against German West Africa and then against German East, while shoulder
+to shoulder with their late enemies were Imperial troops, including
+Indian and West African contingents.  Amongst the reinforcements from
+the latter was the Nth West African Regiment.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+By six o'clock breakfast was over and the troops were falling in for
+parade and C.O.'s inspection.  As Second Lieutenant Wilmshurst crossed
+the dusty barrack "square," which was a rectangle enclosed on three
+sides by the native huts and on the fourth by the Quartermaster's
+"stores" and orderly room, he found that the men of his platoon were
+already drawn up in full marching order.  At the sight of their young
+officer&mdash;for it was the first time for several weeks that Wilmshurst
+had appeared on parade&mdash;a streak of dazzling ivory started and
+stretched from end to end of the line as the Haussas' mouths opened
+wide in welcoming smiles, displaying a lavish array of teeth that
+contrasted vividly with their ebony features.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+That Wilmshurst was popular with his men there could be no doubt.  Had
+it been otherwise not a suspicion of a smile would have appeared upon
+their faces.  The subaltern had the knack of handling African troops,
+and without that knack an officer might just as well transfer
+elsewhere.  Firmness, strict impartiality, and consideration for the
+welfare of the men under his orders had been rewarded by a
+whole-hearted devotion on the part of the blacks to "Massa Wilmst,"
+while every man had the satisfaction that he was known by name to the
+junior subaltern.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The company officer had not yet put in an appearance, but the platoon
+commanders and their subordinates were engaged either in discussing
+impending plans or else minutely examining their men's equipment, lest
+the eagle eye of the C.O. should detect some deficiency during the
+forthcoming inspection.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"All correct, sergeant?" enquired Wilmshurst, addressing a tall Haussa,
+Bela Moshi by name.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The sergeant saluted smartly, replying, with a broad smile, that
+everything was in order.  A child by nature, Bela Moshi had developed
+into a smart and efficient soldier without losing the simple
+characteristics of the African native.  He was a first-class marksman,
+although it had required long and patient training to get him to
+understand the use of sights and verniers and to eradicate the belief,
+everywhere prevalent amongst savage races, that to raise the backsight
+to its highest elevation results in harder hitting by the bullet.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Bela Moshi was smart with the machine-gun, too, while for scouting and
+tracking work there were few who equalled him.  The regiment was father
+and mother to the ebon warrior, while of all the officers Wilmshurst
+was his special favourite.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The subaltern realised it but could give no reason for Bela Moshi's
+preferential treatment; not that Wilmshurst had gone out of his way to
+favour the man.  He treated the rank and file of his platoon with
+impartial fairness, ever ready to hear complaints, but woe betide the
+black who tried to "get to windward" of the young officer.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Upon the approach of the C.O. the ranks stiffened.  The display of
+ivory vanished, and with thick, pouting lips, firmly closed, and eyes
+fixed rigidly in front the men awaited the minute inspection.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Colonel Quarrier was a man who had grown grey in the service of the
+Crown.  For over thirty years he had held a commission in the Nth West
+Africa Regiment, rising from a fresh young Second Lieutenant to the
+rank of Colonel Commandant and ruler of the destinies of nearly a
+thousand men.  "Case hardened" to the attacks of mosquitos, his system
+overcharged with malarial germs until the scourge of the Coast failed
+to harm him, Colonel Quarrier possessed one of the principal
+qualifications for bush-fighting in the Tropics&mdash;a "salted"
+constitution.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Already he had served in four African campaigns, having but recently
+taken part in the comparatively brief but strenuous Kamarun expedition.
+He was a past-master in the art of fighting in miasmic jungles, and now
+he was about to engage in operations on a larger and slightly different
+scale&mdash;bush-fighting in German East, where ranges of temperature are
+experienced from the icy cold air of the upper ground of Kilimanjaro to
+the sweltering heat of the low-lying land but a few degrees south of
+the Line.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The parade over a hoarse order rang out.  A drum and bugle band
+belonging to another regiment struck up a lively air and the black and
+khaki lines swung about into "column of route."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The "Waffs" were off to the conquest of the last of Germany's
+ultra-European colonies.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap02"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER II
+</H3>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+CHAOS IN THE CABIN
+</H4>
+
+<P>
+It was a march of about five miles to the beach along a straight road
+bordered with palm trees.  At some distance from the highway the
+country was thick with scrub, from which the sickly smell of the
+mangroves rose in the still slanting rays of the sun.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Most of the heavy baggage had already been sent down, but with the
+troops were hundreds of native carriers, each bearing a load of about
+sixty pounds, while crowds of native women and children flocked to see
+the last of the regiment for some time to come.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The embarkation had to be performed by means of boats from the open
+beach, against which white rollers surged heavily, the thundering of
+the surf being audible for miles.  At a long distance from the shore,
+so that she appeared little larger than a boat, lay the transport
+<I>Zungeru</I>, rolling sluggishly at a single anchor, while steaming slowly
+in the offing was a light cruiser detailed to act as escort to the
+convoy, for more transports were under orders to rendezvous off Cape
+Coast Castle.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Amidst the loud and discordant vociferations of the native boatmen the
+troops boarded the broad, shallow-drafted surf boats, each man having
+the breech-mechanism of his rifle carefully wrapped in oiled canvas to
+prevent injury from salt water.  In batches of twenty the Waffs left
+their native soil, but not before three boat loads had been
+unceremoniously capsized in the surf, to the consternation of the men
+affected and the light-hearted merriment of their more fortunate
+comrades.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Without mishap Wilmshurst gained the accommodation-ladder of the
+<I>Zungeru</I>, where brawny British mercantile seamen, perspiring freely in
+the torrid heat, were energetically assisting their black passengers on
+board with encouraging shouts of "Up with you, Sambo!" "Mind your nut,
+Darkie!" and similar exhortations.  The while derricks were swaying in
+and out, whipping the baggage from the holds of the lighters that lay
+alongside, grinding heavily in the swell, fenders notwithstanding.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Having seen the men of his platoon safely on board Wilmshurst went
+below to the two-berthed cabin which he was to share with Laxdale, the
+subaltern of No. 2 platoon.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Opening the door Wilmshurst promptly ducked his head to avoid a
+sweeping blow with a knotted towel which his brother officer was
+wielding desperately and frantically.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hullo!" exclaimed Laxdale breathlessly.  "Come in and bear a hand.
+Hope I didn't flick you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What's wrong?" enquired Dudley, eyeing with feelings of apprehension
+the sight of the disordered cabin.  "Looks as if a Hun four-point-one
+had been at work here."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The "traps" of both subalterns were littering the floor in utmost
+confusion.  Sheets, blankets and mosquito nets had been torn from the
+bunks, while a smashed water-bottle and glass bore testimony to the
+erratic onslaught of the wildly excited Laxdale.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Almost wish it had," exclaimed the harassed subaltern.  "I was
+unpacking my kit when a whopping big rat jumped out of this valise.
+I'll swear that rascal of a servant of mine knows all about it.  I had
+to give him a dressing down yesterday for losing some of my gear.
+We'll have to find the animal, Wilmshurst.  A rat is my pet
+abomination."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why not leave the door open?" suggested Dudley.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"An' let the bounder go scot-free?" added Laxdale, a gleam of grim
+determination in his eyes.  "No jolly fear.  We'll lay him out
+properly.  Here you are, take this."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He handed Wilmshurst a towel roller made of teak, forming a heavy and
+effective weapon.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"This is where I think the brute's hiding," continued Laxdale,
+indicating a long drawer under the lowermost bunk.  "I was stowing some
+of my gear away when I spotted him.  After five minutes' strafing he
+disappeared, but goodness knows how he managed to get through that
+little slit.  Now stand by."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Entering into the spirit of the chase Dudley knelt down and waited with
+poised stick while Laxdale charily opened the drawer.  Like most
+drawers on board ship and frequently elsewhere it jammed.  By frantic
+up and down movements the subaltern freed it.  Then he waited, both
+officers listening intently.  Not a sound came from within.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Don't suppose the brute's there after all.  He must have effected a
+strategic movement....  Look out, by Jove!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Acting upon his impression Laxdale had tugged the drawer half open.
+Instantly there was a vision of a dark object darting with
+lightning-like rapidity.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Down came Wilmshurst's towel roller a fraction of a second too late for
+Mister Rat.  At the same time Laxdale moved his hands along the ledge
+of the drawer and received the full force of the blow across the
+knuckles.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sorry!" exclaimed Wilmshurst.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Laxdale, nursing the injured hand, made no audible comment.
+Deliberately he relieved Dudley of the towel-roller, throwing his
+companion the knotted towel in exchange.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Where's the brute now?" he asked grimly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A scuffling noise in a tin bath suspended from the cork-cemented roof
+of the cabin betrayed the rodent's temporary hiding-place.  Both men
+looked first at the bath and then at each other.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It would be as well if we put our helmets on," suggested Wilmshurst,
+replacing his "double-pith" headgear.  "Now, I'll shake the bath and
+you let rip when he falls.  But please don't try to get your own back
+on me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As a precautionary measure Dudley beat the side of the bath with the
+towel.  It might have been efficacious if the subaltern had been
+engaging in apiarian operations, but as far as present events went it
+was a "frost."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Tilt it, old man," suggested Laxdale.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Wilmshurst carried out this suggestion only too well.  The bath,
+slipping from its supporting fixtures, clattered noisily to the floor,
+its edge descending heavily upon Dudley's foot.  Again a momentary
+vision of the leaping rodent, then, crash!  With a mighty sweep of the
+tower-roller Laxdale demolished the electric-light globe into a
+thousand fragments.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Getting on," he remarked cheerfully.  "There'll be a big bill for
+'barrack damages' eh, what?  Where's the brute?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The rat, terrified by the din, had retired to a recess formed by the
+bulkhead of the cabin and the fixed wash-basin and was acting strictly
+on the defensive.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Aha!" exclaimed Laxdale.  "Now you're cornered.  No use yelling
+'Mercy, kamerad.'"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Levelling the roller like a billiard cue the subaltern prepared to make
+a thrust and administer the <I>coup de grāce</I>, but he had forgotten that
+he had not yet found his sea-legs.  A roll of the ship made him lose
+his balance, and he pitched head foremost into the rodent's retreat.
+Like a flash the rat leapt, scampered over Laxdale's helmet, down his
+back and took refuge in the breast-pocket of Wilmshurst's tunic.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dudley beat all records in slipping off his Sam Browne and discarding
+the tunic, for by the time his companion had regained his feet the
+garment lay on the floor.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Stamp on it!" yelled the now thoroughly excited and exasperated
+subaltern.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's my tunic, remember," protested Dudley firmly as he pushed his
+brother-officer aside.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Just then the door opened, and Spofforth, another member of the "Lone
+Star Crush" appeared, enquiring, "What's all the row about, you
+fellows?  Scrapping?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Shut that door!" exclaimed Laxdale hurriedly.  "Either in or out, old
+man."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The hunters suspended operations to wipe the streams of perspiration
+from their faces and to explain matters.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ratting, eh?" queried Spofforth.  "You fellows look like a pair of
+Little Willies looting a French chateau."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hullo!  More of 'em," murmured Laxdale as the door was unceremoniously
+pushed open and another of the "One Pip" officers made his appearance.
+"Look alive, Danvers, and don't stand there looking in the air.  Walk
+in and take a pew, if you can find one."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I've come to borrow a glass," remarked the latest arrival.  "Mine's
+smashed and my batman hasn't unpacked my aluminium traps.  Judging by
+appearances, by Jove!  I've drawn a blank.  What's up&mdash;a toppin' rag,
+or have the water pipes burst?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Wilmshurst and Laxdale sat on the upper bunk, Spofforth on the closed
+lid of the wash-basin stand, and Danvers found a temporary
+resting-place on the none too rigid top of a cabin trunk.  Each man
+kept his feet carefully clear of the floor, while four pairs of eyes
+were fixed upon Dudley's tunic, the folds of which were pulsating under
+the violent lung-movements of the sheltering rodent.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why not shake the brute out?" suggested Danvers.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You try it," suggested Laxdale, whose enthusiasm was decidedly on the
+wane.  "Wilmshurst here has turned mouldy.  He refuses point blank to
+let me use his raiment of neutral colour as a door-mat.  I might add
+that if you've ever had the experience of a particularly active member
+of the rodent family scampering down your back you wouldn't be quite so
+keen."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"How about turning out the machine-gun section?" asked Spofforth.
+"Look here, if you fellows want to be ready for tiffen you'd better get
+a move on.  Suppose&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Still they come!" exclaimed Laxdale, as a knock sounded on the
+jalousie of the cabin door.  "Come in."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was Tari Barl in search of his master.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Tarry Barrel, you old sinner," said Wilmshurst, "can you catch a rat?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Me lib for find Mutton Chop, sah," replied the Haussa saluting.  "Find
+him one time and come quick."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dudley looked enquiringly at his cabin-mate, knowing that Mutton Chop
+was Laxdale's servant.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, so that rascal's the culprit," declared Laxdale.  "Didn't I say I
+thought so?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Bring Mutton Chop here," ordered Wilmshurst, addressing the broadly
+smiling Tari Barl.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Haussa vanished, presently to reappear with almost an exact
+counterpart of himself.  It would be a difficult matter for a stranger
+to tell the difference between the two natives.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What d'ye mean, you black scoundrel, by putting a rat into my traps?"
+demanded Laxdale.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No did put, sah; him lib for come one time," expostulated Laxdale's
+servant.  "Me play, 'Come to cook-house door,' den him catchee."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Producing a small native flute Mutton Chop began to play a soft air.
+For perhaps thirty seconds every one and everything else was still in
+the desolated cabin; then slowly but without any signs of furtiveness
+the rat pushed his head between the folds of Wilmshurst's tunic,
+sniffed, and finally emerged, sat up on his hind legs, his long
+whiskers quivering with evident delight.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then, with a deft movement, Mutton Chop's fingers closed gently round
+the little animal, and to the astonishment of the four officers the
+Haussa placed the rodent in his breast pocket.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Me hab mascot same as officers, sahs!" he explained.  "No put him
+here, sah; me make tidy."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And there's the officers' call!" exclaimed Dudley as a bugle rang out.
+"Dash it all, how's a fellow to put on the thing?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And he indicated the crumpled tunic.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap03"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER III
+</H3>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+THE RAIDER
+</H4>
+
+<P>
+Accompanied by five other transports and escorted by the light cruiser
+<I>Tompion</I>, the <I>Zungeru</I> ploughed her way at a modest fifteen knots
+through the tropical waters of the Atlantic.  Although there was little
+to fear from the attacks of U-boats, for up to the present these craft
+had not appeared south of the Equator, mines had been laid by disguised
+German ships right in the area where numerous trade routes converge in
+the neighbourhood of the Cape of Good Hope, while there were rumours,
+hitherto unconfirmed, that an armed raider was at large in the South
+Atlantic.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Provided the convoy kept together there was little danger in daytime in
+that direction, but the possibilities of the raider making a sudden
+dash during the hours of darkness and using gun and torpedo with
+disastrous results could not be overlooked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The issue of lifebelts to the native troops puzzled them greatly.  They
+could not understand the precaution, for they were ignorant of the
+danger of making voyages in war-time.  Their faith in the "big canoes"
+of King George was so firm that, sea-sickness notwithstanding, they had
+no doubts or fears concerning their safe arrival in the land where
+Briton, Boer, Indian and African were doing their level best to stamp
+out the blight of German kultur.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At four bells (2 a.m.) on the fifth day of the voyage Wilmshurst was
+roused from his sleep by a commotion on deck.  Men were running hither
+and thither carrying out a series of orders shouted in stentorian
+tones.  The <I>Zungeru</I> was altering course without slackening speed,
+listing noticeably to starboard as the helm was put hard over.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Almost at the same time Laxdale awoke.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What's up?" he enquired drowsily.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I don't know," replied his companion.  "I can hear Spofforth and
+Danvers going on deck.  Let's see what's doing."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Acting upon this suggestion the two officers hastily donned their great
+coats over their pyjamas, slipped their feet into their canvas slices
+and went on deck.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was a calm night.  The crescent moon was low down in the western
+sky, but its brilliance was sufficient to enable objects to be seen
+distinctly.  Silhouetted against the slanting beams was the escorting
+cruiser, which was pelting along at full speed and overhauling the
+<I>Zungeru</I> hand over fist.  Although the cruiser and her convoy were
+without steaming lights the former's yard-arm lamp was blinking out a
+message in Morse.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The transports were in "double column line ahead," steaming due west
+instead of following the course that would bring them within sight of
+Table Bay.  Less than a cable's length on the starboard column's beam
+was the cruiser.  She had already overtaken two of the transports, and
+was now lapping the <I>Zungeru's</I> quarter.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The object of this nocturnal display of activity was now apparent.
+Less than a mile away was a large steamer, which had just steadied on
+her helm and was now on a parallel course to that of the convoy.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Anything startling?" enquired a major of one of the <I>Zungeru's</I>
+officers who was passing.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Oh, no," was the reply.  "A tramp was trying to cut across our bows.
+The <I>Tompion</I> has signalled to know what's her little game.  She's just
+replied that she's the steamship <I>Ponto</I>, and wants to know whether
+there have been any signs of a supposed raider."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The ship's officer continued on his way.  The two subalterns, in no
+hurry to return to their bunks, for the night air was warm and
+fragrant, remained on deck, watching the manoeuvres of the cruiser and
+the <I>Ponto</I>.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The exchange of signals continued for about ten minutes, then the
+<I>Tompion</I> resumed her station at the head of the convoy, while the
+<I>Ponto</I> took up her position on the beam of the starboard line.
+Presently in obedience to a signal the ships altered helm and settled
+down on their former course, the large steamer following suit, although
+dropping steadily astern, for her speed was considerably less than that
+of the transports.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Presently the ship's officer returned.  As he passed Wilmshurst stopped
+him, enquiring whether anything had developed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The <I>Ponto</I> has cold feet," explained the <I>Zungeru's</I> officer.  "Her
+Old Man seems to be under the impression that there is a Hun scuttling
+around, so he's signalled for permission to tail on to us.  The cruiser
+offered no objection, provided the speed of the convoy is unaffected,
+so by daylight the tramp will be hull-down, I expect."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Much ado about nothing," remarked Laxdale.  "I say, old man, let's
+turn in again.  What's the matter with you?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He grasped Wilmshurst by the arm.  The subaltern, apparently heedless
+of the touch, was gazing fixedly at the tramp.  The mercantile officer
+and Laxdale both followed the direction of his look, the former giving
+vent to a low whistle.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+From above the gunwale of a boat stowed amidships on the <I>Ponto</I> a
+feeble light glimmered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Help&mdash;German raider," it signalled.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You read it?" enquired the sailor hurriedly, as if to confirm the
+evidence of his own eyes.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes," replied Wilmshurst, and repeated the signal.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Without another word the <I>Zungeru's</I> officer turned and raced to the
+bridge.  In a few moments the signal was passed on to the <I>Tompion</I> by
+means of a flashlamp, the rays of which were invisible save from the
+direction of the receiver.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Very good," was the cruiser's reply.  "Carry on."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A little later the general order was flashed in to the convoy.
+"Increase speed to seventeen knots."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The instructions were promptly carried out as far as the transports
+were concerned, but from the <I>Ponto</I> came a signal: "Am doing my
+maximum speed.  Must drop astern if speed of convoy is not reduced."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The blighter has got hold of the code all right," remarked Laxdale.
+"We'll wait and see the fun.  Wonder why we are whacking up speed?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The cruiser wants to get the transports out of harm's way, I should
+imagine," replied Wilmshurst.  "By Jove, it's rummy how news spreads.
+The whole mess is coming on deck."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The arrival of the colonel and almost all the other officers in various
+"fancy rig" proved the truth of Dudley's remark.  Armed with field
+glasses, marine-glasses, and telescopes the officers gathered aft,
+dividing their attention between the labouring <I>Ponto</I> and the
+greyhound <I>Tompion</I>.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In about an hour the tramp had dropped astern to the distance of a
+little over five miles, but was still maintaining a course parallel to
+that of the convoy, while the escorting cruiser was still zig-zagging
+across the bows of the leading transports.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Presently the <I>Tompion</I> turned sharply to starboard, steering westward
+for quite two miles before she shaped a course exactly opposite to that
+of the convoy, signalling the while to the <I>Ponto</I>, asking various,
+almost commonplace questions regarding her speed and coal-consumption.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was merely a ruse to lull suspicion.  With every gun manned and
+torpedoes launched home the cruiser flung about until she was bows on
+to the stern of the tramp.  Then came the decided mandate: "Heave-to
+and send a boat."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Unable to bring more than three guns to bear astern the Hun raider&mdash;for
+such the so-called <I>Ponto</I> was&mdash;ported helm, her speed increasing
+rapidly.  Almost at the same time a six-inch gun sent a shell
+perilously close to the weather side of the cruiser's fore-bridge.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Before the raider could fire a second time three shells struck her
+close to the stern-post, literally pulverising the whole of the poop.
+The after six-inch gun, which had been concealed under a dummy
+deck-house, was blown from its mountings, the heavy weapon crashing
+through the shattered decks to the accompaniment of a shower of
+splinters and a dense pall of flame-tinged smoke.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was more than the Huns bargained for.  Knowing that the British
+cruiser was already aware of the presence of a number of prisoners on
+board the raider counted on the <I>Tompion</I> withholding her fire.  The
+<I>Ponto</I> would then "crack on speed," for in spite of her alleged
+maximum of eleven knots she was capable of working up to twenty-eight,
+or a knot more than the speed of the cruiser under forced draught.
+These hopes were nipped in the bud by the <I>Tompion</I> blowing away the
+<I>Ponto's</I> stern and putting both propellers out of action.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Of subsequent events immediately following the brief action Wilmshurst
+and his brother officers saw little.  Their whole attention was
+directed towards their men, for the Haussas, on hearing the gun-fire,
+impetuously made a rush on deck&mdash;not by reason of panic but out of the
+deep curiosity that is ever to the fore in the minds of West African
+natives to a far greater extent than in the case of Europeans.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Next morning the <I>Ponto</I> was nowhere to be seen.  She had foundered
+within two hours of the engagement, while two hundred of her officers
+and crew were prisoners of war on board the <I>Tompion</I>, and a hundred
+and twenty British subjects, mostly the crews of vessels taken and sunk
+by the raider, found themselves once more under the banner of
+liberty&mdash;the White Ensign.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+During the course of the day Wilmshurst heard the salient facts in
+connection with the raider's career.  She was the Hamburg-Amerika
+intermediate liner <I>Porfurst</I>, who, after being armed and camouflaged,
+had contrived to escape the cordon of patrol-boats in the North
+Atlantic.  For three months she had followed her piratical occupation,
+re-provisioning and re-coaling from the vessels she captured.  Whenever
+her prisoners grew in number sufficiently to cause inconvenience the
+<I>Porfurst</I> spared one of her prizes for the purpose of landing the
+captives in some remote port.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was by a pure fluke that the raider ran almost blindly under the
+guns of the <I>Tompion</I>.  Under the impression that the convoy consisted
+of unescorted merchantmen the <I>Porfurst</I> steamed athwart their track,
+and slowing down to eleven or twelve knots, awaited the arrival of a
+likely prey.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Finding too late that the convoy was not so impotent as at first
+appearance the kapitan of the <I>Porfurst</I> attempted a daring ruse.  Upon
+being challenged by the cruiser he gave the vessel's name as <I>Ponto</I>,
+the real craft having been sunk by the raider only two days previously.
+The Hun stood a chance of dropping astern and slipping away but for the
+furtive and timely warning signalled by a young apprentice, who,
+contriving to creep unobserved into one of the boats, made good use of
+a small electric torch which he had managed to retain.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Enquiries of the released prisoners resulted in the information that
+they had been treated by their captors in a far better manner than the
+Huns generally deal with those unfortunate individuals who fall into
+their hands.  The kapitan of the <I>Porfurst</I> was no exception to the
+usual run of Germans.  It was the possibility of capture&mdash;which had
+developed into a certainty&mdash;that had influenced him in his treatment of
+the crews of the sunk ships.  Only the fear of just reprisals kept him
+within the bounds of civilized warfare, and having behaved in an
+ostentatiously proper manner towards the prisoners he received in
+return honourable treatment on board the <I>Tompion</I>.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When the convoy was within two days' sail of Table Bay another convoy
+was sighted steering north, while wireless orders were received for the
+<I>Tompion</I> to escort the homeward bound ships and let the transports
+"carry on" under the protection of two destroyers sent from Simon's
+Town.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Upon receipt of these orders the captain of the cruiser signalled the
+<I>Zungeru</I>, asking her to receive on board the released crews of the
+sunk ships and to land them at Table Bay.  Although wondering why the
+men should be set ashore at the Cape instead of being taken back to
+England the master of the transport offered no objection, and
+preparations were made to tranship the ex-prisoners.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Knowing several officers of the mercantile marine, Wilmshurst strolled
+into the <I>Zungeru's</I> ship's office and asked the purser's clerk to let
+him have a look at the list of supernumeraries.  There was a chance
+that some of his acquaintances might be amongst the released prisoners
+now on board the transport.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As far as the officers' names were concerned Dudley "drew blank."  He
+was on the point of handing the type-written list back to the purser's
+clerk when he noticed a few names written in red ink&mdash;three civilians
+who had been taking passages in ships that had fallen victims to the
+raider <I>Porfurst</I>.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"MacGregor&mdash;Robert; of Umfuli, Rhodesia&mdash;that's remarkable," thought
+Wilmshurst.  "That's the name of Rupert's chum.  Wonder if it's the
+same man?  There may be dozens of MacGregors in Rhodesia; I'll see if I
+can get in touch with this MacGregor."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+That same afternoon the Rhodesian was pointed out to Dudley by the
+third mate as he strolled into the smoking-room.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Robert MacGregor was a man of about thirty-eight or forty, tall,
+raw-boned and with curling hair that had a decided auburn hue.  In the
+absence of any description of Rupert's chum, Dudley had no idea of what
+he was like, and until he approached this MacGregor his curiosity was
+not likely to be satisfied.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Excuse me," began Wilmshurst.  "I believe your name is Robert
+MacGregor?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Rhodesian, without showing any surprise at the subaltern's
+question, merely nodded.  A man who has lived practically alone for
+years in the wilds is not usually ready with his tongue.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Did you ever run across a man called Wilmshurst&mdash;Rupert Wilmshurst?"
+continued Dudley.  "He's my brother, you know," he added by way of
+explanation.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes," replied MacGregor slowly.  "He was a chum of mine."
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap04"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER IV
+</H3>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+SPOFFORTH, MACGREGOR, AND THE LIONESS
+</H4>
+
+<P>
+Robert MacGregor pulled a pipe from his pocket and leisurely filled it
+with Boer tobacco.  His slow, deliberate way contrasted forcibly with
+Wilmshurst's quick, incisive manner; his slow dialect would have
+irritated the subaltern beyond measure but for the fact that he guessed
+the Rhodesian to be of Scots descent.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dudley noticed particularly that MacGregor had referred to his brother
+in the past tense.  It sounded ominous.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Was a chum?" he repeated with an accent on the first word.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"In a sense, yes," replied MacGregor.  "We went for a couple of trips
+into German East.  The last time was just before the war.  You know why
+we went?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It was in connection with a hidden store of ammunition, I believe,"
+replied Wilmshurst.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Rhodesian nodded slowly, puffing steadily at his pipe.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Rupert found a mare's nest, I fancy," he continued.  "At any rate,
+before we made any really important discoveries I had to go back to
+Jo'burg.  Had no option, so to speak.  Then, in connection with the
+same business, I penetrated into German South-West Africa.  I was in
+Bersheba for nearly a fortnight before I heard that war had broken out,
+and the first intimation I had was being put under arrest and sent up
+country to Windhoek.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"When Botha overrun the colony I was released and offered a sound job
+at Walfisch Bay&mdash;fairly important Government appointment in connection
+with the distilling plant.  That completed I thought I'd trek back to
+Rhodesia and do a bit in German East.  Thinking I would do the trip
+round quicker by sea I took passage on the <I>Ibex</I>, a tramp of about two
+thousand tons, and within twelve hours of leaving Walfisch Bay the boat
+was captured by the <I>Porfurst</I>."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I hope I'm not tiring you with too many questions," said Wilmshurst
+after he had made several enquiries respecting his brother.  The
+answers received were far from satisfactory, for MacGregor seemed to
+make a point of "switching off" the subject of Rupert Wilmshurst and
+dwelling at length on his own adventures.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not at all," replied the Rhodesian.  "As regards your brother you may
+get in touch with him, but German East is a whacking big country.  Are
+you part of a brigade?" he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We're just the 'Waffs,'" replied Dudley.  "The West African Field
+Force, you know.  As regards numbers or our scene of action I haven't
+the remotest idea at present.  I don't believe that even the colonel
+knows."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"At any rate," continued MacGregor, "I think I'll see your colonel and
+get him to let me proceed in the <I>Zungeru</I>.  It doesn't very much
+matter whether I join the Rhodesian contingent, although I'd prefer to,
+or get attached to one of the Boer detachments, or even your crush, if
+they'd have me.  I don't want to brag, Mr. Wilmshurst, but I'd be
+mighty useful, knowing the country as I do."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+MacGregor's application met with favourable consideration, although he
+did not tell Wilmshurst the result of the interview with the colonel
+until the transports dropped anchor in Table Bay and the rest of the
+released men went ashore.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Bad weather off Cape Agulhas made the rounding of the southernmost part
+of Africa a disagreeable business, but in ideal climatic conditions the
+convoy, with two destroyers still on escort duties, approached Cape
+Delgado, beyond which the territory of German East commences.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The short tropical dusk was deepening into night when two tramp
+steamers were sighted, bearing N.N.E.  In obedience to a signal from
+one of the destroyers they revealed themselves as two Dutch trading
+ships bound from Batavia to Rotterdam, but driven out of their course
+by a succession of gales at the commencement of the south-west monsoon.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Commanded to heave-to both vessels were boarded by examination officers
+from the destroyer, but their papers being quite in order and nothing
+of a suspicious nature discovered amongst the cargo they were allowed
+to proceed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At daybreak the convoy learnt that both vessels had been shelled and
+destroyed by a British cruiser, but not in time to prevent them landing
+two batteries of 4.1 inch Krupp field-guns at the mouth of the Mohoro
+river.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Rough luck those vessels slipping through the blockade like that,"
+commented Spofforth.  "Those guns are as good as a couple of battalions
+of Askaris to the Huns."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Never mind," rejoined Danvers.  "It'll put a bit of heart into Fritz
+and make him buck up.  That'll give us a chance of smelling powder."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Perhaps," said Wilmshurst.  "I heard the major say that field
+artillery was more of a drag than a benefit to the Boers in the South
+African War.  It destroyed their mobility to a great extent, and not
+until we had captured most of the guns did the Boer start proper
+guerilla tactics&mdash;and you know how long that lasted."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hanged if I want to go foot-slogging the whole length and breadth of
+German East," commented Danvers.  "I'd rather tackle a dozen batteries
+than tramp for a twelve-month on end.  So this is that delightful spot,
+Kilwa?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He pointed to a long, low-lying expanse of land, covered with trees.
+Away to the northward the ground rose, forming a plateau of coral
+nearly fifty feet above the sea, and on which many huge baobab trees
+were growing.  The shores surrounding the harbour were low and covered
+with mangroves, but in and out could be discerned several lofty hills.
+Here and there could be seen isolated native huts, while at the head of
+the harbour clustered the thatch and tin-roofed houses of the German
+settlement, which had for several months been in British occupation.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With their systematic thoroughness the Huns had vastly improved the
+health of the hitherto miasmic-infested port, following the principles
+adopted by the Americans during the construction of the Panama Canal.
+Consequently much of the terrors of the fever-stricken port of Kilwa in
+by-gone days had disappeared, and with the continuance of ordinary
+precautions the place offered a suitable base for the columns about to
+operate between the Mohoro and Rovuma rivers.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Without undue delay the Waffs were disembarked and sent under canvas on
+fairly high ground at some distance from the harbour.  For the next
+week intense activity prevailed, the men being strenuously subjected to
+the acclimatising process, while the horses and mules had to be
+carefully watched lest the deadly sleeping-sickness should make its
+appearance at the commencement of the operations and thus place the
+troops under severe disadvantages.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The officers, too, were not spared.  Drills and parades over they had
+to attend lectures, tactical problems having to be worked out by the
+aid of military maps.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+These maps, based upon German surveys, were the most accurate
+obtainable, but even then they left much to be desired.  Subsequent
+knowledge of the country showed that frequently roads and native paths
+were indicated that had no actual existence, while on the other hand
+passable tracks were discovered that were not shown on the maps.  More
+than likely the wily Huns allowed what were presumed to be official
+maps to fall into the hands of the British, having taken particular
+care to make them misleading.  It was but one of many examples of the
+way in which Germany prepared for war not only in Europe but in her
+territorial appendages beyond the sea.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+MacGregor landed with the troops and was given a semi-official position
+as scout and attached to the same battalion to which Wilmshurst
+belonged.  Gradually his taciturnity diminished, until he developed
+into a fairly communicative individual and was generally popular with
+the Mess.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+During the stay in camp at Kilwa Wilmshurst, Danvers, Spofforth and
+Laxdale snatched the opportunity of going on a lion-hunting expedition,
+MacGregor on their invitation accompanying them.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Taking .303 Service rifles, for which a supply of notched bullets was
+provided (for game shooting purposes only these terribly destructive
+missiles are allowable), and with Sergt. Bela Moshi and half a dozen
+Haussas as attendants the five men left Kilwa camp at about two hours
+before sunset.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+An hour and ten minutes' ride brought them to a native village where
+several lions had been terrorising the inhabitants by their nocturnal
+depredations.  Here the horses were left under the charge of one of the
+Haussas, and the party set out on foot into the bush.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Think we'll have any luck, MacGregor?" asked Laxdale.  "Hanged if I
+want to spend all night lugging a rifle about without the chance of a
+shot."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Rhodesian smiled dourly.  He knew the supreme optimism of amateur
+huntsmen and the general disinclination of the King of Beasts to be
+holed by a bullet.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Unless a lion is ravenously hungry he will not put in an appearance,"
+he replied.  "Of course we might strike his spoor and follow him up.
+We'll see what luck we get when the moon rises."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+For some distance the party travelled in silence.  With the darkness a
+halt was called, for until the bush was flooded with the strong
+moonlight further progress was almost impossible.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Away on the right, at not so very great a distance, came the bleat of a
+goat, while further away still could be heard the awe-inspiring roar of
+the lions after their prey.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hanged if I like the idea of those huge brutes leaping right upon us,"
+whispered Spofforth.  "I, being the tallest of the crush, will be sure
+to bear the brunt of his leap."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Spofforth was the giant of the battalion, standing six feet four inches
+in his socks, and proportionately broad of shoulder and massive of
+limb.  At the last regimental sports he carried off the running,
+long-jump and hurdle events, while as a boxer and a wrestler he was a
+match for most men, yet he expressed his fears with all sincerity,
+inwardly wishing for the rising of the moon.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Haussas, too, were far from comfortable.  Had they their wish they
+would have lighted a roaring fire, one of the most effective though not
+infallible means of keeping wild animals at bay.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The fifty minutes' halt in the desolate bush terminated when the deep
+orange-hued orb of night rose above the distant sea.  As the shadows
+shortened the trek was resumed, each man keeping his loaded rifle ready
+for instant use.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Before they had gone two hundred yards, following a native path on
+which the spoor of a couple of lions was distinctly visible, Laxdale
+suddenly disappeared, while Wilmshurst, who was walking hard on his
+heels, was only just able to save himself from following his example.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Followed a great commotion in which the luckless subaltern's shouts
+mingled with the terrified bleating of a goat.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Help us out, you fellows," cried Laxdale in desperation.  "I've a
+whole menagerie for company by the feel of it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You'll scare every lion within five miles of us, laddie," expostulated
+MacGregor, kneeling at the edge of the pitfall and peering into the
+darkness within.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With the assistance of his electric torch Wilmshurst made the discovery
+that the trap was a hole of about twelve feet in depth and about the
+same distance in length.  In breadth it overlapped the path, its
+presence being skilfully concealed by branches of trees overlaid with
+broad leaves on which earth had been thrown and lightly pressed so as
+to give it the appearance of part of the beaten track.  In the floor of
+the pit pointed stakes had been driven, but fortunately Laxdale had
+fallen between them and thus escaped being impaled.  His sole companion
+was a goat that, left without food and water, was to act as a decoy to
+the lions.  Evidently the pitfall had been recently dug, otherwise the
+spoor of the beasts would not be visible on both sides of it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Dash the villagers!" exclaimed Spofforth impetuously.  "Why the deuce
+didn't the headsman give us warning of the beastly trap?  Here, Beta
+Moshi, cut a couple of young trees and knock up a ladder.  Cheer-o,
+Laxdale, dear boy.  Just try and imagine you've found the better 'ole."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Imagination goes a long way," retaliated the imprisoned sub., "but you
+just jump down and put your suggestion to the practical test.  I
+believe I'm being chawn up by white ants, and I'm certain that the
+jiggers are already tackling my toes."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Promptly Bela Moshi set the Haussas to work, and a rough-and-ready
+ladder having been constructed, Laxdale, little the worse for his
+unexpected tumble, was released from the pitfall.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The journey was resumed.  Contrary to MacGregor's assertion the lions
+had not been frightened away, for their deep, characteristic roar could
+be heard with greater distinctness than before, although they were a
+good distance away.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+MacGregor looked like proving a true prophet, however, for after
+following a fresh spoor for miles the hunters drew blank.  At the edge
+of a pool of stagnant water the tracks ended abruptly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I don't fancy that water-hole," said Wilmshurst.  "It savours of
+mosquitoes and other pests.  How goes the time?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Danvers consulted his wristlet watch.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nearly four o'clock," he announced.  "If we are to be in camp by eight
+we'll have to look slippy."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A rustling sound in the grass within a few yards of the spot where the
+hunters were standing attracted their attention.  With rifles ready to
+open fire they waited.  They could see the coarse tufts waving in the
+moonlight.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Stand by!" exclaimed Wilmshurst, handing his rifle to Bela Moshi, and
+before his companions could grasp the situation the subaltern plunged
+into the grass, made a sudden dash, and was back with a healthy young
+lion cub in his arms.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We've bagged something, at all events," he remarked triumphantly.
+"The little beggar got adrift, I suppose."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What are you going to do with it, old man?" asked Spofforth
+facetiously.  "Use it as a decoy or train it to guard your kit in camp?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Just as likely as not the cub will act as a decoy," said Laxdale.
+"Let the little brute yap a bit."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"He's yapping quite enough as it is," rejoined Wilmshurst.  "Hanged if
+we can hear anything with that noise.  I hope you fellows are keeping
+on the alert?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"MacGregor's doing that," replied Danvers, indicating the silent form
+of the Rhodesian, as he stood motionless as a statue, with his rifle
+ready for instant use.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hear anything, MacGregor?" enquired Spofforth.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The man shook his head.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Thought I did," he replied, "but I must have been mistaken."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Giving the cub into the care of Bela Moshi, Wilmshurst followed his
+companions as they tramped in single file along the narrow bush track,
+the Haussas tailing on to the end of the procession.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The edge of the bush was almost reached when Laxdale, with a splendid
+shot at a hundred and twenty yards, brought down a large panther.  A
+halt was made while the blacks skinned the dead beast, for in
+practically waterless districts panther-skin is a valuable aid to the
+efficiency of a Maxim gun.  Soaked in water, wrapped round the jacket
+of the weapon, the evaporation keeps the gun cooler for a longer time
+than if the water within the jacket alone were used.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Upon coming within sight of the camp the white men were able to walk
+side by side in comparatively open country.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+MacGregor, Laxdale, and Danvers were on ahead, Spofforth and Wilmshurst
+about fifty paces behind, Bela Moshi with the cub was close on Dudley's
+heels, while the Haussas with the dead panther were some distance in
+the rear, the blacks carrying the officers' rifles since the hunters
+were clear of the bush.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'll take the cub," said Wilmshurst, noticing that the native sergeant
+was stumbling frequently as he carefully nursed the somewhat fretful
+animal.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Berry good, sah," replied Bela Moshi, handing the cub to the
+subaltern.  "I tink, sah, dat&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A chorus of yells and warning shouts from the Haussas made the officers
+turn pretty sharply.  What they saw was something that they had badly
+wanted to see but at the present moment had not the faintest desire to
+meet.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Leaping with prodigious bounds across the flat ground was an enormous
+lioness.  The devoted beast had followed her cub for miles, her
+instinct telling her that when the men halted her opportunity would
+come to recover the little animal.  A lioness bereft of her cubs has
+been known to follow hunters for days in order either to recover or
+revenge her offspring.  The sight of the large camp, however, must have
+incited the gigantic feline to premature action.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Of the five white men only MacGregor retained his rifle.  Laxdale and
+Danvers took to their heels, making for a large baobab that stood about
+fifty yards away.  Strange to relate, MacGregor followed suit,
+thrusting a clip of cartridges into the magazine of his rifle as he
+ran.  Wilmshurst, hampered by the cub, stood stock still, fascinated by
+the awesome sight of the approaching lioness.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Ten yards in front of Wilmshurst stood Spofforth, swaying gently on his
+toes, his bulky figure thrown slightly forward and his arms
+outstretched.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Run for it!" he exclaimed in a high-pitched, unnatural voice, but
+without turning his head.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Wilmshurst disobeyed&mdash;for one thing he was unable to tear himself away;
+his feet seemed rooted to the ground.  For another, a sense of
+camaraderie urged him to remain an impassive spectator of the impending
+struggle between an unarmed man, who had voluntarily interposed his big
+bulk between the hampered subaltern and the infuriated animal.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The lioness, roaring loudly, leapt.  Spofforth closed just as her
+forepaws touched the ground, and the next instant man and beast were
+engaged in a terrible struggle.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The powerful officer clutched the lioness just below the jaws with both
+hands, holding her in a vice-like grip.  With his feet dug firmly, into
+the ground he held, swaying to and fro but not giving an inch while the
+cruel talons of the ferocious beast were lacerating his arms from
+shoulder to wrist.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Exerting every ounce of strength Spofforth bore down, striving to
+fracture the terrible jaws.  Once the lioness succeeded in dealing him
+a blow with her paw that, but for the protection afforded by his double
+pith helmet would have brained the man.  For a few seconds Spofforth
+reeled, his head-gear fell to the ground, leaving his skull unprotected
+should the lioness repeat the terrifically powerful stroke; yet not for
+a moment did his grip release.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Through an eddying cloud of dust raised by the struggle Wilmshurst
+watched the unequal conflict, until his will-power overcoming the
+initial stages of hypnotic impotence, he threw the cub to the ground
+and drew his knife.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With a sensation akin to that of a mild-tempered individual who essays
+with his bare hands to separate two large and ferocious dogs engaged in
+combat Wilmshurst edged towards the flank of the lioness with the
+intention of hamstringing the tensioned sinews of her hind legs.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Before he could deliver the stroke Bela Moshi grasped his officer by
+the shoulders and unceremoniously jerked him aside; then lifting a
+rifle to his shoulders the Haussa sergeant pressed the trigger.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Down in a convulsive heap fell Spofforth and the lioness, the brute
+frantically pawing both her antagonist and the dust in her death
+agonies.  Then with a sharp shudder the animal stretched herself and
+died, while the subaltern, utterly exhausted, lay inertly upon the
+ground, his rent sleeve stained with still spreading dark patches.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+By that time Laxdale and Danvers were upon the scene.  Temporary
+bandages were applied to Spofforth's ugly-looking wounds, while the
+greatly concerned Haussas improvised a litter made of rifles and coats.
+Upon this the badly-mauled subaltern was placed and the journey resumed
+towards the camp, the dead lioness and her very much alive cub being
+carried in as trophies of the night's work.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Where's MacGregor?" asked Wilmshurst.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Laxdale and Danvers exchanged enquiring glances.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hanged if I know," said the former.  "The last I saw of him was when
+he was making for the baobab.  We were a set of blighters scooting off
+and leaving old Spofforth to act like a modern Horatius."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+All three subalterns knew that the Rhodesian was the only man on the
+spot who had a rifle ready, yet generously they forbore to give
+expression to their thoughts.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"See if you can find Mr. MacGregor," ordered Wilmshurst, addressing
+Bela Moshi.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Me go, sah," replied the sergeant, and promptly he set off towards the
+baobab, keeping his eyes fixed upon the ground.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Arriving at the tree Bela Moshi rested his rifle against the trunk and
+with the agility of a cat swarmed up to one of the lowermost branches.
+Both Laxdale and Danvers could see that it was a different part of the
+tree from that in which they had taken refuge.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Crouching on the enormous limb Bela Moshi remained motionless for a few
+moments&mdash;a patch of huddled black and khaki hardly distinguishable from
+the sun-baked bark.  Then he dropped lightly to the ground and by a
+movement of his arms signalled to some of the Haussas to approach.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"By Jove, Bela Moshi's found him!" exclaimed Danvers, and the three
+subalterns hurried to the spot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was MacGregor they saw, lying face downwards on a bed of dried
+grass.  The Rhodesian was unconscious, but on examination no trace of
+an injury could be found.  In his panic he had succeeded in climbing
+the tree as far as the lowermost branch and had been seized with a
+sudden faintness.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+While the three officers were bending over him MacGregor opened his
+eyes.  Gradually their haunted expression gave place to a look of
+bewilderment, until he realised that he was surrounded by friends.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"By smoke!" he ejaculated.  "I had cold feet with a vengeance&mdash;and
+before a lot of niggers, too."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"So did we&mdash;that is, Danvers and I were in a mortal hurry to get out of
+the way of the lioness," rejoined Laxdale.  "Good old Spofforth bore
+the brunt of it, and he's badly mauled."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Is that so?" asked MacGregor.  "I am sorry.  It's a bad beginning,
+this running away business.  I only hope the colonel and the others
+won't take it badly."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Don't worry, old chap," said Danvers.  "Feeling fit to foot it?  Good.
+We've got to get Spofforth back as quickly as possible."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Walking with difficulty MacGregor managed to keep pace with the three
+officers, and presently the rough-and-ready stretcher was overtaken.
+Upon arriving at the camp the medical staff were soon busy, with the
+result that the wounds of the injured hunter were properly dressed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not so serious as at first sight," declared the senior medical
+officer.  "Unless complications set in he'll be fit in a month, but
+he'll carry the scars all his life."
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap05"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER V
+</H3>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+HOW THE KOPJE WAS STORMED
+</H4>
+
+<P>
+A few days later the battalion left Kilwa for the scene of action, a
+strong force of Germans being located by seaplane reconnaissance twenty
+miles north of the Rovuma River and nearly four times that distance
+from the coast.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Acting in conjunction with three battalions of the Waffs were a mounted
+Boer contingent and a Punjabi regiment that had already done good
+service in the northern part of the hostile colony, while three
+seaplanes were "attached" to the expedition for reconnoitring purposes.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In high spirits the Waffs marched out of camp, eager for the chance of
+a scrap.  The only malcontents were half-a-dozen hospital cases who
+perforce had to be left behind; amongst them, to his great disgust,
+Second Lieutenant Spofforth, who though convalescent was unable to
+bluff the doctor that his arm was "quite all right&mdash;doesn't
+inconvenience me in the least, don't you know."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At the end of four days' hard marching through scrubby grounds the
+troops began to climb the almost trackless hinterland, where water was
+scarce and vegetation scanty.  It was much of the same nature as the
+veldt in the dry season, kopjes being plentifully in evidence.  There
+were unpleasant traces of Fritz and his native auxiliaries, for several
+of the springs had been systematically poisoned and
+cunningly-constructed booby-traps were frequently encountered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Nevertheless all arms were sanguine of bringing the Huns to bay.
+Strong Belgian forces operating from the westward were driving the
+enemy towards the advancing British, while across the Rovuma Portuguese
+troops, well supplied with light field-artillery, were considered a bar
+to any attempted "break-through" on the southern frontier.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Towards evening scouts reported the "spoor" of the enemy, for the
+ground bore the impression of thousands of naked footprints and those
+of about a hundred booted men.  A strong force of German Askaris,
+supported by a "white" body of troops with machine guns and mule
+batteries, were retiring in a north-westerly direction, while a small
+detachment had broken off and was making almost north-east.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was against the latter party that the Nth Waffs were to operate,
+since it was recognised that a small, mobile, and determined body of
+the enemy would give almost if not quite as much trouble as a large and
+consequently more cumbersome force hampered with guns in a difficult
+country.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hullo!" exclaimed Wilmshurst, as a couple of Haussa scouts hurriedly
+and stealthily rejoined the advance guard.  "Tarry Barrel and Spot Cash
+have tumbled upon something."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hun he lib for stop, sah," reported Tari Barl.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Stopping to make fight?" asked the subaltern eagerly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Haussa shook his head, and moved his jaw after the manner of a
+person eating.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Lib for stop for grub," he exclaimed.  "After that on him go."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"How far?" demanded Wilmshurst.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Tari Barl indicated that the scouts had followed two distinct spoors
+for more than a couple of miles without actually sighting any of the
+retiring enemy.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Acting upon this information the advance guard marched into the ground
+on which the Huns had recently halted.  Examination of the refuse and
+other traces revealed the fact that the enemy had been there but a few
+hours previously, for the ashes of the extinguished fires were still
+hot.  That the march had been resumed in a leisurely manner, showing
+that as yet the hostile detachment was unaware of the close pursuit,
+was evident by the systematic way in which the fires had been put out
+and earth thrown lightly over the embers.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We'll halt just beyond this spot," decided the company major, when the
+rest of the four platoons joined the advance guard.  "Hanged if I fancy
+bivouacking on the site of a Boche camp.  What do you think of the
+fresh spoors, MacGregor?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's the principal line of retreat, I think," replied the Rhodesian.
+"They can't go very much farther, for it will be pitch black in twenty
+minutes."'
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Just so," agreed the major.  "Set the men to work, Mr. Wilmshurst.
+Mr. Laxdale, you will please send a runner to the colonel and tell him
+that we've proposed bivouacking here till dawn."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Until it was quite dark the Haussas toiled, building sangars and
+constructing light connecting trenches with abattis of sharp thorns
+sufficient to deter and hold up a rush of bare-footed Askaris, since
+there was no knowing that after all the enemy had been informed of the
+presence of the pursuing column.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In silence the men ate their rations, no fires being allowed, and
+sentries to outlying piquets having been posted, the troops slept
+beside their piled arms.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What do you think of our chance of overtaking the bounders?" enquired
+Wilmshurst of MacGregor, as the former prepared to visit the sentries.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We ought to surprise them just after dawn," replied the Rhodesian.
+"I'm just off to see the major and get his permission to try and
+discover their position."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But it's pitch dark," remarked Dudley.  "You couldn't see your hand in
+front of your face.  Man, you'd be bushed for a dead cert."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I don't know so much about that," replied MacGregor confidently.  "The
+fellows up at Umfuli often used to chaff me, saying that I had eyes
+like a cat.  Believe I have.  At any rate I'll risk it, and if I'm not
+back an hour before dawn my name's not MacGregor."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Let me know if the major agrees," said Wilmshurst.  "I don't want my
+sentries to take pot shots at you when you return&mdash;and they are all
+jolly good marksmen," he added in a tone of pride, for he had good
+reason to pin his faith upon the Haussas' accuracy with a rifle.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was not long before MacGregor returned.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Fixed it up all right," he announced, "and now I'm off.  If, just
+before dawn, you hear the cry of a gnu you'll know it's this johnny
+returning, so please keep the sentries well in hand."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The subaltern accompanied the Rhodesian past the alert sentries; then,
+with Wilmshurst's good wishes for the best of luck, MacGregor vanished
+into the night.  In vain the young officer strained his ears to catch
+the faint noise of the Rhodesian's footsteps or the crackle of a dry
+twig under the pressure of his boot, but not a sound did the scout give
+of his progress.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hanged if I'd like to take on his job," soliloquised Dudley, as he
+slowly felt his way to the next pair of sentries.  "I'd have a shot at
+it if I were told off for it, of course, but this darkness seems to
+have weight&mdash;to press upon a fellow's eyes.  S'pose it'll end in having
+to send out parties to bring the fellow in."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Truth to tell, Wilmshurst was not particularly keen on his brother's
+chum.  Why, he could hardly explain.  It might have had something to do
+with MacGregor's conduct when the lioness charged.  But since then the
+Rhodesian had shown considerable pluck and grit, and his voluntary
+offer to plunge into the bush on a pitch dark night was a great factor
+in his favour, in Dudley's opinion.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The subaltern's soliloquy was cut short by the dull glint of steel
+within a few inches of his chest&mdash;even in the darkness all bayonets
+seem to possess self-contained luminosity&mdash;and a voice hissed, "Who
+come?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Reassuring the sentries&mdash;there were two at each post&mdash;Wilmshurst
+received the report that everything was all correct.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Macgreg, him go," declared one of the Haussas, Macgreg being the name
+by which the Rhodesian was known to the black troops.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Wilmshurst was astonished.  He had heard nothing of the scout's
+movements, yet the sentry, fifty yards away, had declared quite blandly
+that MacGregor had passed the outlying post.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"How do you know that, Brass Pot?" asked the subaltern.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Haussa chuckled audibly, and holding his rifle obliquely with the
+bayonet thrust into the ground, placed his ear to the butt.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Macgreg him go and go," he answered, meaning that the Rhodesian was
+still on the move.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In vain Wilmshurst tested the sound-conducting properties of the rifle.
+Normally of good hearing he failed to detect what to Private Brass Pot
+was an accepted and irrefutable fact.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Very good," said the subaltern, without admitting his failure.  "If
+you hear foot of Macgreg come this way before sergeant come for reliefs
+then you send and tell me.  Savvy?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Berry good, sah," replied the Haussa.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Having twice visited the sentries Wilmshurst returned to the bivouac to
+snatch a few hours' sleep.  It seemed as if he had only just dozed off
+when he was awakened by Sergeant Beta Moshi, who informed him that the
+men were already standing to and that the brief tropical dawn was
+stealing across the sky.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Has Macgreg returned, Bela Moshi?" asked Wilmshurst, stretching his
+cramped limbs, for he had not removed his boots during the last
+forty-eight hours, and with the exception of a brief interval had been
+on his feet practically the whole of that time.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"MacGregor?" exclaimed Laxdale, who happened to overhear his
+brother-officer's question.  "Yes&mdash;rather.  It seems that he struck our
+main camp about an hour or so ago.  The colonel's sent to say that we
+are to attempt an enveloping movement.  The Boches are in force on a
+kopje about five miles on our right front&mdash;about eight hundred of 'em
+according to MacGregor's report."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's good," declared Wilmshurst.  All the same he felt rather
+sceptical.  The spoor of the right-hand column of the retiring Huns
+hardly bore out the Rhodesian's statement, but evidently the scout knew
+his business.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Is MacGregor accompanying us?" he asked, as the three subalterns
+prepared to rejoin their respective platoons.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Fancy not," replied Danvers.  "He's pretty well done up, I imagine.
+The scrub's a bit thick out there, and a fellow can't crawl far without
+picking up a few thorns.  Plucky blighter, what?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A" Company was to work round to the right of the hostile position, "B"
+operating to the left, both having two hours' start of the remainder of
+the battalion, which was to deliver a frontal attack simultaneously
+with the flanking movement.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With the night-mists still hanging in dense patches over the scrub
+tactics were resumed.  Wilmshurst had good reason to be delighted with
+his men as the scouts and advance guards slipped off to their detailed
+positions.  At a hundred yards they were lost to sight and sound,
+threading their way with the utmost caution through the long grass like
+experienced hunters stalking their prey, while the various units kept
+well in touch with each other by means of reliable runners.  Other
+methods of communication were out of the question.  Flag-waving and
+heliograph would have "given the show away" with the utmost certainty.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+All feelings of physical tiredness vanishing under the magic spell of
+impending action, Wilmshurst led his extended platoon toward their
+allotted positions.  It was slow work.  The ground was difficult; every
+spot likely to afford concealment to a hostile sniper had to be
+carefully examined.  The absence of bird life was ominous.  It meant
+that either the returning Huns had disturbed the feathered denizens or
+else the advance of the Haussas had driven them over the enemy
+position, in which case the wily Hun would "smell a rat."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was noon before Wilmshurst gained his preliminary objective.  The
+tropical sun was beating down with terrific violence, the scrub
+offering scant shelter from its scorching rays.  Already the
+previously-dew-sodden ground was baked stone-hard, the radiating heat
+imparting an appearance of motion to every object within sight.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Literally stewing, the subaltern threw himself flat on the ground under
+the slight shadow of a dried thorn bush, and waited, at intervals
+sweeping the bare outlines of the kopje with his prismatic glasses.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Thirty long drawn-out minutes passed.  According to plan the enveloping
+movement ought to have been completed an hour ago, but not a sign was
+given that "B" Company had arrived at their position&mdash;a sun-baked donga
+at a distance of fifteen hundred yards behind the kopje.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Up crept Bela Moshi, his ebony features distended in a most cheerful
+looking grin.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hun him lib for sit down, sah!" he reported.  "Five Bosh-bosh (his
+rendering of the word Boche) an' heap Askari&mdash;say so many."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He opened and closed his fingers of both hands four times, meaning that
+the hostile post consisted of five Germans and forty native troops.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"They saw you?" asked the subaltern.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Dem no look," replied the sergeant.  "Too much busy make eat."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"How far away?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"One tousand yards, sah," declared Bela Moshi.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Writing his report on a leaf of his pocketbook Wilmshurst gave the
+paper to Tari Barl with instructions to deliver it to the company
+commander.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Quickly the major's reply was received.  The hostile post was to be
+surrounded, but no action taken until the order was given for the
+concentrated rush upon the Huns holding the kopje.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As rapidly as due caution allowed the enveloping of the outpost was
+completed.  From his new position, less than four hundred yards from
+the spot where the unsuspecting Huns were bivouacking, Wilmshurst could
+keep them under close observation.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Three of the Germans were middle-aged men, bearded, swarthy, and
+dressed in coffee-coloured cotton uniform, sun helmets and gum boots.
+The other two were quite young men, whose attention, despite the heat,
+was mainly directed towards the Askaris.  Evidently some of the stores
+had gone adrift, for the young Huns were browbeating a number of
+natives, punctuating their forcible remarks by liberal applications of
+their schamboks, while their elders looked on in stolid but unqualified
+approval.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Dem make for one-time good shot, sah!" whispered Bela Moshi, calmly
+setting the backsight of his rifle.  "Blow Bosh-bosh him head-bone
+inside out an' him not know anyting."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Go steady, Bela Moshi," cautioned the subaltern.  "Pass the word for
+the men to fire one volley over their heads&mdash;but not before I give
+orders&mdash;and then rush them with the bayonet.  We want them alive,
+remember."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A whistle rang out faintly away on the left.  The call was repeated
+much nearer, while distinct blasts rose through the heated air.  It was
+the signal for the advance.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Almost as soon as Wilmshurst put his whistle to his lips a crisp volley
+from the rifles of his platoon rent the welkin, then with fierce shouts
+the khaki-clad, barefooted Waffs leapt to their feet, their bayonets
+glittering in the sun.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At first, too utterly astonished to realise that they were hopelessly
+trapped and outnumbered, the Huns stood stock still, gazing stupidly at
+the converging ring of steel.  The Askaris for the most part attempted
+to bolt, but finding their retreat cut off, grovelled in the dust.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hands up!" shouted Wilmshurst.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The three bearded Huns obeyed promptly and meekly.  Of the others one
+held up his arms with sullen reluctance, his flabby face distorted with
+rage.  The fifth, dropping on one knee, picked up a rifle and levelled
+it at the on-rushing British officer.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The fellow's showing pluck, by Jove!" was the thought that flashed
+through Dudley's mind.  Like all brave men he admired courage even in a
+foe.  The fact that running over rough ground and firing a revolver at
+fifty yards did not give him much chance against a steadily held rifle
+entered into his calculations.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Before the Hun could press trigger a score of rifles spoke.  The Waffs,
+on seeing their young officer's danger, took no chances, and the
+German, his head and chest riddled with bullets, toppled over stone
+dead upon the ground.  As he fell his fingers closed convulsively
+against the trigger of his rifle and the bullet intended for Wilmshurst
+sung past the subaltern's left ear.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A loud yell from the other young Hun proclaimed the fact that he, too,
+was hit.  A bullet fired at the resisting German had been deflected,
+passing through the fleshy part of his comrade's left arm.  It was hard
+luck on a surrendered prisoner, but on these occasions luck, both good
+and bad, crops up at every available opportunity.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sorry, Fritz," exclaimed Wilmshurst apologetically.  "Accident, you
+know."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There was no time for explanation.  Directing a Haussa to attend to the
+Hun's injury and ordering others to round up and disarm the prisoners
+Wilmshurst hurried his men to the storming of the kopje.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+On all sides the Waffs were climbing the slopes, yelling and cheering
+vociferously, but not an answering shout came from the rocky summit.
+It required enormous restraint on the part of the foe to withhold their
+fire, while already the Haussas had passed the zone where a volley at
+comparatively short range would have played havoc with them.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The silence on the part of the enemy seemed incomprehensible unless,
+not having sufficient numbers to hold the edges of the flat-topped hill
+they had concentrated at one spot, where with machine-guns they could
+rake the skyline as the Waffs breasted the top.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Over the position the exultant troops poured, the one fly in the
+ointment being the fact that their rush had met with no resistance.  In
+extended order they re-formed and dashed across the plateau&mdash;a rapidly
+contracting line of khaki tipped with steel.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Almost in the centre of the top of the kopje was an irregular mound of
+piled rocks and earth.  Towards this the Waffs charged, their officers
+momentarily expecting the rattle of musketry and the tic-tac of
+machine-guns.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Without resistance the Waffs bore on, overran the supposed earthworks
+and found&mdash;nothing.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There were not even traces of Hun occupation.  The enemy had got clear
+away with the exception of the small post rushed by Wilmshurst's
+platoon.  By an evident error of judgment on the part of MacGregor&mdash;a
+non-existent position had been the object of the column's attention,
+and although the operations were not entirely futile officers and men
+realised that they had experienced a great disappointment.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Descending the kopje the Waffs fell in, having secured their prisoners
+under a strong escort.  The order to march was about to be given when
+the distant rattle of musketry was distinctly heard.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The colonel looked at the senior major enquiringly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A raiding crush, sir," replied the latter to the unspoken question.
+"While we've been on a wild goose chase Fritz is raiding our camp."
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap06"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER VI
+</H3>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+THE WARNING SHOT
+</H4>
+
+<P>
+Nobly the sorely-tried Waffs rose to the occasion.  Notwithstanding
+their arduous advance and its meagre results they eagerly hastened to
+meet the new danger, knowing that with the destruction of their baggage
+and transport and their lines of communication cut they would be in a
+serious position in the almost waterless scrub.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+They required little urging, the officers' words of encouragement being
+quite perfunctory although well-intentioned.  In open order with
+flankers thrown out the Waffs hurried through the bush, the sound of
+continuous rifle-fire growing louder and louder.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Button's holding out all right," declared the company-major to
+Wilmshurst, referring to the lieutenant left in charge of the camp.
+"He has MacGregor and young Vipont to back him up and twenty-five
+Haussas.  Hullo, what's that?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"German machine-guns, sir," replied Wilmshurst promptly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, worse luck," resumed the major.  "We've been running after the
+shadow and the substance butts in during our absence."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+An orderly came dashing up with a written message.  The major's face
+fell as he read it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We're out of it again, Wilmshurst," he remarked, after the runner had
+been sent back with a confirmatory report.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"How's that, sir?" asked the subaltern.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Orders from the colonel for 'A' Company to hold the position shown on
+the attached map, and to cut off the retreat of the enemy.  Here we
+are: see this kloof?  Three platoons are to lie in ambush at that spot,
+another&mdash;yours, Mr. Wilmshurst&mdash;will take up a position two miles to
+the north-west, in case any stragglers attempt to break through the
+smaller defile shown on the map.  It looks nothing more than a native
+path.  We'll find that out later on."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At the word of command "A" Company halted until the rest of the
+battalion was almost out of sight.  Then the detachment, moving to the
+right in column of fours, marched at a rapid pace along a comparatively
+clear path through the scrub.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+When the three platoons had taken up their position at the indicated
+spot Wilmshurst's platoon had still a distance of two miles to
+cover&mdash;and that two miles was the roughest part of the whole day's
+march.  It was a disused track possibly dating back to the old days
+when the Arab slave-raiders traversed the greater part of Central
+Africa in search of "black ivory," and was now greatly overgrown by
+cacti and other fibrous plants.  Here and there palm trees had fallen
+completely across the path, while in no part was it more than a yard in
+breadth, being hedged in on both sides by dense tropical vegetation.
+And yet the track was distinctly marked upon the German-compiled maps
+with which the British troops were working.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was hardly a route that any European under ordinary circumstances
+would tackle under the glaring heat of the afternoon's sun.
+Mosquitoes&mdash;harbingers of malaria&mdash;and fire-flies buzzed in swarms,
+snakes and lizards, their hitherto undisturbed solitude rudely shaken
+by the stealthy patter of three score pairs of bare feet, wriggled
+across the swampy ground, while overhead thousands of frightened birds
+flew in large circles, chattering the while in a way that would alarm
+every Boche within a radius of three miles.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A mile and a half of this sort of marching&mdash;the Haussas were in single
+file&mdash;and the platoon emerged into a wider track running obliquely
+across the path they had taken.  Halting his men Wilmshurst, assisted
+by Sergeant Bela Moshi, examined the ground.  There were evidences that
+a number of European and native troops had passed, going in the
+opposite direction to the Waffs' bivouac, while what was somewhat
+remarkable there were more recent tracks of a horse's hoofs.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Him am gov'ment horse, sah," declared the sergeant.  "Him lib for go
+plenty fast no time," meaning that the animal was a British Army mount
+(this from the peculiar shape of the horse-shoe prints) and had passed
+by quite recently.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Probably Sutton dispatched a mounted orderly to summon help," thought
+Wilmshurst.  "In that case the fellow's taken the wrong track.  He'll
+be back shortly.  Hope it will be before Fritz ambles along here&mdash;if
+it's our luck that the Huns do retire this way."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Two hundred yards further on the scrub became quite scanty in a wide
+belt that terminated in a low range of hills.  The slopes of the rising
+ground were fairly steep except at a gap in the centre, where a deep
+ravine had been utilized by the makers of the road.  It was an ideal
+spot for an ambuscade.  Sheltering behind the cacti that abundantly
+covered the hill the Haussas could extend on a fairly broad front, and
+concentrate a heavy fire upon any enemy retiring along the path.  The
+maxim on its tripod mounting was set up to enable it to sweep the
+expected column with an oblique fire, its panther-skin encased
+water-jacket being camouflaged by foliage carefully placed so as not to
+obstruct the sights.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Hardly were these preparations completed when, with a terrific roar and
+a tremendous cloud of dust, an explosive missile burst within two
+hundred yards of the platoon's position.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Dash it all!" ejaculated Wilmshurst.  "That's a thundering big shell.
+Keep down, men."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Haussas in natural and childlike curiosity were craning their necks
+to see the unexpected sight.  Just then a loud buzzing sound came from
+immediately overhead.  At the risk of being blinded by the terrific
+glare the subaltern glanced aloft to see a large seaplane that, having
+completed a long volplane, had restarted its engine.  By the
+conspicuous marks on the wings and fuselage Wilmshurst made the
+disconcerting discovery that the aircraft was a British machine, and
+that it was diligently engaged in attempting to bomb the Waffs out of
+existence under the mistaken idea that they were an enemy patrol.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's done it!" muttered Wilmshurst.  "The silly joker has put the
+kybosh on our chances of surprising the Boches.  Lucky if we escape
+being hit with some of the infernal eggs!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With difficulty restraining the Haussas from opening fire, for they
+would not be convinced that the "great buzz-bird" could possibly make a
+mistake, and that it must be a Boche machine, Dudley awaited
+developments, watching with decided apprehension the seaplane circling
+to take up a favourable position for another bomb-dropping effort.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The second missile burst in a donga a hundred yards to the rear of the
+Haussas' line, while a few seconds later a third exploded at half that
+distance again on the Waffs' flank.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Wilmshurst was now sarcastically interested.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If you can't do better than that, old son," he chuckled, "you'd better
+hook it.  My word, if ever I meet you on terra firma, I won't forget to
+chip you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The ineffectual strafing continued for nearly a quarter of an hour.  At
+the end of that time the airmen, either discovering their mistake or
+else having been called up by wireless to attack more numerous forces,
+desisted from their present operations.  Banking steeply the seaplane
+bore away rapidly in a south-easterly direction, and was soon a mere
+speck in the azure sky.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Followed a long period of inaction on the part of the Haussas.  Scarce
+daring to move lest a keen-eyed Askari should detect their presence,
+the Waffs hugged the sun-baked earth until the lengthening shadows
+warned them of the approach of night.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The distant firing had passed from rapid volleys through desultory
+exchange of shots to a complete cessation.  The rest of "A" Company
+were not engaged, so it appeared to the still hopeful Haussas that
+their foes had effected a retreat in a different direction from that
+expected.  With the fall of night a large hostile detachment might
+easily slip through the scantily-held lines, and that accounted for the
+uneasy glances that the Waffs gave at the declining orb of day.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hist, sah!" exclaimed Beta Moshi.  "Dey come."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With every sense keenly on the alert Wilmshurst strove to detect the
+approach of the foe.  Already the men had slipped clips of cartridges
+into the magazines of their rifles, and, the exact range being known,
+had set sights to eight hundred yards, at which distance the retiring
+Huns would be on slightly-sloping ground practically destitute of cover.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A cloud of dust rising sullenly in the still air marked the approach of
+the column.  The Huns were moving rapidly, although there were no
+sounds to indicate that they were fighting a rear-guard action, while
+there were no signs of any advance guard.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We've got them cold," exclaimed Wilmshurst, gleefully, then, "No. 1
+Section, volley firing, ready."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Suddenly a shot rang out away on the left front of the concealed
+Haussas.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Who the deuce fired that?" thought the subaltern angrily, vowing to
+make it hot for the luckless black who could not keep control over his
+itching trigger finger.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The mischief was done.  At the warning shot the retiring enemy stopped
+short almost in the jaws of the trap that awaited them; then at a hot
+pace they disappeared into the bush to be swallowed up in the rapidly
+deepening night.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Find out who fired that shot, sergeant," ordered Wilmshurst.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Bela Moshi's efforts were unavailing.  Even when the platoon was
+paraded and every man's rifle examined the culprit was not discovered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Jolly rummy," mused the subaltern.  "It's a dead cert that none of my
+men fired.  Some one did.  Why and for what reason?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Fired with anger at the futile ending to their tedious efforts the
+Haussas sent a deputation to the young officer offering to search the
+bush in the direction from which the shot came, for the men of the
+extreme left flank were emphatic in their belief that they heard the
+sounds of booted feet after the report.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Off you go, then," replied Wilmshurst.  "Hurry back if you hear the
+'Fall in.'"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The two men selected&mdash;Tari Barl and No Go&mdash;lost no time in starting
+upon their hazardous quest.  Armed only with their bayonets the Haussas
+vanished into the darkness.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Another period of tension ensued.  The tropical heat of the day gave
+place to intense cold as the parched earth rapidly radiated its heat.
+Presently the stars began to glimmer in the firmament, their brightness
+increasing to their full splendour of an African night.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Still no message came for the platoon to fall back upon the rest of "A"
+Company.  Vaguely Wilmshurst began to wonder whether the outlying Waffs
+had been overlooked.  Sixty hours of almost continuous and strenuous
+work were beginning to tell.  Most of the Haussas, utterly worn out,
+were sleeping in easy yet undignified postures upon the ground, the
+only men keeping awake being Bela Moshi and the other section commander
+and sentries posted before Wilmshurst gave the word to stand easy.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Even the subaltern found his head drooping.  Half a dozen times he
+pulled himself together, only to realise that the overpowering desire
+for sleep had him firmly in its grip.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Suddenly the stillness was broken by the cautious challenge of one of
+the sentries.  Tari Barl and his companion were returning.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well?" exclaimed Wilmshurst interrogatively, as the stalwart blacks
+stood stiffly to attention.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Man him gone," declared Tari Barl, with the important air of a person
+making a momentous statement.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, I know that, Tarry Barrel," replied the subaltern impatiently.
+"Is that all?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Me find dis in bush, sah," continued the imperturbable Haussa, holding
+up a small, glittering object for his officer's inspection.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was a recently-fired rimmed cartridge-case.  Holding his electric
+torch to the base of the case he gave vent to an exclamation of
+perplexed surprise.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+For on it were cut the British Government broad arrow and the Roman
+numeral V., which showed that the cartridge was similar to those issued
+to the Waffs on leaving camp at Kilwa.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Treachery!" muttered Wilmshurst.  "I wonder&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap07"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER VII
+</H3>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+A TRUE MAN OR A TRAITOR?
+</H4>
+
+<P>
+It was in the early hours of the morning when "A" Company marched into
+bivouac.  The men dismissed, Wilmshurst wrote out his report, handed it
+in and promptly fell sound asleep.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The colonel, wisely deciding that little could be done with men worn
+out with sleeplessness and fatigue, issued orders that the pursuit
+would be abandoned until the Haussas had recovered their usual form.
+Meanwhile other columns were on the track of the raiders, who, but for
+the vigilance and dogged determination of Lieutenant Sutton, would have
+"wiped out" the Waffs' bivouac during the latter's wild-goose chase.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+For five hours the young officer, assisted by Second-lieutenant Vipont
+and a handful of Haussas, held the Huns at bay.  With rifle, bayonet
+and bomb the plucky sons of the Empire manned the frail defences, until
+the enemy, unable to achieve their objective, retired before the
+returning battalion could bring them to action.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hullo, Wilmshurst!" exclaimed Laxdale, as the three subalterns of "A"
+company met just before a belated breakfast.  "What happened to you?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A wash-out," replied Dudley.  "Held on till five this morning, and
+never a chance of a shot; or rather, when it came we were dished."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Heard the news?" asked Danvers.  "No?  We had it this morning.  The
+Huns have rushed a Portuguese position on the Rovuma.  The Portuguese
+skedaddled, leaving the whole battery of quick-firers intact.  I
+suppose it'll mean our chasing Fritz southward right through Portuguese
+East.  With luck we'll corner them on the Zambesi."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Guess you're wrong, Danvers," interrupted Laxdale.  "I know how the
+business is going to end; street fighting in Cape Town.  Fritz won't
+stand, so it's an everlasting chase until he's got the sea at his back."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Any one seen MacGregor this morning?" enquired Wilmshurst.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"MacGregor?  Didn't you find him?" asked Vipont, who had joined the
+group of tired-eyed subalterns.  "After the column left camp&mdash;about an
+hour and a half, I should say&mdash;he asked Sutton to let him try and
+overtake the battalion.  Said he didn't want to swing the lead with a
+mere scratch on his shin-bone.  So he mounted and rode off.  That's the
+last I saw of him."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"How long before the Huns attacked?" asked Danvers.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Three hours," replied Vipont.  "You don't suggest that a skilled scout
+blundered right on top of them?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not at all," his questioner hastened to assert.  "For one thing after
+he followed us he would be on a diverging route to that taken by Fritz
+&amp; Co.  What do you say, Wilmshurst?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dudley shook his head.  He had no particular cause either to like or
+dislike the man, but he hesitated to give definite utterance to his
+suspicions.  It was decidedly un-British to condemn a man before being
+sure of actual facts and to sow the seeds of distrust against an
+individual who was not present to defend himself.  But somehow the
+chain of events&mdash;the horse's footprints on the kloof road, the warning
+shot when the hitherto unsuspecting Huns were approaching the ambush,
+the mark V. cartridge case&mdash;all pointed to treachery on the part of
+some one, while MacGregor's disappearance coincided with the other
+points that had occurred to the subaltern.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"He may be bushed," he replied.  "It's just likely that he'll turn up
+again soon.  Has his absence been reported?  I'll mention it, if you
+like.  I have to see the adjutant in a few minutes."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Wilmshurst found the adjutant in his "office," which consisted of three
+walls of piled ammunition boxes, with a double covering of canvas.  The
+furniture was composed of a desk (an upturned packing-case) and a
+couple of chairs (smaller dittos) the former being littered with
+official forms and papers, for even in the wilds of Africa the British
+Army cannot dispense with red-tape formalities.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Mornin', Mr. Wilmshurst," was the adjutant's greeting as he returned
+the subaltern's salute.  "Want to see you with reference to that report
+of yours, don't you know.  Take a pew.  You'll find that case pretty
+comfortable, and come in out of the sun.  Look here: from your report I
+understand that a warning shot was fired, but not by any of ours.  Is
+that so?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Wilmshurst paused.  The adjutant was quick to notice his hesitation.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Come, come!" he continued sharply.  "Do you suspect any one?  If so,
+out with it.  We can't stand on sentiment in matters of this
+description, don't you know."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Are you aware, sir, that MacGregor left camp shortly after we left
+camp and has not returned?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hasn't he, by Jove!" exclaimed the adjutant.  "Well, what about it?
+Has that anything to do with the case in point?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I hope not, sir," answered the subaltern, "but&mdash;but&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Proceed," urged his questioner calmly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Wilmshurst, seeing no other course, boldly took his plunge, stating his
+views upon the connection between the scout's disappearance and the
+timely warning received by the retiring enemy, producing as evidence
+the rimmed cartridge case, which by reason of its shape and calibre
+could not be fired from a Mauser rifle.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Dash it all!" exclaimed the adjutant explosively.  "What sort of
+reptile have we been harbouring?  I'm afraid that what steps we take
+concerning him will be locking the stable door after the horse has
+gone."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We are working simply in conjecture, sir," observed the subaltern.
+"He may be all right, after all."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Conjecture, confound it!" shouted the other.  "What d'you call this?"
+holding up the cartridge case.  "If it isn't circumstantial evidence,
+what is?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At that moment an orderly put in an appearance.  "Macgreg him horse am
+come back, sah," he reported, saluting.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The adjutant, picking up a sheaf of papers and putting on his
+sun-helmet, hurried to the lines where the horses were picketed,
+Wilmshurst following and the orderly bringing up the rear.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Already news of MacGregor's disappearance had spread, although there
+was no thought of treachery in the minds of the other officers.  They
+had come to the conclusion that the Rhodesian in an access of zeal had
+blundered right into the enemy column.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The appearance of the horse bore out this surmise.  The animal was
+lathered with foam, its eyes bloodshot and its limbs trembling.  Across
+the hind quarters was the sear of a bullet that had cut away the hair
+and left a slight wound in the hide.  One stirrup was missing, cut
+through by means of a sharp implement, while the saddle and reins were
+dappled with blood-stains.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Bless my soul, Manners!" exclaimed the colonel turning to the
+adjutant.  "What does this mean?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Dunno, sir, I'm sure," answered the dum-founded officer.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We can't let the affair drop," decided the C.O.  "It's not fair on
+MacGregor to sit still.  Tell off a section and follow the horse's
+tracks.  Perhaps the man has been wounded&mdash;it looks very much like
+it&mdash;and may be lying out in the bush."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Promptly Bela Moshi and about a dozen men were dispatched to follow up
+the spoor.  Good trackers all, they ought to experience but little
+difficulty, notwithstanding the fact that hundreds of men had been
+trampling the ground, for the Haussas vie with the Australian
+aborigines and the Red Indian in the act of tracing a man or an animal
+for miles with uncanny skill and persistence.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Hardly had the Haussas departed on their errand when a couple of
+British naval officers literally staggered into the bivouac.  At first
+they were too utterly done up to speak.  They were parched with thirst,
+their drill uniforms torn in their long trek through the scrub, and
+their boots were cut almost to pieces.  One of them was limping badly
+as the result of a sprained ankle.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Under the care of Doctor Barclay the stragglers soon recovered
+sufficiently to give a coherent account of their misadventures.  They
+were the observer and pilot of one of the seaplanes attached to the
+Rovuma column, their base being close to a large sheet of water formed
+by the inundation of the river.  Out reconnoitring they had discovered
+a party of Huns and had bombed them very effectually.  That was their
+version, although Wilmshurst had good reason to believe that they were
+quite under a misapprehension on that score.  On the return flight the
+engine developed ignition troubles, and there was no help for it but to
+plane down.  The airmen were lucky in being able to find a fairly open
+stretch of ground, but the unexpected happened.  The floats of the
+seaplane skidded over the hard ground and caught against some
+obstruction, with the result that the machine was badly damaged, the
+pilot and observer being thrown violently.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Forty miles from their base the airmen realised that it was almost out
+of the question to make their way on foot through the scrub, especially
+as there were several small rivers to be negotiated.  So they decided
+to find the bivouac of the Waffs which they had spotted on their
+outward flight.  According to their estimate the distance was about
+eight miles, but in reality it was almost twice that distance.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Owing to the intense heat they were compelled to discard their
+overalls.  Their foot gear was totally inadequate against the thorns
+and stony ground.  Without water and with only a bar of chocolate
+between them they experienced terrible hardships before they sighted
+their temporary refuge.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Their chief anxiety was now the question whether the seaplane could be
+recovered.  On this score their minds were set at rest, when the
+colonel promised to send out a fatigue party to dismantle the machine
+and transport it to the banks of the Runkoma, a small stream
+sufficiently wide to allow the seaplane to taxi provided the floats
+were still intact.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You might take that job on, Mr. Wilmshurst," remarked his company
+commander.  "Your platoon will be just about sufficient to provide the
+necessary labour, and also a covering party, although I don't
+contemplate any trouble from the Huns.  We've just heard that Fritz has
+had a nasty smack at Motungba, which more than counterbalances his
+recent success against the Portuguese on the Rovuma."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The action to which the major referred was a brilliant little affair on
+the part of the main column operating in the Rovuma valley.  The Huns
+were found to be in a strong natural position, the defence of which was
+further increased by well-constructed trenches and entanglements.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Notwithstanding the difficulties of a frontal attack, a Punjabi
+regiment stormed the defences, the Indians making terrific havoc with
+bombs.  The Askaris broke and fled, the Germans alone putting up a
+fight until they were either killed or captured.  The native levies in
+their flight were overtaken and cut up by a squadron of colonial horse,
+and with slight loss the Imperial forces scored a dashing little
+victory, capturing four field guns and one naval gun removed from the
+cruiser <I>Konigsberg</I>, beside a vast quantity of arms and ammunition.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The result of this engagement was a junction with the gallant Belgian
+forces, the Huns being split up into two groups, of which the principal
+force was on the Portuguese border, while the other, subdivided into
+mobile detachments, was doubling back towards the Rufigi river.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"These fellows will give trouble," declared the major.  "They won't
+stand.  They are in a mortal funk of enveloping movements; but by the
+time we've rounded 'em up we'll be jolly sick of the show, you mark my
+words."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The return of Bela Moshi and his section diverted Wilmshurst's
+attention into another channel.  The Haussa sergeant had succeeded in
+following the spoor of MacGregor's horse for three and a half miles
+along the path taken by the Waffs of their practically barren
+operations against the kopje when the Huns had been reported.  Here the
+trail ended in a medley of hoof-prints, while hard by a rock were
+traces of the splaying of half a dozen bullets.  In the sun-baked grass
+in front of the rock were found ten used cartridge cases and a
+stirrup-iron, but a prolonged search faded to reveal any traces of the
+missing Rhodesian's departure from the spot where he had apparently
+been brought to bay.  There were hundreds of footprints all around;
+those of Askaris and Germans, for none of the imprints of booted feet
+bore any resemblance to those of Robert MacGregor.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At the first opportunity the adjutant called Wilmshurst aside.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You didn't mention your suspicions to any one else?" he enquired.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No, sir," replied Dudley.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's just as well for the present," continued Captain Manners.  "For
+MacGregor's sake I hope that you have done him an injustice, but I am
+quite convinced that you acted judiciously in communicating your
+suspicions to me.  However, there's still one point that wants clearing
+up.  The patrol did not find MacGregor's body.  Nor was there any spoor
+to show which way he went if he did succeed in breaking through the
+enemy.  The third surmise is that he might have been taken prisoner.
+If so, is it likely that the Huns provided him with a horse?  I think
+not.  Knowing Fritz as we do, the sort of thing that they would do
+would be to lash his wrists, and drag him at the end of a line&mdash;but
+Bela Moshi was emphatic that none of the boot-prints corresponded to
+those of the missing man.  Until the mystery is cleared up, we are at a
+loss to understand whether MacGregor is a true man or a traitor."
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap08"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER VIII
+</H3>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+ULRICH VON GOBENDORFF
+</H4>
+
+<P>
+Hauptmann Max von Argerlich, senior surviving officer of the 99th
+Regiment of Askaris, was in a furious temper with himself and every one
+with whom he came in contact.  It might have been the unusual exertion
+of a forced march in the heat of the sun, or an insufficiency of food
+that had upset him.  The hard-worked Askaris had good cause to dread
+his passionate outbursts, for on these occasions lashes were ordered at
+the faintest pretext, for efficiency, according to the hauptmann's
+ideas, could only be maintained by an active display of physical force.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Von Argerlich's depleted and harassed force lay entrenched at M'ganga,
+after having withdrawn from another fortified position half an hour too
+late according to the hauptmann's idea.  All but surrounded, the
+Askaris just managed to escape being captured to a man, and now,
+temporarily safe from pursuit, the regiment had arrived at a prepared
+position to await another column known to be retiring in a
+north-westerly direction.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The hauptmann was a middle-aged officer, a Prussian who through some
+indiscretion that had given offence to his Imperial master had been
+practically banished by being sent to German East Africa.  That was two
+years before the war.  Upon the outbreak of hostilities he hoped by
+melodramatic means to find himself restored to favour, but to his
+chagrin he saw that younger officers gained promotion in the German
+Colonial Forces while he remained at this present rank of hauptmann.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With a bottle of spirits by his side von Argerlich sprawled upon a camp
+bed, while in the absence of  mosquito curtain two lean Askaris,
+terrified by the Hun's drunken outburst, were diligently fanning him
+with broad leaves of a palm, knowing that if their efforts relaxed or
+developed into greater zeal than the hauptmann desired, the schambok
+awaited them.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Von Argerlich had good cause to remember the scrap before the retreat.
+A bullet fired from behind had nicked his ear, and he knew that it was
+one of his Askaris who had fired.  As a warning he had ordered half a
+dozen of the luckless natives to be executed, but even then he was far
+from certain that the culprit was included in the number.  There were
+strong signs of mutinous insubordination in the ranks of the 99th
+Askari Regiment, and only the fact that the expected column was on its
+way to join the forces under von Argerlich's command kept the black
+troops in any semblance of order.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The hauptmann was both sorry and glad on that account; sorry because he
+would automatically drop into a subordinate position when other German
+officers superior in rank came in with the column; glad, since there
+would be sufficient Europeans to overawe the iron-disciplined yet
+mutinous native troops.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The appearance of the German sergeant-major interrupted the hauptmann's
+reveries.  Clicking his heels and stiffly saluting the veteran awaited
+his officer's permission to speak.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Well, dolt?" enquired von Argerlich thickly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A scout has just reported that the Gwelba column has been sighted,
+Herr Hauptmann," announced the warrant officer.  "The advance guard
+ought to be here within half an hour."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It is well," replied the hauptmann, rising unsteadily.  "Tell
+Lieutenant Muller to get the men under arms.  Where's my sword?  Hans,
+you black schweinhund, bring me my boots, and take care that there are
+no centipedes in them, or&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Still grumbling the hauptmann buckled on his sword, donned his
+sun-helmet and boots and went out into the open space between the
+trench and the lines of low-built huts where the remnants of the 99th
+regiment&mdash;250 men out of a full strength of 1,200&mdash;were falling in.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Worn and weary the advance guard of the column limped into the camp,
+followed at regular intervals by the main body.  With the latter was
+Oberst von Lindenfelt, the senior officer of the column, and another
+individual dressed in nondescript garments whose face seemed familiar
+to von Argerlich.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Greetings, Max!" exclaimed von Lindenfelt.  "Let us hope you have
+plenty of food.  We are almost starving."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not much in that line, Herr Oberst," replied von Argerlich.  "How have
+you fared?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Donnerwetter!" said the oberst vehemently.  "Things have gone badly.
+It is indeed fortunate that we managed to find our way in.  Had it not
+been for von Gobendorff here&mdash;you have met von Gobendorff before, I
+understand?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Der teufel!" ejaculated the hauptmann, grasping the hand of the
+motley-garbed man, "of course I have.  Ulrich, ten thousand pardons,
+but in two years a man is apt to alter, especially in these strenuous
+times.  Has anything happened that you have been compelled to drop your
+Scottish name?  Let me think.  Ach!  I have it.  MacGregor, was it not?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Ulrich von Gobendorff shook his head.  "Nothing compelled me, Max," he
+replied.  "The time was ripe&mdash;therefore Robert MacGregor is no more.
+The name and character served their purpose," he continued, assuming a
+boastful tone.  "It was I who warned von Lindenfelt's column when it
+stood a good chance of being cut off at Gwelba kopje.  Again it is to
+my credit that a detachment of our forces was not ambushed at Zwarte
+kloof.  I covered my tracks very effectively, did I not, Herr Oberst?
+Himmel.  I have news for you, Max.  The brother of your personal enemy,
+Rupert Wilmshurst, is with the English forces operating against us.
+Several times I have spoken to him."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Has he any suspicion?" asked the hauptmann anxiously.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"None at all," replied von Gobendorff.  "It was easy to tell him a
+plausible tale.  And how fares the interfering Englishman, Rupert
+Wilmshurst?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We still have him in close confinement up in the Karewenda Geberge,"
+replied the hauptmann carelessly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A personal matter?" enquired Oberst von Lindenfelt.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The accursed Englishman struck me a blow because I thought fit to
+chastise a thieving native woman," replied von Argerlich.  "That was
+when the fellow was still prowling round to find the ammunition which
+we buried in readiness for the present time.  Our good friend Ulrich
+trapped him."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why didn't you shoot the Englishman as soon as I had departed for
+South-West Africa?" enquired Ulrich von Gobendorff.  "It would have
+been a simple solution to the difficulty, for dead men tell no tales."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I would have done so," replied the hauptmann, "but for this reason.
+There were hundreds of natives who saw him taken away under arrest.  If
+things go wrong with us they will most certainly inform the English.
+Also I do not wish to be a subject for reprisals, as I hear our foes
+are adopting that attitude.  If we are to be on the losing side it pays
+us to walk circumspectly.  By the bye, have you heard anything lately
+of your brother, Ernst?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not for many months," replied Ulrich von Gobendorff.  "The last time I
+received indirect tidings that he was doing good work in England.  It
+will take a very smart man to catch Ernst.  He is one of the most wily
+Secret Service Agents in the employ of the German Imperial Government."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Oberst von Lindenfelt having dismissed the troops the three Germans
+adjourned to the hauptmann's quarters, where over the remains of the
+bottle of spirits conversation was resumed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Tell me how you gave the Englishman the slip, Ulrich," asked von
+Argerlich.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It was quite a simple matter," replied the spy.  "I informed the camp
+commander&mdash;he was a simple sort of leutnant&mdash;that I was going to
+overtake the column, the column, by the bye, having been sent by me on
+a fool's errand to capture an imaginary laager on Gwelba kopje.
+According to previous arrangements I fell in with Hauptmann Schmidt's
+company, and he obligingly set a squad of his Askaris to work to stage
+the last stand of Scout MacGregor.  We trampled the grass, left a few
+cartridge cases lying about and sent my borrowed horse away with a
+bullet-wound in his flank to hurry him up, and to give additional
+colour to the effect.  I should not be surprised to see the name of
+Robert MacGregor posthumously honoured with the British Military Medal
+or something of that sort."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The three Huns laughed uproariously.  Under the temporarily
+exhilarating effect of the rank spirit they were beginning to forget
+their physical exhaustion.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"To be on the safe side," continued von Gobendorff, "it will be
+necessary for me to get as far away from the Nth-West African Regiment
+as I can.  I presume that you have no objection to my leaving you, Herr
+Oberst?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Von Lindenfelt grunted assent.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Can you get clear of the colony?" he asked.  "Every frontier is
+guarded, while since the <I>Jaguar</I> succeeded in running her cargo of
+quick-firers ashore even the coast is rigidly patrolled by those
+accursed English cruisers."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Give me a dozen native carriers, rifles and ammunition, and I'll wager
+that before another fortnight I'll be in Rhodesia," declared von
+Gobendorff.  "Once there the rest will be easy; train to Cape Town,
+mail-boat to Plymouth, our splendid unterseebooten permitting; then,
+having applied to a certain compatriot in London for a forged passport,
+I'll cross to Flushing and be in German territory three months from
+now."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If you do, please don't forget to inform the authorities at Berlin
+that I am still doing good work for the Fatherland," remarked the
+hauptmann earnestly.  "The War Office seems to forget us out here."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Quite so," agreed von Lindenfelt.  "We do not get even Iron Crosses,
+although we are still holding out after two years of incessant
+guerrilla warfare.  Only the other day&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A junior officer stood in the doorway, his flaccid features working
+with excitement.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Pardon, Herr Oberst," he exclaimed, as he saluted.  "An English
+aeroplane&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Donnerwetter!" interrupted the German excitedly.  "Is that so?  Von
+Argerlich, I trust that there is a positively bomb-proof shelter
+available?  How far away is the accursed machine, Herr Schmidt?  Is it
+flying in the direction of M'ganga?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No, sir," replied the leutnant gravely.  He wanted to smile, but a
+display of mirth at the expense of a superior officer was not
+advisable.  "It has fallen at about twelve kilometres from here.  Our
+scouts reported that the two occupants were seen tramping through the
+bush in the direction of the English bivouac four miles south of
+Gwelba."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why did not the Askaris shoot them?" demanded Oberst von Lindenfelt.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There were but three of our scouts and the Englishmen were armed,"
+explained the German.  "I would venture to suggest, Herr Oberst, that
+the men did well to return immediately with their report rather than
+risk being disabled in an attempt to engage the airmen."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Von Lindenfelt pondered a few moments, then he turned abruptly to
+Ulrich von Gobendorff.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I believe you understand aeroplanes, Ulrich," he said.  "Did you not
+fly at the great Johannesthal meeting a few years ago?  I thought you
+told me so.  Ah! yes.  You will accompany Hauptmann von Argerlich and a
+half company of Askaris.  If the machine is easily repairable, fly it
+back here, otherwise destroy it.  Until this duty is performed I
+withhold my permission for you to leave the column.  Start as soon as
+possible.  A horse will be provided you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was useless to demur.  The oberst's word was law.  Inwardly raging
+von Gobendorff rose to his feet, stiffly saluted and followed the
+hauptmann out of the hut in execution of von Lindenfelt's order.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap09"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER IX
+</H3>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+THE FIGHT FOR THE SEAPLANE
+</H4>
+
+<P>
+At dawn Wilmshurst left the camp, accompanied by the full platoon, to
+attempt the salving of the crippled seaplane.  It was a comparatively
+easy matter to follow the tracks of the two airmen, for the
+down-trodden grass and the frequent sights of wisps of clothing
+adhering to the briars and thorns were evidences of a spoor that even
+an indifferent scout could determine.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Those two johnnies must have had a rough time of it," thought the
+subaltern.  "I can well imagine their difficulties.  It's a wonder they
+got to the camp at all, for there are distinct spoors of lions.  What's
+that, Bela Moshi?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Big rhino him come by," reported the sergeant, pointing to heavy
+depression on the ground.  What he meant was that a rhinoceros had cut
+across the bush path not so very long ago, as the freshly trampled
+grass showed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"All right," replied Wilmshurst.  "Warn the men to be on the alert.  We
+don't want casualties."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Bela Moshi hurried to the head of the column, for the Haussas were in
+single file, owing to the narrowness of the bush-path.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At that moment the platoon was crossing a dried water-course, the
+ground shelving steeply on both sides.  The subaltern had an almost
+uninterrupted view of the heads and shoulders of the men preceding him
+as the foremost began the stiff ascent beyond the nullah.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Suddenly the Haussas broke right and left, uttering warning shouts.
+Charging down the narrow track was a huge animal of the buffalo tribe,
+commonly known in Central Africa as a "bush-cow."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The ground trembled under the thud of the brute's ponderous weight as
+it rushed at terrific speed to attack the khaki-clad blacks.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+One man alone stood his ground.  Dropping on one knee he fired straight
+at the centre of the tufts of hair that concealed the animal's eyes,
+the range being less than thirty yards.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dudley heard the almost simultaneous crash of the rifle and the thud of
+the bullet against the bush-cow's frontal-bone, but apparently unharmed
+the animal continued its headlong rush.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Too late the plucky Haussa attempted to avoid the impetus by springing
+aside.  Even as he leapt to his feet the man was caught by the lowered
+head of the ferocious brute and tossed ten feet in the air.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Across the bed of the dried-up stream the bush-cow charged, until
+Wilmshurst hurriedly came to the conclusion that it was quite time for
+him to dodge behind a tree.  As he made for shelter he saw the animal's
+fore-legs collapse and its ponderous carcass plough the ground.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Making his way through the press of excited Haussas Wilmshurst saw that
+the bush-cow was stone dead.  The bullet had penetrated the brain,
+entering by a neatly-drilled puncture and emerging by a hole as large
+as a man's fist.  Yet, although hit in a vital spot, the animal had
+covered a distance of nearly fifty yards before collapsing.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"One no go," declared Bela Moshi.  "Anoder him lib for come plenty
+quick."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Think so?" remarked the subaltern.  "Then don't stand bunched up
+together&mdash;extend.  Three of you lift Nara Gilul into the shade."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Anxiously Wilmshurst examined the brave but unfortunate black.  Nara
+Gilul was fully conscious in spite of having fallen on his head, but
+two of his ribs were fractured and his shins were badly cut although
+protected by his puttees.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nara Gilul him stop till we come back," suggested the corporal of his
+section in answer to Dudley's question as to what was to be done.  "Him
+'ab rifle an' ammunition.  Him lib to take care ob himsel'.  Berry much
+him fault."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That won't do, corporal," said Wilmshurst.  "We must send him back.
+Take five men with you.  It will be only two hours' trek."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Accordingly the Haussas set to work to make a stretcher, performing the
+task with wonderful celerity.  They were on the point of lifting the
+helpless man when the shout was raised.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Bush-cow, him come!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Take cover, all of you!" shouted the subaltern, loath to hamper his
+task by additional casualties.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Haussas obeyed with one exception&mdash;Bela Moshi.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The sergeant, slipping a clip into the magazine, stood right in the
+centre of the path along which the second bush-cow was tearing, eager
+to avenge its mate.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Wilmshurst made no further attempt to order Beta Moshi to take refuge.
+He realised that to do so would flurry the imperturbable sergeant, but
+he was entirely at a loss to understand why the Haussa was apparently
+courting disaster in precisely the same way as the luckless Nara Gilul
+had done.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A rifle bolt clicked in the bush on the sergeant's flank.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Unload!" he hissed, knowing that the risk he ran from an excited man
+with a loaded rifle was greater than that confronting him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At a terrific pace the bush-cow bore down.  Twenty yards from the
+motionless man the brute lowered its head.  In that position its vision
+was obscured by the thick tufts of long hair.  Having taken its final
+"sighting position" the animal relied upon its momentum to achieve the
+destruction of its human enemy.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The moment the bush-cow lowered its head Bela Moshi, with every sense
+on the alert, leapt sideways behind a tree.  Then, as the infuriated
+quadruped thundered past, the Haussa brought his rifle to the shoulder
+and fired.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Thirty yards further the bush-cow dropped and died with a bullet
+through its heart, while the victor, grinning as only a black can grin,
+strode magnificently up to his victim and planted one foot upon the
+quivering carcass.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The injured man having been sent back and the carcasses of the two
+animals dragged aside&mdash;they would provide excellent meat if the task of
+sun drying the flesh was not unduly delayed&mdash;the march was resumed,
+until on gaining the summit of a low hill the wings of the broken-down
+seaplane were visible as they rose obliquely above the scanty scrub at
+a distance of nearly two miles.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Halting his men, Wilmshurst made a careful survey of the ground by
+means of his binoculars.  A number of large birds&mdash;<I>aasvogels</I>, or
+African vultures&mdash;were circling over the derelict.  It was therefore
+safe to conclude that no human being, unless helpless to lift a hand,
+was in the vicinity.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In the midst of his investigations Tari Barl approached with a
+self-satisfied smile on his ebony features.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Askari him foots, sah!" he reported, holding up three fingers of his
+right hand to indicate that he had discovered the spoor of three of the
+German native soldiery.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"H'm!" muttered Dudley.  "That's rotten news.  New spoor, Tarry Barrel?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Haussa nodded vehemently, and led his officer to the footprints.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Examination showed that three natives had been following the spoor of
+the two naval airmen.  The firm tread of the latter&mdash;for at that stage
+of the journey they were comparatively fresh&mdash;was partly obliterated by
+the typical imprints of a black walking stealthily on his toes, for the
+impress of the heels hardly occurred.  The Askaris had abandoned the
+trail a short distance from the brow of the hill, for there were marks
+where they had stood and debated, and the spoor leading in a
+north-westerly direction showed that they had gone by a different route
+from the one they had followed.  This track did not lead in the
+direction of the stranded seaplane, so Wilmshurst conjectured that the
+Askaris had made straight for their main body, possibly with the
+intention of bringing men to recover the trophy.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Again the subaltern levelled his glasses and swept the skyline.
+Wending their way down a bare kloof were about two hundred armed blacks
+and three men in European garb riding in the centre of the column.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"MacGreg him dar, sah!" exclaimed Bela Moshi.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nonsense!" replied Wilmshurst, yet in his heart he was not at all sure
+but that the Haussa was right.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"MacGreg him make palaver with Bosh-bosh," declared the sergeant.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was a contest between a pair of high-powered field glasses and the
+eyesight of a native.  Vainly Wilmshurst wiped the lenses and looked
+and looked again without being able to satisfy himself that Bela
+Moshi's statement was correct.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Here, you boy!" said the sergeant addressing Tari Barl.  "You come
+here an' use yer eyes all one time quick.  Say who am white man on der
+black horse."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Me tink MacGreg him come," replied Tari Barl after a brief survey.
+"No; me no tink me know."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Wilmshurst waited inactive.  Until the approaching hostile column had
+descended from the high ground and the men were deep in the bush,
+attempt on the part of the Haussas to advance from the ridge would
+result in the latter's detection.  So, holding the men well under cover
+Wilmshurst kept the Huns under observation until it was safe to attempt
+a surprise.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Long before the extended line of troops had marched into the
+scrub-laden valley, the subaltern was forced to come to the conclusion
+that MacGregor was not only with the enemy, but obviously one of them.
+As the distance decreased he could make out the man's features, quite
+distinctly, and could see him talking volubly with the German officers
+on either side.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Askaris were numerically far stronger than Wilmshurst's platoon,
+but the Haussas had a great advantage&mdash;that of being the surprising
+force.  In bush fighting especially this is a decided advantage, since
+the closeness of the ground prevents the troops attacked knowing the
+number or disposition of their opponents, while the moral effect of a
+sudden rush of well-armed and disciplined men upon enemies practically
+unprepared for the onslaught cannot be under-estimated.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"MacGreg him make for maquisha," declared Bela Moshi grimly, as he
+carefully blacked the foresight of his rifle.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Maquisha" in the Haussa language signifies something more than
+finished.  A man might say, "I've finished eating," for example, and
+yet in a few hours he will be again satisfying his hunger, but
+"maquisha" signifies finished in the penultimate sense&mdash;the final
+extermination of a certain person or thing.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No, no, Bela Moshi," said Wilmshurst decidedly.  "We want MacGreg
+taken prisoner.  That's important.  Pass the word along; tell the men
+that there's a month's pay to the Haussa who takes MacGreg alive."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was rather a tall order, and Wilmshurst knew it.  MacGregor, now
+openly a traitor, would not be likely to surrender in view of the fact
+that a drum-head court-martial and an ignominious death in front of a
+firing-party would certainly be his fate.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Returning his field glasses and confidently snapping the lid of the
+case Wilmshurst gave the word to advance in open order.  He had decided
+upon a position about two hundred yards short of the derelict aircraft,
+guessing that the still unsuspecting enemy would concentrate upon that
+objective, and thus form a compact and easy target for the Haussas'
+rifles.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Naturally concluding that the airmen had chosen the most open stretch
+of ground available for the purpose of making their landing, Wilmshurst
+found that his judgment was sound.  Right in the centre of the valley
+the scrub was almost entirely absent, the ground being covered with
+grass little more than ankle deep in height and absolutely devoid of
+cover over a belt of nearly four hundred yards in width.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Up to a certain point the Huns showed caution, for presently two
+Askaris, pushing on ahead of the main body, came into view.  That they
+expected no danger was apparent from the fact that they had their
+rifles slung.  At the sight of the derelict seaplane they stood
+stock-still, for it was the first aircraft at rest that they had seen.
+Then bounding across the intervening stretch of grass they wandered
+round and round the machine, jabbering and pointing out to each other
+various parts of the aeroplane that particularly struck their attention.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The shrill blasts of a whistle diverted their thoughts into another
+direction.  The officer in charge of the Askari column had signalled to
+the scouts to advance and examine the scrub beyond the place where the
+seaplane stood.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Like well-trained dogs the two native soldiers obeyed, and with their
+rifles still slung they hastened towards the position occupied by the
+alert Haussas, passing between two clumps of cacti behind which were
+hiding Tari Barl, No Go, Double-headed Penny and two more of No. 1
+Section.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Haussas let them pass.  Unsuspicious the Askaris proceeded until
+their movements were hidden from their friends by the intervening
+scrub, then with hardly a sound the five lithe and muscular Waffs leapt
+upon them.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Before the startled men could even utter a gurgle they were lying flat
+on their backs, unable to move hand or foot, while a hand laid over
+their mouths and a keen-edged bayonet laid across their throats warned
+them that silence was the only alternative to sudden death.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Accepting the former choice the prisoners were bound and gagged, and
+taken a hundred yards or so into the bush, a Haussa mounting guard over
+them to make sure that the wily Askaris did not slip their bonds.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Wilmshurst's anxiety was now the thought that the main body would not
+emerge from the bush, since the two scouts were not able to signal that
+all was well.  Several minutes passed, but still the German troops
+failed to debouch from the scrub.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A stealthy footstep behind him made the subaltern turn his head.  To
+his surprise he saw Bela Moshi rigged out in the uniform and equipment
+of one of the captives.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Me give Bosh-bosh de word 'Come on' one time quick, sah," he
+announced.  "Me know how."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Wilmshurst did not think fit to enquire how the resourceful sergeant
+acquired the information.  There are times when an officer does well
+not to question his subordinate's actions.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Very good, carry on," he whispered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Standing in a gap between two clumps of bushes Bela Moshi, grasping his
+rifle a few inches from the muzzle, held the weapon vertically above
+his head moving it to and fro five or six times.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The decoy signal was almost immediately answered by the appearance of
+the main body of the Askaris and with them the three Europeans, who
+were still mounted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Wilmshurst let them approach until the foremost Askaris were within a
+hundred yards of the seaplane.  They were now in no semblance of order,
+surging impetuously forward, their officers towering head and shoulders
+above the throng.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Sharp and shrill rang out the subaltern's whistle.  A volley, crisp and
+clear, burst from the line of admirably concealed Haussas, then each
+man "let rip" as fast as he could withdraw, and thrust home the bolt of
+his rifle and bring the weapon to his shoulder.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was such a tremendous surprise that for a moment the Askaris, save
+those who dropped, stood stock still.  Then, panic-stricken, they broke
+and fled, the German officers setting them the example.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As the so-called MacGregor wheeled his horse Bela Moshi, who had
+withheld his fire, saw his opportunity.  At five hundred yards he sent
+a bullet crashing through the devoted animal's head.  Like a stone the
+horse dropped, throwing its rider to the earth.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+By some means the dried grass took fire, the flames crackling and
+roaring as they spread with great rapidity, fortunately away from the
+broken-down seaplane.  Through the whirling clouds of smoke could be
+faintly discerned the backs of the fugitives, many of whom dropped as
+they ran with a Haussa's bullet betwixt their shoulder blades, while
+remorselessly the devouring element made its way in the direction of
+the place where the traitor had fallen.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So complete was the demoralization of the foe that Wilmshurst had now
+no hesitation in ordering an advance at the double.  Although the
+German levies still greatly outnumbered the Haussas the former had&mdash;in
+Tommy parlance&mdash;"the wind up properly," and numerical superiority no
+longer counted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With fixed bayonets the platoon swept forward.  Over the path of the
+fire the Haussas rushed, the still glowing embers failing to deter
+them, their bare feet notwithstanding.  Yelling and shouting they
+pursued their foes, sweeping aside all isolated attempts at resistance,
+until the remnants of the hostile column were driven more than two
+miles from the scene of their surprise.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It took considerable efforts on the part of the non-commissioned
+officer to make the highly-elated Haussas desist from pursuit, but
+Wilmshurst knew too well the rashness of a prolonged chase through
+difficult country.  Retiring, picking up wounded and prisoners as they
+went, the Waffs re-formed on arriving at the open belt of ground where
+the brilliant little victory had commenced.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+By this time the scrub was well alight, fanned by the strong
+south-easterly breeze.  The fire was also working against the wind, but
+the concerted efforts of the Haussas prevented it approaching the
+derelict aircraft.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In vain a search was made for the traitor who was known to the Haussas
+as MacGreg.  His horse, surrounded by half a dozen badly-charred
+corpses, was discovered, but of the rider there were no signs.
+Reluctantly Wilmshurst was forced to come to the conclusion that
+fortune had favoured the recreant, and that under cover of the dense
+smoke the fellow had either crawled away or else had been carried by
+some of the Askaris.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap10"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER X
+</H3>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+PREPARATIONS
+</H4>
+
+<P>
+"Well, sergeant; how many casualties?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Bela Moshi, wearing a broad smile, saluted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Brass Pot, him head-bone blown inside out," he replied, as cheerfully
+as only a Haussa can when reporting losses amongst his comrades.
+"Nimshi Pali, him no good&mdash;maquisha.  Dat all dead, but plenty much
+Haussa hurt&mdash;so many."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He indicated by means of his fingers that fifteen were more or less
+seriously wounded, a fairly heavy toll of the sixty odd men who had
+paraded that morning.  Nevertheless, the sacrifice had not been made in
+vain, for a numerically stronger force had been completely routed with
+the loss of eighteen left dead upon the field, and thirty-eight wounded
+and unwounded prisoners, together with fifty-nine Mauser rifles, which,
+for want of transport, were smashed after the bolt action of each had
+been removed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Having taken proper precautions against a surprise counter-attack,
+although such a step was unlikely in view of the demoralization of the
+defeated force, Wilmshurst directed his attention to the object of the
+expedition&mdash;the saving of the seaplane.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+West African natives are as a rule good carpenters and blacksmiths, and
+the Haussas were no exception.  Under Wilmshurst's directions they set
+to work to dismantle the machine, removing the planes as carefully and
+expeditiously as a party of crack mechanics from the Royal Air Force
+factories.  One of the floats was badly smashed, but the other was
+practically intact except for a small jagged hole in the three-ply
+mahogany.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In a couple of hours the machine was ready for transport across five
+miles of bush country, although, fortunately, the ground was fairly
+level.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A pair of mountain gun wheels on a broad base-line had been brought for
+the purpose, and the chassis, engine included, was rested on the axle.
+Relays of men steadied and propelled the heavy load, others armed with
+axes and entrenching spades going on ahead to clear the path.  Other
+parties transported the floats and planes, while advance and rear
+guards and flankers were thrown out to guard against a possible
+surprise, while an escort had to be provided for the prisoners.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With frequent halts it was not surprising that the rate of progress was
+roughly one and a half miles an hour, and it was close on sunset when
+the rescued seaplane arrived at the banks of a small river, where the
+Waffs, having struck camp in the vicinity of Gwelba, had only just
+marched in.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Colonel Quarrier was delighted with Wilmshurst's report and personally
+complimented him upon the way in which he had accomplished the
+difficult task with which he had been entrusted, and also the brilliant
+little action, which was quite unexpected.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Pity you didn't either plug or capture that worthless scoundrel
+MacGregor," he remarked, for there was now no doubt about the utter
+faithlessness of the supposed Rhodesian.  "A man like that will cause
+more trouble than a dozen machine-guns.  I suppose, in the course of
+former conversations with him, you did not detect any trace of a
+foreign accent?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"None whatever, sir," replied Dudley.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Or mannerisms?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Again the subaltern replied in the negative.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I can only hope," continued Colonel Quarrier, "that the fellow isn't
+an Englishman.  It is just possible that he is of German nationality,
+and that long years of residence either in Great Britain or the
+colonies has enabled him to totally suppress his Hunnish accent and
+traits, although it is almost an impossible matter to eradicate his
+sympathies for his kultured Fatherland.  'Once a German, always a
+German,' you know."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Having been dismissed by his colonel, Dudley was questioned and
+congratulated by Captain Manners, the adjutant, who also expressed
+regret that the so-called MacGregor had contrived to escape capture.
+The members of the "Lone Star Crush" were boisterously warm in their
+congratulations, chaffing the subaltern as well as they knew; but
+Wilmshurst, alive to the mannerisms of his brother-officers, took their
+facetious remarks in good part.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The two officer-airmen added their thanks and good wishes.  They were
+still too weak to walk any distance and had to be carried in
+roughly-constructed "dhoolies" by the Haussas.  Their relief on
+learning that the seaplane was safely alongside the river was great,
+especially when they were promised that the work of repairing the
+floats would be put in hand forthwith.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your C.O. evidently wants to get rid of us," declared the pilot
+smiling.  "A crippled 'bus hampers the mobility of the column.  We
+heard that a runner came in just now before we left Gwelba, with the
+news that an ammunition column and details are on their way up-country.
+We've sent down for more petrol, so things look rosy&mdash;thanks
+principally to you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's nothing," expostulated Wilmshurst.  "Merely returning good for
+evil&mdash;that's all."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"'Returning good for evil,'" repeated the pilot.  "I don't understand
+you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Let me explain," continued Dudley, laughing at the thought of
+disillusioning the airmen.  "A day or two ago my platoon were posted on
+the M'ganga road.  We were just settling down nicely to give Fritz a
+warm welcome when you two fellows started dropping bombs on us."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Good heavens!" ejaculated the observer.  "We thought we were strafing
+a mob of Huns.  No damage, I trust?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You would have heard of it before now if there had been," replied
+Wilmshurst.  "The nearest one just dusted some of my men, that's all.
+We couldn't get you to see that we were a Haussa platoon, and I had a
+nice old job keeping my men in hand.  They wanted to take pot shots at
+you.  By the bye, what made you chuck it&mdash;clear out after dropping only
+a few bombs?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Our last, fortunately for you," said the pilot.  "I say, what a frost!
+An' we claimed four direct hits, didn't we?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We did," corroborated the other dourly.  "We seriously considered the
+idea of giving you a couple of trays of Lewis gun ammunition, Mr.
+Wilmshurst.  You'd be surprised how difficult it is to distinguish
+between British and German native troops from any height.  By the bye,
+did you find a mahogany box in the fuselage?  Good! it contains
+undeveloped photograph plates.  One we took of your position.  I'll
+send along a print when we get back to our base.  It will interest you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Waffs were to remain in camp for three days, pending the arrival of
+the convoy.  Even had the latter not been expected the Haussas were
+temporarily rendered immobile by the presence of the crippled seaplane
+and her crew, and also by the number of prisoners.  The captive Askaris
+were subjected to a strict examination, with the result that it was
+discovered that Robert MacGregor was really a German, and a person of
+some official capacity, since he was on friendly terms with the Hun
+commandant, while an Askari sergeant gave the traitor's name with great
+distinctness, Ulrich von Gobendorff, adding that the German used to
+have charge of a fortified post at Twashi in the Narewenda Hills.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's not so very many miles from the Rhodesian border," thought
+Wilmshurst, as he made a note of the name in his pocket-book.  "I
+wonder if we are ever likely to operate in that district?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Other information given by the prisoners fixed the position of a German
+entrenched post held by three native regiments and a handful of whites,
+at M'ganga, under the command of von Lindenfelt.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"M'ganga?  I thought this was M'ganga," exclaimed the puzzled adjutant,
+referring to a map.  "Ask the prisoner how far he marched and in what
+direction before he was captured?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The man having replied, Captain Manners was able to locate the spot.
+On the German-inspired maps it was shown as a place, whereas, according
+to the Askari's description M'ganga was a fairly extensive table-land,
+precipitous on three sides, while on the fourth the ground descended in
+a series of slight terraces to a broad but shallow river, fordable at a
+dozen places, within a distance of a couple of miles.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If only the beggars will stand," exclaimed Colonel Quarrier, "the
+place will be well worth going for.  With our small force a turning
+movement seems rather a tall order.  Of course, if we can get in touch
+with the Pathan regiments at Kilmoro&mdash;and there's a detachment of
+Rhodesian Light Horse, too, I believe."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, sir," agreed the senior major.  "If we can co-operate&mdash;cannot we
+send a runner, sir?  He'll be back before the ammunition and a supply
+column comes in."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In quick time the repairs to the seaplane were completed, and the craft
+moored afloat in a wide expanse of the river.  Owing to the difficult
+country, where an aeroplane fitted with landing-wheels would be at a
+loss to find a suitable spot to alight, a seaplane stood a better
+chance, owing to the presence of several wide rivers, and here the Sea
+Service machines of the Royal Air Force scored over the German
+aircraft; most of which were already <I>hors de combat</I>, and could not be
+replaced owing to the lack of material and the cutting off of German
+East Africa from practically all communication without.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+On hearing of the proposed attack upon von Lindenfelt the naval airmen,
+who were rapidly recovering from the effect of their arduous and
+perilous trek, volunteered to remain and co-operate.  For observation
+purposes and machine-gunning the Huns they would be able to render
+yeoman service, while, when their offer was promptly accepted, the
+ingenious officers set to work to manufacture bombs.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+These missiles, rough and ready in construction, were none the less
+formidable, while the moral effect was a great consideration.  The
+"eggs" consisted of small sacks filled with cordite, both loose and in
+cartridges, while by manipulating the fuses of Mills bombs, so that the
+period between release and explosion was increased to six seconds, the
+improvised missiles were made to detonate just before reaching the
+ground after a fall of six hundred feet.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The tempestuous shouts of the Haussas announced the arrival of the
+transport column, for food was beginning to run short and the men's
+rations would have had to have been reduced had not the expected stores
+been speedily forthcoming.  There was petrol, too, enough for a series
+of flights over a distance of two hundred miles; while to the intense
+satisfaction of officers and men big Jock Spofforth rejoined the
+regiment, looking none the worse for his encounter with the lioness,
+except for the still raw scars on his brawny arms.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Just in time for a dust-up, I find, old man," was his reply to
+Wilmshurst's greeting.  "You've been lucky already, I hear?  Where's
+that MacGregor chap?  Is he still with the battalion?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Briefly Dudley explained what had happened.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Skunk," muttered Spofforth.  "So we've been taking a dirty Hun under
+our wing, so to speak.  I don't mind admitting now that I didn't think
+much of the blighter when he pushed off and promptly fainted."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But I scooted, too," interrupted Laxdale, "and left you to tackle the
+lioness."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I also plead guilty," added Danvers.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But with this difference," rejoined Spofforth: "you were unarmed and
+he had a rifle.  Ah, well; you fellows have stolen a march on me, and
+I've a lot of leeway to make up.  When do we move against M'ganga?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"As soon as we are in touch with the Indian crush," replied Danvers.
+"It may be tomorrow."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hurrah!" exclaimed Spofforth.  "Let's hope it will be a decent scrap,
+and that von Gobendorff will be present at the meeting."
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap11"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XI
+</H3>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+THE SNIPER
+</H4>
+
+<P>
+It was not until thirty-six hours later that the Waffs moved out of
+camp for the purpose of delivering a surprise attack upon von
+Lindenfelt's position.  From N'gere a strong force of Pathans,
+accompanied by a mule mountain battery, was marching in a
+north-easterly direction to cut off, if possible, the Huns' retreat,
+while the Rhodesian Light Horse was operating between M'ganga and the
+Karewenda Geberge in order to keep contact with any German troops
+likely to attempt to reinforce von Lindenfelt's garrison.  To still
+further encompass the hostile position a force of Belgians was
+approaching from the westward.  Even if these resolute and energetic
+troops failed to be in for the actual fighting, they would most
+effectually round up any stragglers, who would otherwise contrive to
+escape to the hinterland, where strong bands of Huns still maintained
+guerrilla tactics.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Almost as soon as it was light the seaplane rose from the surface of
+the river and flew westwards to note the respective dispositions of the
+other troops operating against M'ganga.  In the absence of wireless
+Colonel Quarrier could receive the airmen's report only by means of a
+written message dropped from the seaplane, while before the storming
+troops were in position the airmen would have to return to their
+temporary base, replenish petrol and then fly off to bomb von
+Lindenfelt's stronghold.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Progress was slow as far as the Haussas were concerned.  Although there
+were no indications that the Huns expected an attack so promptly they
+had made certain preparations.  The only approach from the south-east
+was by means of a narrow path through well-wooded and undulating
+country, and for miles from M'ganga the wily Germans had beset the road
+with pitfalls and booby-traps.  There were caltrops by the
+hundred&mdash;sharp-pointed spikes stuck into the ground, their tips
+cunningly hidden by dead leaves&mdash;which were responsible for a few
+casualties as the Haussas' bare feet came in contact with the barbs.
+These devices the blacks countered by means of implements shaped like
+exaggerated hoes which they pushed in front of them.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Other defensive measures were heavy logs suspended by boughs
+overhanging the path by means of light but strong wires.  An unwary
+footfall would release a catch which in turn would cause the baulk of
+timber to crash to the earth.  There were old muskets, charged to
+bursting point with slugs and nails, which were fired by similar
+devices, while on three occasions fougasses, or land-mines, were
+exploded, fortunately without causing casualties.  The Haussas, not to
+be outdone by their Askari foes, had taken the precaution of driving
+oxen well in front of the advance guard, and although six beasts had
+been killed by infernal machines, the troops succeeded in crossing the
+belt of forest with a loss of five men slightly wounded.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The explosion of those fougasses has knocked on the head our chances
+of delivering a surprise attack," remarked the company commander to
+Wilmshurst.  "It will be a frontal attack against a prepared foe.
+Let's hope the Huns won't bolt."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's the general opinion, sir," replied the subaltern.  "The men are
+simply longing for a scrap.  Fritz has thrown away one good chance.  He
+might have played Old Harry with us if he had posted a couple of
+companies in ambush in the forest."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I wasn't sorry to get clear of the place," admitted the major.  "A
+hundred men might have been lying in wait in those underglades and our
+flankers wouldn't spot 'em.  Hullo, here's the seaplane."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Flying at a comparatively low altitude the machine approached rapidly
+"down wind."  In the clear atmosphere the concentric red, white, and
+blue circles that indicated its nationality were visible from a great
+distance, while presently the features of the observer could be
+distinguished as he leant over the side of the fuselage.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Presently a small object to which coloured streamers were attached was
+dropped from the seaplane.  Greatly to the curiosity of the blacks, who
+watched the descending message with undisguised wonderment, the object
+did not explode on reaching the ground as they fully expected it to do;
+and it was with an absurd display of caution that Tari Barl and Blue
+Fly went to receive it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The C.O&mdash;sharp!" ordered Wilmshurst.  "Don't hold the thing like a
+snake&mdash;it won't bite."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Tari Barl departed on his errand, and returned presently, looking very
+crestfallen.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What's wrong, Tarry Barrel?" asked the subaltern.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Colonel him call me one time fool, sah," he reported.  "Him tell you
+come see him all in dashed hurry quick."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I wonder what Tarry Barrel has been doing?" thought Dudley as he
+hastened to report to his C.O.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Colonel Quarrier was laughing, so were the adjutant and the regimental
+sergeant-major.  In the former's hand was the unrolled scrap of paper
+on which the airmen's message was written.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's all right, after all, Mr. Wilmshurst," said the colonel.  "Your
+runner is a bit of a blockhead, as I think you'll admit.  Evidently
+under the impression that these coloured ribbons were a present to me
+from the skies, he handed over the streamers, while the case containing
+the writing, which had been soiled when it fell to the ground, he
+carefully cut off and threw away.  As you are here you may as well
+inform your company commander the news: the &mdash;th and &mdash;th Pathans are
+in their prearranged positions.  There will be a twenty-minutes'
+bombardment by the mountain battery in conjunction with an attack by
+the seaplane.  At four forty-five the Waffs will advance in three lines
+to the assault.  That's all, Mr. Wilmshurst."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The subaltern saluted and withdrew.  It was now three o'clock and an
+hour and three-quarters were to elapse before the battalion went into
+action.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Looks as if we've cornered the beggars, Mr. Wilmshurst," remarked the
+major, when Dudley had communicated the C.O.'s message.  "I suppose
+they are still there," he added.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The two officers searched the crest of the hill through their
+field-glasses.  So elaborate and skilful were the enemy defences that
+the powerful lenses failed to detect any trace of the rifle pits and
+sand-bagged parapets of the trenches.  Nor were any troops visible.
+The top of the table-land looked as deserted as an unexplored land in
+the Polar regions.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Wilmshurst lowered his binoculars.  He was about to make some reply
+when to the accompaniment of a shrill whistling sound his helmet was
+whisked from his head, falling to the ground a good ten feet from where
+he stood.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+For some minutes the two officers regarded each other, the major
+anxiously the other whimsically.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hit?" asked the major laconically.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No, sir," replied Wilmshurst.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Jolly near squeak," continued the other.  "I think we'll choose a
+little less exposed position to resume our observations."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dudley retrieved his helmet.  A couple of clean-cut holes marked the
+entry and exit of a bullet, the missile having missed the subaltern's
+head by a fraction of an inch.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We've drawn their fire, sir," he exclaimed.  "They are still there."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A sniper at eight hundred yards, I should imagine," observed the
+company commander.  "A jolly good shot for a Hun.  We'll try our luck
+again."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Making their way to the depression in the ground where the Haussas of
+"A" and "B" Companies were lying, the two officers set a couple of men
+to work to rig up a dummy soldier.  When complete the effigy was slowly
+moved so that from the hostile position it gave the appearance of a
+Haussa brazenly and defiantly moving out in the open, while a dozen
+officers swept the ground on their front with their field-glasses to
+try to detect the faint flash of a sniper's rifle.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A puff of smoke rose from behind a bush at a distance of half a mile,
+and almost immediately following the sharp crack of a rifle a bullet
+"knocked spots" off the effigy.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Without hesitation twenty or more Haussas let fly in the direction of
+the puff of smoke.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What are you aiming at, men?" shouted the major.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The score of blacks grinned unanimously.  In their minds they had no
+suspicion but that they had acted promptly and efficaciously.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Again the dummy was held aloft, and again the same thing happened.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I've spotted him, sir!" exclaimed Wilmshurst.  "Caught sight of the
+flash about fifty yards to the right.  Fritz, old sport, you're
+exposed."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+While the riflemen were keeping up a hot fire upon the bush that they
+supposed was concealing the sniper the company-commander ordered Bela
+Moshi to turn a machine gun upon the position that Wilmshurst had
+spotted.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Before twenty-four rounds had been let loose a man sprang three feet in
+the air, and fell inertly upon the ridge that had but imperfectly
+protected him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Dead as mutton," reported Wilmshurst, after bringing his glasses to
+bear upon the ill-starred Hun.  "He nearly had me, though," he
+soliloquised, tentatively fingering the double perforation in his
+helmet.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There was no lack of volunteers to examine the sniper's lair.
+Regardless of the risk of being potted at by other enemy riflemen Bela
+Moshi, Tari Barl, and Spot Cash crept forward, taking advantage of
+every available bit of cover.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In twenty minutes the Haussas returned, reporting in characteristically
+native terms that the German's head had been literally riddled with the
+burst of bullets from the Maxim.  They brought his rifle and
+ammunition, his field glasses and a small electric battery.  In
+connection with the latter wires were run from the sniper's lair to the
+bush from which the puffs of smoke had been seen.  Here small charges
+of black powder had been placed so as to be exploded from a safe
+distance and thus deceive the Haussas as to the rifleman's actual
+position.  The Hun was a bit of a strategist, but he had overreached
+himself.  It was the dense smoke from the black powder that had given
+him away.  Had he used the so-called smokeless powder the Haussas might
+have expended hundreds of rounds without discovering the cheat.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Wilmshurst examined the weapon that had so nearly done him in.  It was
+an improved Mauser, bearing the German Government proof mark and the
+date 1917, and was fitted with the latest approved type of telescopic
+sight, while on the muzzle was fixed a small metal cylinder that
+effectually silenced the report.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's strange, sir," he remarked to the major.  "We distinctly heard
+the report."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We did," agreed the company commander.  "I cannot understand it unless
+the Boche for some reason fired several rounds with the silencer
+removed.  If so, why?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Before the discussion could be carried further a dull, booming sound
+came from behind the table-land of M'ganga, while at a little height
+behind the German position appeared the mushroom-like cloud of white
+smoke as the shrapnel burst.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Good!" ejaculated the company commander, replacing his binoculars.
+"We've had the orchestral selection; the curtain rises on the First
+Act."
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap12"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XII
+</H3>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+THE STORMING OF M'GANGA
+</H4>
+
+<P>
+A loud whirring noise audible above the distant cannonade announced
+that the seaplane was passing overhead to participate in the strafing
+of Fritz.  Of necessity the airmen had to fly high in order to avoid
+being hit by the British shrapnel, but the summit of M'Ganga offered a
+big target and the bombs were soon dropping merrily upon the trenches,
+dug-outs, and storehouses of von Lindenfelt's position.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In a very few minutes the table-land was enveloped in a piebald pall of
+smoke, yet no return fire came from the two 4.1 inch guns that were
+known to be with von Lindenfelt's column.  Apart from the bursting
+shells and bombs there were no evidences of movement in the Huns'
+stronghold&mdash;a circumstance that caused the Waff officers to wonder
+deeply and mutter under their breath.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Fix bayonets!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The sharp click of the weapons being fixed to the rifles rattled along
+the line of excited Haussas.  Then in open order the blacks hurried
+forward to take cover.  Nor did any hostile bullet seek to check their
+progress.  Without hindrance the black and khaki steel-tipped line
+gained a pre-arranged position within four hundred yards of the base of
+M'Ganga plateau.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Here the men were halted to take a "breather" before essaying the final
+task, while the company officers foregathered, consulting their
+synchronised watches.  In another ten minutes&mdash;five minutes before the
+time for the bombardment to cease&mdash;the Haussas were to start on their
+desperate frontal attack.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"How goes it?" enquired Wilmshurst of Jock Spofforth, as the giant
+strolled leisurely across from the platoon.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Rotten," admitted the other candidly.  His big fingers were trembling
+slightly as he applied a match to a cigarette.  "First time going into
+action, you know.  It's the hanging about business that gets on a
+fellow's nerves."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You'll be all right when the advance sounds," declared Dudley.  "I
+felt like it once."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Simply had to stroll over and have a palaver with you," continued
+Spofforth.  "I was afraid that my men would spot my hands trembling.
+Hope the Boches are standing.  Hang it all!  Why did nature let me grow
+to this height?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Spofforth was laughing now.  The mental tension of the seemingly
+interminable wait was over.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Two minutes more&mdash;hop it, old man," cautioned Wilmshurst.  "The best
+of luck."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The whistles sounded.  Almost immediately, as if by some uncanny means
+the distant gunners saw that the infantry were in motion, the strafe
+ceased.  Overhead the seaplane still circled.  The bomb-dropping part
+of their task completed the airmen lingered to watch the advance, and
+if occasion offered to assist the storming troops by means of their
+Lewis gun.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The natural features of the face of the plateau made the ascent a
+difficult one.  Often the Haussas had to climb upon their comrades'
+shoulders, and in return help them to surmount an awkward terrace; yet
+everything considered the triple line was well maintained, the blacks
+needing no encouragement from their white officers, who, perspiring
+freely in every pore, were well ahead of their men.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The summit at last.  Well-nigh breathless, Wilmshurst, although by no
+means the first, drew himself over the rocky edge of the table-land to
+find the ground plentifully sprinkled with barbed wire entanglements.
+Although this form of defence had been badly knocked about by
+shell-fire there was still sufficient wire, either in tension or else
+in snake-like coils, to offer serious impediment to the advance.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Suddenly the opening shot of a ragged, ill-aimed fusillade burst from a
+line of zig-zagged trenches a hundred yards from the edge of the
+plateau.  A Haussa, in the act of assisting a comrade, sprang high in
+the air, and fell, his hands in his death-agony clutching at
+Wilmshurst's ankles.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Without knowing what trapped him the subaltern measured his length on
+the ground.  Probably the fall saved his life, for a corporal
+immediately behind him was shot through the chest.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Prone position&mdash;independent firing," shouted the major, realising that
+it was a forlorn hope for a few men to charge.  Until a sufficient
+number of bayonets was on the plateau a forward movement was out of the
+question.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Coolly the Haussas threw themselves on the ground, taking advantage of
+every scrap of cover.  To the accompaniment of the constant whip-like
+cracks of the rifles other blacks clambered upon the fairly level
+ground until three companies were in readiness to continue the advance.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Again the whistle sounded.  The crowd of prostrate Haussas rose to
+their feet, yelling and shouting as they lurched forward with levelled
+bayonets.  Men fell almost unheeded as the Waffs forced their way
+through the gaps in the barbed wire, and swept right and left to avoid
+the shell craters.  By this means platoons became intermingled, while
+companies overlapped each other, but steadily the onward rush continued.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Askaris in the first line of trenches did not wait.  The sight of
+the tips of the glittering bayonets was too much for their courage.
+Their fire ceased; they turned and scurried over the parados, followed
+by bullets from the Haussas and met by bullets from their German
+task-masters, who had taken the precaution of stiffening their native
+levies with a lead ration should they show signs of weakening.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In this predicament the Askaris halted and faced about.  Already the
+Haussas were astride the first trench and interlocked with the nearmost
+of their foes, the while a German machine gun was playing on the
+combatants with the delightful impartiality that a Hun displays to save
+his own hide.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Temporarily the Haussas' charge was checked.  The machine gun was
+playing havoc with them.  Then, suddenly, the ominous tic-tac ceased,
+while overhead came the pop-pop-pop of the seaplane's automatic gun.
+It was more than the Huns had bargained for.  Some dived into
+underground retreats, others bolted, showing a clean pair of heels to
+the Askaris, who were now resisting valiantly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In the mźlée Wilmshurst found himself attacked by three muscular
+natives, who for some reason did not attempt to fire, but fought with
+their rifles and bayonets.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+One the subaltern shot with the last cartridge in his revolver.
+Hurling the empty weapon at the head of the second&mdash;which the Askari
+avoided by adroitly stepping aside&mdash;Dudley parried a bayonet-thrust
+with the sole weapon at his disposal, a "loaded" trench-stick.  As he
+did so the second native closed, delivering a thrust that drove the
+bayonet through the left sleeve of the subaltern's tunic.  Before the
+man could recover his weapon, Wilmshurst brought the heavy stick down
+upon his fingers.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dropping his rifle the Askari gripped the subaltern's wrist with his
+uninjured right hand, while a third native ran in to drive his bayonet
+through the young officer's chest.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A deafening report sounded close to Wilmshurst's ear; he felt the blast
+of a rifle shot on his cheek, but he had the satisfaction of seeing the
+Askari topple forward and bite the dust.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Wilmshurst settled the third antagonist very effectively by delivering
+a crashing blow with his left upon the point of the Askari's chin.  The
+man relaxed his grip and dropped.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Thanks, Bela Moshi!" exclaimed Wilmshurst, catching sight of the
+sergeant as the latter thrust a fresh clip of cartridges into his
+magazine.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The struggle in this part of the line was now over.  The Haussas were
+engaged in firing shots into the dug-outs to intimidate their German
+occupants.  Fifty or sixty prisoners were being disarmed and rounded
+up, while the wounded had to be given attention.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Wilmshurst, picking up his revolver and reloading it, looked around for
+his brother subalterns.  There was big Jock Spofforth in the act of
+putting a first-aid dressing round a bullet wound in Danvers' arm,
+while Laxdale was sitting on the ground and nursing his left foot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There was no time to make enquiries just then.  It was satisfactory to
+learn that all the officers of "A" Company were alive; those who were
+wounded were making light of their hurts.  On the right flank the
+struggle was still in progress, and until all resistance was at an end
+Wilmshurst had no time for other things.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Acting upon his company commander's orders the subaltern took charge of
+the task of clearing out the dug-outs, while the remaining platoons of
+"A" and "B" Companies re-formed, and hastened to the support of their
+comrades who were still hotly engaged.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If we only had a supply of bombs!" thought Dudley as he watched the
+ineffectual attempt of his men to induce the occupants of a deep
+shelter to surrender.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Half a dozen Haussas were gathered round the entrance firing volleys
+into the cavernous depths, and punctuating the fusillade by
+quaintly-worded threats of what they would do if the Bosh-bosh didn't
+"show hand up one time bery much quick."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Bidding his men be silent, Wilmshurst demanded the surrender of the
+Germans in the dug-out.  Hearing a British officer's voice one of the
+Huns replied defiantly:
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We no surrender make to a schweinhund Englander.  We food haf for six
+week, an' you cannot hurt us."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Can't we, by Jove!" replied Wilmshurst.  "Sergeant, bring along that
+box of bombs."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Bery good, sah," said Bela Moshi, grinning as he hurried away a few
+steps on a phantom errand.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now, then," continued the subaltern.  "I give you one minute to make
+up your minds; if you refuse to surrender we'll blow you to blazes.  I
+take the time from now."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Half a minute passed in absolute silence as far as the vicinity of the
+dug-out was concerned, although three or four hundred yards away the
+desultory firing still continued.  Three quarters of a minute: there
+was a shuffling sound from the subterranean retreat and the guttural
+voice of several Huns engaged in excited debate.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Fifty seconds!" announced Wilmshurst.  "Ten seconds more."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Do not t'row der pomb; we surrender make!" implored a voice.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Out you come, then; one at a time," ordered Dudley.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With his revolver ready for instant action should the Huns display any
+signs of treachery the subaltern awaited the appearance of his
+captives, while the Haussas stood by to back up their young officer
+should necessity arise.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The first to appear was the junior lieutenant, looking very scared.
+Finding that nothing occurred to cause him physical hurt he held his
+arms high above his head, at the same time saying something to his
+unseen companions.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then came Hauptmann von Argerlich, pale-faced under his sun-burnt
+complexion.  He had good cause to feel afraid, for he was by no means
+uncertain that the British possessed a record of his deeds&mdash;deeds that
+might be worthy of the German arms, but certainly would not be regarded
+with any degree of favour by nations with any respectable code of
+honour.  Poisoning wells, for example, was quite a favourite and
+pleasant Hun trick when the perpetrators of the outrage were all able
+to place a safe distance between them and their foes; it was quite
+another matter when the officer responsible for the dastardly deeds was
+a prisoner of war.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Three more Germans followed, and then came a full-faced, double-chinned
+Prussian, wearing an order on his cotton drill uniform.  In his hand he
+held a sheathed sword, the scabbard of which had already been
+unfastened from the slings.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am Commandant Hendrich von Lindenfelt," he announced as captor and
+captive exchanged salutes.  "I make surrender and claim der treatment
+due to der brisoners of war."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That'll be all right," rejoined Wilmshurst.  "Please keep your sword
+until the colonel decides&mdash;I mean, until you are taken to Colonel
+Quarrier of the Nth Waffs.  Are all the German officers here?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes," replied von Lindenfelt.  "All except those who killed and
+wounded are."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am anxious to find a certain individual known as von Gobendorff,"
+continued the British subaltern.  "Can you give me any information
+concerning him?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The oberst seemed considerably taken aback.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I do not know any person so called," he replied after a slight
+hesitation.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Think again, Herr von Lindenfelt," prompted Wilmshurst.  "The man we
+want is von Gobendorff, otherwise known as Robert MacGregor, and is
+known to have belonged to the forces under your command."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Von Lindenfelt shook his head, this time resolutely and defiantly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I do know not," he declared.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was practically useless to press the question.  There were,
+Wilmshurst argued, other means of finding out.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Setting a guard over the prisoners Dudley sent a file of Haussas to
+explore the dug-out.  In less than a minute the corporal returned.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Number one big hole, sah," he reported.  "Me no find no one time man
+in no place."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As a result of this somewhat mystifying intelligence Wilmshurst entered
+the dug-out.  Descending a flight of a dozen wooden steps he gained the
+ante-room, a space fifteen feet in length and about seven in breadth.
+It was absolutely proof against the heaviest gun employed in the German
+East campaign, while, as a safeguard against bombs that might be lobbed
+into their retreat, the door of the second room was protected by a wall
+of sandbags backed with massive slabs of African teak.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+By the aid of flaming brands held by the blacks Wilmshurst was able to
+make a rapid, but none the less complete examination of the shelter.
+Evidently it was the headquarters dug-out, judging by the smashed
+telephone, the pile of broken instruments, and the heap of paper ash
+that littered the floor.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At the subaltern's order the blacks prodded the walls with their
+bayonets and hammered the floor with the butt ends of their rifles, but
+no suspicion of the existence of a concealed "funk-hole" was to be
+traced.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Precious little here," commented Wilmshurst.  "I'll have to keep the
+place open for the colonel's inspection, I suppose."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Regaining the open air he posted a sentry over the entrance and,
+collecting the German prisoners, awaited the arrival of the C.O.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+By this time all resistance on the summit of M'ganga was over.  Away to
+the north-east came occasional reports of rifle-firing, showing that
+the Pathans and the Rhodesian horse were engaging the fugitives.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The one fly in the ointment was the escape of von Gobendorff.  There
+was, of course, the possibility that he had been shot or had contrived
+to slip away during the action.  In the latter case he had the cordon
+of troops to take into consideration; but knowing the wiliness of the
+man and the fluency with which he spoke English, Dudley began to feel
+rather dubious concerning the Hun's apprehension.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Otherwise the brilliant little affair was highly successful.
+Practically the whole of von Linderfelt's staff had been either killed
+or captured; most of the Germans in the firing-line had shared a
+similar fate, while the surviving Askaris were either captured or had
+escaped in small numbers through the lines of the encircling forces.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Von Lindenfelt had not counted upon the use of light artillery against
+his strong position, but the fire of the mountain batteries, assisted
+by the seaplane's bombs, had proved terribly destructive.  Of the
+4.1-inch guns mounted for the defence not one remained intact, their
+destruction materially helping the Waffs in their frontal attack.  A
+considerable quantity of military stores also fell into the hands of
+the victors, much of the booty being found upon examination to have
+been sent to German East Africa during the last three months.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As a result of the operation a large hostile column operating in the
+neighbourhood of the Rovuma had ceased to exist.  There were other
+roving forces still in the district, and against these the Haussas were
+to operate in conjunction with other detachments.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's all right when we catch Fritz sitting," remarked Spofforth.  "The
+trouble is that he strongly objects to be caught.  We'll have to chase
+him from the Rovuma to Kilimanjaro and back before we square up this
+business."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And, even then, corner him in Cape Town," added Danvers facetiously.
+"I can see myself spending my seventieth birthday on this job."
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap13"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XIII
+</H3>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+THE FUGITIVE
+</H4>
+
+<P>
+On the evening of the capture of M'ganga a white man, fatigued and
+desperately hungry, stood irresolute upon the banks of the Kiwa River,
+roughly forty miles from the scene of the Waffs' successful operations.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It would have been a difficult matter to recognise in the jaded man the
+once well-set-up individual known in certain quarters as Robert
+MacGregor; nor was there much resemblance between the fugitive and the
+German secret service agent, Ulrich von Gobendorff&mdash;yet the man was
+none other than he whom the officers of the Haussa regiment
+particularly wished to lay by the heels.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+By a series of hair-breadth escapes von Gobendorff had succeeded in
+making his way past the Pathan infantry picquets.  For twenty minutes
+he had crouched up to his neck in the miasmatic waters of a forest
+pool, with thousands of mosquitoes buzzing round his unprotected head,
+while a patrol of the Rhodesian Light Horse halted within twenty yards
+of his place of concealment.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And now, with a strip of linen tied round his head, a ragged cotton
+shirt, a pair of "shorts" that were hardly any protection from the
+thorny cacti, and a pair of badly-worn "veldt schoen" as the sum total
+of his clothing and footgear von Gobendorff awaited the fall of night
+in the depths of a tropical forest.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+His limbs were covered with scratches that were causing him intense
+pain and irritation; his face was swollen under the attacks of
+mosquitoes, until his bloodshot eyes were hardly visible above his
+puffed up cheeks.  Unarmed with the exception of an automatic pistol,
+he was about to brave the dangers of a night 'midst malarial mists and
+wild beasts of an African forest.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As the sun sank von Gobendorff collected a heap of wood and leaves and
+kindled a fire.  For the present he judged that he was practically free
+from pursuit.  In any case he would take the risk of lighting a fire.
+It was not likely that British patrols would be wandering through the
+dense tropical vegetation during the hours of darkness.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Under the wide-spreading branches of a baobab the Hun was able to make
+one fire serve his purpose.  Ordinarily he would have lighted three or
+four at a distance of five or six yards from each other, and thus found
+comparative immunity from the attacks of lions and hippos, but the
+baobab&mdash;it reminded him of a certain incident when he was "attached" to
+the Haussas&mdash;was able to protect both rear and flank from the voracious
+assaults of any four-footed creatures.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As the fire blazed brightly von Gobendorff consumed his last ration&mdash;a
+small cube of highly-concentrated food, which he had in his possession
+on the development of the attack on M'ganga.  Throughout his flight,
+although tormented with the pangs of hunger, he had resolutely refused
+to draw upon his scanty commissariat.  And now it was eaten: for the
+rest of his journey he would have to depend upon his wits to obtain
+food.  Rather grimly he reflected that an automatic .302, although an
+efficient "man-stopper" in a <I>mźlée</I>, was not to be compared with a
+rifle as a means of procuring food.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Although inured to exposure in a tropical country von Gobendorff was
+feeling severely the effect of the sun upon his insufficiently
+protected limbs.  In the rapidly cooling air his blistered skin was
+stretched so tightly that every movement of his neck, arms and legs
+gave him intense pain.  The mosquitoes, owing to the glare of the
+burning wood, had ceased their attacks, but the effect of their
+previous onslaughts was greatly in evidence.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Slowly and carefully lying down on a pile of broad leaves the Hun tried
+to fall asleep, but in vain.  Racked in every limb, his head throbbing
+as if it harboured a rapidly working piston, he endured&mdash;waiting for
+the dawn that would give him no respite from his torments.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Presently the denizens of the forest began their nocturnal activities.
+In the sluggishly-flowing river hippopotami floundered noisily.
+Elephants crashed through the brushwood making their way to the water,
+while at intervals rhinoceri and bush-cows charged blindly past the
+fiercely burning fire.  Von Gobendorff was in a big game hunter's
+paradise, but he failed utterly to show enthusiasm at the prospect.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At intervals he crawled to his reserve stock of fuel to replenish the
+fire, knowing that if he allowed the comforting and protecting flame to
+die out he stood an almost certain chance of falling a victim to a
+four-footed foe.  Once a large bush-cow thundered almost through the
+blazing logs, bellowing frantically as a panther with its claws deeply
+dug into the huge brute's hide was remorselessly tearing at the throat
+of its prey.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Monkeys, too, huge simians looking human-like in the dull red glare,
+came shuffling from the shadow of the neighbouring trees to gaze
+fixedly at the unusual sight of a fire.  Muttering, chattering and
+gesticulating they watched the Hun's bivouac for several minutes until
+the sudden spring of a large cat-like animal claimed one victim and
+sent the rest of the monkeys flying for their lives.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With the first streak of dawn the nocturnal Bacchanalia ceased.  Von
+Gobendorff, who had longed for the break of day in order to resume his
+flight to a supposedly safe refuge in the Karewenda Hills, found
+himself unable to resist the sleep of utter exhaustion, and as the last
+faint wreath of pale grey smoke rose from the dying embers he dropped
+into a deep slumber.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He awoke to find the glade bathed in brilliant sunshine.  The sun was
+almost overhead, while he himself was lying in the dense shadow cast by
+the overspreading branches of the baobab.  Through an opening in the
+otherwise dense foliage he could see the river rippling in the dazzling
+light, while partly hauled up the bank and partly resting between the
+reeds was a canoe&mdash;a dug-out of about twenty-five feet in length.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Himmel!" muttered the German.  "This is indeed good fortune."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The means of crossing the broad Kiwa River was at his command.  He had
+made up his mind on the previous evening to risk a horrible death by
+attempting to swim the stream.  He had seen what appeared to be logs
+drifting silently with the eddying current&mdash;logs that on the approach
+of danger would reveal themselves in their true characters, for the
+river swarmed with hippopotami.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Von Gobendorff was on the point of issuing from his retreat when the
+sound of voices and the rustling of the brushwood warned him that the
+owners of the canoe were returning.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Listening intently he recognised the dialect as that of the Birwas&mdash;a
+native tribe occupying a considerable tract of the hinterland.  He knew
+the language well&mdash;he had the Hun's typical capability of acquiring a
+knowledge of foreign tongues.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Presently the blacks came in sight&mdash;two lithe and stalwart natives
+armed with primitive bow and spear.  One man carried the hindquarters
+of a gnu, the other had a brace of birds dangling from the haft of his
+spear.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With an effort von Gobendorff pulled himself together and strode boldly
+into the open.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Halting, he signed imperiously to the Birwas to approach.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The blacks obeyed promptly.  Experience had taught them to carry out
+the behests of their German masters with the utmost celerity.  With
+every indication of abasement they approached and awaited the white
+man's orders.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Von Gobendorff pointed to the still warm embers of the fire.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I am hungry," he said.  "Get me something to eat and drink, and be
+sharp."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+While one of the Birwas cut strips of flesh from the gnu and spitted
+them on skewers, the other placed more wood on the fire and coaxed it
+into a blaze.  The grilling operation in progress the fire-tender ran
+to the canoe to return with a couple of small gourds of water, some
+dried berries somewhat resembling coffee beans and a flat cake of
+mealie bread.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Von Gobendorff soon discovered that the natives had been serving in the
+German outpost at G'henge, a position overrun and captured by a Sikh
+battalion about three months previously.  They had, they declared, been
+very well treated by their new masters.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The fugitive smiled grimly, immediately wincing as the movement of the
+facial muscles gave him a thrill of pain.  It was evident, he reasoned,
+that the Birwas had mistaken him for an officer of the British forces.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Hardly able to wait until the meal was prepared von Gobendorff turned
+to and ate with avidity, washing down the food with copious draughts of
+hot and far from palatable beverage.  Having refreshed he ordered the
+blacks to hide all traces of his bivouac and made them carry him to the
+canoe.  He realised how imperative it was that he should cover his
+tracks, and by no means the least important measure was to prevent any
+prints of his veldt schoen being discovered on the moist marshland on
+the river bank.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Take me to Kossa," ordered von Gobendorff, naming a small military
+post on the Kiwa about thirty miles down the river, and at a point
+where the stream made a semi-circular bend before running in a
+south-westerly direction to join the Rovuma.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+For the first time the Birwas demurred.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There are strong rapids a little distance down stream," declared one.
+"We are not skilled in working a canoe.  Can we not take you across to
+our village, where there are plenty of men who will paddle you to
+Kossa?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My word," said von Gobendorff, "is law."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+To add greater emphasis to his words he produced his automatic pistol.
+The argument was conclusive.  With every indication of fear the two
+natives pushed off, and seizing the paddles they propelled the unwieldy
+craft down stream.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Compared with his previous mode of travelling the Hun found the journey
+bordering almost upon the luxurious.  He would have preferred a
+cushion, a double helmet and a sun-umbrella with a canopy thrown in,
+but reflecting that he was fortunate in being able to tackle the Kiwa
+without having to resort to swimming, he endured the glare with
+comparative equanimity.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Concerning the perils of the rapids he decided to take his chances.  It
+was just possible that the Birwas had lied, hoping to deter him from
+his purpose.  That they were fairly experienced in the art of canoeing
+was evident by the way in which they skilfully avoided the numerous
+hippopotami, their broad-bladed paddles entering the water without the
+faintest suspicion of a splash.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Whenever, as frequently happened, the canoe passed a native village von
+Gobendorff, no doubt with the loss of a certain amount of prestige,
+took up a position at full length at the bottom of the canoe, strictly
+warning his boatmen that they were to maintain absolute silence as far
+as his presence was concerned.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The canoe had barely passed a small collection of huts when the two
+Birwas began to jabber vociferously, pointing at an object a hundred
+yards ahead.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Why this noise?" demanded von Gobendorff, who understood the cause of
+the conversation.  "You have passed dozens of 'river-cows' before?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"This one is awake and furious," replied one of the natives.  "We
+sought to keep to the bank, and the animal has seen us."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Hun sat up and drew his pistol.  A brief glance on either hand
+showed that there were no signs of escape by running the canoe ashore.
+The banks were here quite twenty feet in height, precipitous and topped
+with dense vegetation.  There was deep water close to land, while in
+mid-stream a mud-bank just showed above the swirling current.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Go on!" he ordered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The men plied their paddles vigorously.  Although the
+heavily-constructed canoe was incapable of any great speed, and was
+also undermanned, the commotion of the paddles and the frantic shouts
+of the two blacks made up for the lack of manoeuvring powers.  The
+hippo dived.  The canoe shot past.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Von Gobendorff breathed freely, but he was too premature.  The
+hippopotamus reappeared amidst a smother of foam.  Its wide-open jaws
+closed up on the gunwale of the dug-out.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The canoe listed dangerously.  The Birwas still further endangered its
+stability by standing upright and raining absolutely ineffectual blows
+with their paddles upon the armour-plated head of the amphibian.  The
+air in the vicinity of the heeling craft was thick with spray and
+flying fragments of woodwork.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Raising his pistol von Gobendorff placed the muzzle within an inch of
+the hippo's right eye, and fired two shots in quick succession.  Then,
+without waiting to observe the effect, he put two bullets into the
+animal's left eye.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With a stupendous jerk that dipped the badly shattered gunwale under
+the water the hippo relaxed its grip and disappeared.  Whether mortally
+wounded or not there were no means of ascertaining, but the brute was
+seen no more.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Throwing their paddles into the bottom of the canoe the two natives,
+crouching on the uninjured side to keep the jagged hole above the
+surface, plied their gourds frantically in order to get rid of the
+quantity of water that had poured over the gunwale.  This task having
+been completed von Gobendorff noticed with a certain amount of
+apprehension that the freeboards betwixt the edge of the gaping hole
+and the water was less than four inches.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In the excitement of the encounter the Hun had overlooked the fact that
+already the canoe was within the influence of the rapids.  The Birwas
+had spoken truly&mdash;there were cataracts; what was more there was now no
+means of avoiding them.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The banks on either hand were still steep and precipitous, while,
+undermanned, the heavy canoe could not be propelled against the stream,
+the speed of which exceeded five miles per hour and was steadily
+increasing as the rapids drew nearer and nearer.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The thunder of the foaming water could now be heard distinctly, as the
+canoe, held in the inexorable grip of the swirling torrent, swayed
+towards the danger.  The two natives realised their peril.  Their black
+faces were suffused with an ashy grey hue; their eyes were wide open
+with fear.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Paddle backwards!" ordered von Gobendorff, knowing that to attempt to
+turn the canoe would mean both loss of time and increased chances of
+being immediately swamped.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With every muscle strained to its utmost capacity the Birwas strove
+desperately to back up-stream.  Anxiously von Gobendorff kept his eyes
+fixed upon a mark in the bank.  For a few minutes he watched&mdash;then he
+muttered curses under his breath.  The canoe was slowly yet surely
+losing ground.  He was fully aware that, apart from its damaged
+condition, the cumbersome craft stood no possible chance of escape in
+the maelstrom-like eddies of the rapids, unless by sheer good fortune
+combined with the skill of the two natives the canoe could be made to
+avoid the jagged rocks between which the waters of the Kiwa rushed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Suddenly the German caught sight of a huge teak-tree that, having been
+uprooted, was trailing over the banks.  It was a faint chance, but von
+Gobendorff decided to risk it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Raising his hand he pointed towards the tree-trunk.  Already the roar
+of the water made it impossible for the Birwas to hear him speak.  The
+men nodded and again began to ply their paddles vigorously, keeping
+close to the border between the main stream and a back-eddy by this
+part of the right bank.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With a quick turn of his broad blade the bowman urged the canoe's bows
+diagonally against the mass of timber.  Caught by the full force of the
+current the dug-out swung round, crashed against the tree and, listing,
+was immediately swamped by the inrush of water.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Von Gobendorff leapt to safety.  With cat-like agility he swarmed up
+the inclined bank.  Here he stood and waited, watching the efforts of
+the two natives to save themselves.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The bowman had succeeded in getting astride the massive log and was
+endeavouring to extricate his companion from the peril that threatened
+him, for the other had been thrown out of the canoe and was pinned
+between the tree and the side of the water-logged craft.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In spite of the Birwa's most strenuous efforts the trapped man was
+unable to extricate himself from the vice-like grip, for edges of the
+jagged hole in the canoe's side were pressing hard against his thigh,
+while the canoe itself, forced against the tree-trunk by the
+swiftly-running current, could not be moved in spite of the combined
+efforts of the two blacks.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A third man would have made all the difference.  The trapped Birwa
+raised his eyes appealingly to the white man, but von Gobendorff
+stirred not so much as a little finger.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Hun, having no further use for the natives, was merely awaiting the
+catastrophe that would effectually cover his tracks.  Without the need
+of further aid from the Birwas he was now within measurable distance of
+the Karewenda Hills.  Another six hours ought to find him in at least
+the temporary shelter of the German fortified post of Twashi.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With a sardonic expression on his face von Gobendorff waited and
+watched.  For a full five minutes the grim struggle was maintained.
+The trapped Birwa's strength was fast failing.  Already greatly
+exhausted by his strenuous work with the paddle he was rapidly
+collapsing under the strain.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Suddenly he relaxed his grip.  The water-logged canoe dipped, and was
+swept under the tree, taking with it the doomed native, whose last
+despairing cry was drowned in the roar of the rushing river.  For a few
+moments the surviving Birwa remained kneeling on the inclined mass of
+timber, trembling in every limb, then, slowly and with every sign of
+temerity he began to make his way up the trunk to dry land.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Raising his pistol the Hun fired straight at the man's head.  The
+Birwa's arms collapsed, he fell at full length upon the rounded mass of
+timber, and, slipping sideways, toppled inertly into the foaming
+torrent.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hamba gachle!" exclaimed von Gobendorff, using a Zulu expression that
+he had picked up in his many and diverse wanderings through South and
+Central Africa.  "Dead men tell no tales, and you were in my way."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then, recharging the magazine of his automatic pistol, the German
+turned, and, setting his face towards the north-west, strode rapidly
+towards the Karewenda Hills.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap14"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XIV.
+</H3>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+ON THE TRACK
+</H4>
+
+<P>
+"Mr. Wilmshurst, I shall require you to proceed on special service,"
+said Colonel Quarrier.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Very good, sir," replied Dudley promptly, and awaited the C.O.'s
+instructions.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was the evening of the fall of M'ganga.  The prisoners had been
+collected and were about to be sent under escort to Kilwa.  Fully under
+the impression that he was to be detailed for this monotonous but
+necessary duty Wilmshurst had reported himself to his colonel, but to
+his intense satisfaction he soon found that such was not the C.O.'s
+intention.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Concerning this MacGregor-Gobendorff fellow," continued Colonel
+Quarrier.  "It seems as if he has slipped through our fingers.  We have
+been robbed of much of the satisfaction of capturing the position on
+that account.  The Rhodesian Light Horse patrols are all back and
+report no luck as far as the capture of von Gobendorff is concerned,
+and the same applies to the Indian troops.  From some of the prisoners
+we learnt that the fellow slipped away during the preliminary
+bombardment, and that he was not mounted.  I have arranged with Colonel
+Mopesson, of the Light Horse, for a mounted patrol to be sent in
+pursuit, and since it is desirable for some one to identify the Hun&mdash;it
+sounds like counting our chickens before they are hatched, by the
+bye&mdash;I propose that you accompany the Rhodesians."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, sir," replied the subaltern.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Very good.  You have half an hour to make preparations," resumed the
+C.O.  "Take a batman with you&mdash;a man who can ride well.  You will
+rejoin your battalion at Kossa in three days' time, circumstances
+permitting."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Wilmshurst saluted and withdrew to make his brief preparations.  Having
+given Tari Barl instructions to pack his kit the subaltern sent for
+Sergeant Bela Moshi.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Find me a man who can ride well," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A broad grin overspread the Haussa non-com.'s face.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No go for look, sah," he replied.  "Me know one time quick.  Good man;
+him ride like de wind."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Then bring him here," continued Wilmshurst.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Him here, sah&mdash;me, Bela Moshi."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I didn't know that you could ride," remarked the subaltern dubiously,
+fancying that Bela Moshi in his desire to accompany him was inventing a
+fairy tale concerning his equestrian abilities.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Me one-time groom in Freetown, sah," declared Bela Moshi.  "Me lib for
+ride any old hoss till him bust."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'll try you," announced Wilmshurst.  "If you are wasting my time look
+out for squalls."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At the lines where the horses were picketed the Haussa picked out a
+powerful-looking brute&mdash;a "salted" Cape horse which had shown
+considerable temper at previous times.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Vaulting upon the animal Bela Moshi rode it barebacked, urging it at a
+gallop and finishing by taking a formidable obstacle in the shape of a
+cactus-bush.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"How can do, sah?" he asked.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Good enough," replied Wilmshurst.  "Cut off and pack your kit.  We
+have only ten minutes."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Well within the time specified the Haussa was ready for the trek, his
+kit consisting of a blanket, rifle and ammunition, a haversack and his
+cooking utensils.  In addition he carried his master's water-filter and
+a light waterproof tent weighing together with the socketed poles a
+little over two pounds.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Good luck, old man!" exclaimed Spofforth, as his brother subaltern
+rode off to join the patrol.  "Kindest regards to MacGregor when you
+meet him.  Tell him how awfully delighted all of us will be to see him."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Wilmshurst's new comrades were all men of the Rhodesian farmer type,
+well set-up, sturdy, independent and resourceful&mdash;a band of chums
+voluntarily taken from their homesteads to render them immune from
+invasion by tackling the Hun on his own ground.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+All were splendidly mounted on horses inured to the miasmic climate,
+"led" animals carrying their necessary equipment.  Each man knew how to
+take care of himself.  He knew only the elementary principles of drill,
+but was none the less a very tough proposition for a Hun to tackle.
+Skilled in woodcraft and travelling, able to cover great distances with
+the minimum of fatigue, and capable of going on short rations without
+loss of efficiency the Rhodesians were ideal men for the work on hand.
+One and all had a score to wipe off; though few, if any, had fallen in
+with von Gobendorff they deeply resented the Hun's audacity in posing
+as a Rhodesian, while those who were of Scots descent and bore Scottish
+names were highly indignant at the idea of a German adopting the
+honourable and ancient cognomen of MacGregor.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Through the far-flung Pathan outposts they passed and rode into the
+night.  Scores of Askaris, who had thrown away their arms, signified
+their willingness to surrender.  Some were questioned concerning the
+flight of von Gobendorff, their replies confirming the reports of the
+prisoners taken at M'ganga; and the surrendered men were ordered to
+return and give themselves up to the Indian troops, since the main
+objective of the patrol was the pursuit of the spy, von Gobendorff.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+That night the patrol bivouacked a short distance from a native kraal,
+the inhabitants of which gave them a warm, demonstrative and noisy
+welcome, at the same time providing them with a goat, plenty of mealies
+and water.  Enquiries elicited the information that a party of
+villagers had seen a white man hurrying through the bush, and
+fortunately had not given any indication of their presence.  According
+to the natives' report the fugitive was making in a north-westerly
+direction.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"He'll have his work cut out to cross the Kiwa," declared the sergeant
+of the patrol.  "The river's pretty full just now and swarms of hippos.
+I doubt whether he'll tackle it at night."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"In that case we'll boot and saddle an hour before sunrise," declared
+Wilmshurst.  "My man, Bela Moshi, will be able to follow the spoor like
+a cat....  Oh, yes, light as many fires as you like.  Von Gobendorff is
+too far away to see the glare."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The night passed quietly.  Although there were wild animals prowling
+round they kept a respectful distance.  Men in pairs took turn in
+keeping watch, their comrades lying wrapped in blankets, with their
+feet towards the fire, each with his loaded rifle by his side.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+After a good meal, consisting of roast goat's-flesh, millet bread and
+hot chocolate, the trek was resumed, the Haussa following the spoor
+with the sagacity and skill of a sleuth-hound until it was light enough
+to enable the Rhodesians to follow up the trail.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+After a distance of five miles had been covered the patrol halted in
+perplexity, for, seemingly from nowhere another spoor joined that of
+the one they were following.  There were distinct imprints of two men
+walking&mdash;one wearing veldt-schoen, the other the heavy marching boot
+supplied to the German colonial units.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The latter was of slightly recent origin, as witnessed by the fact that
+here and there the footprints of the boots had partly obliterated those
+of the veldt-schoen.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It strikes me we've only just tumbled on the right spoor," declared a
+Rhodesian.  "Of the two I should imagine von Gobendorff was wearing
+military boots.  I suppose you didn't happen to notice what he wore
+while he was attached to the Waffs?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Boots and gaiters," replied Wilmshurst.  "But, of course, that was
+some time ago."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And boots are scarce in this show," rejoined the other tentatively.
+"When a man gets used to wearing a certain pair he's not likely to
+discard them in a hurry.  I'll bet that is von Gobendorff's trail."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And the other?" asked Dudley.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A nigger might be wearing veldt-schoen," suggested another Rhodesian.
+"Perhaps he looted them, and in his natural vanity, decided to put them
+on instead of slinging them round his neck.  In my experience I find
+that a native 'boy' will wear veldt-schoen, but he'll draw the line at
+boots."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"In any case," remarked Wilmshurst, "the two spoors lead the same way,
+so we'll carry on."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Half a mile further the tracks separated, the older ones continuing
+straight on, those of the boots breaking away to the left.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+After a brief debate the pursuers decided to follow the latter spoor.
+This they followed for another four miles until it vanished on an
+expanse of hard, sun-baked ground.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We're close to the Kiwa," announced one of the patrol, who had pushed
+on ahead for fifty yards.  "There's a kraal over yonder, and I can see
+the water between the trees."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Into the native village the pursuers rode, to hear a tale of woe from
+the headman.  An armed German had passed through not an hour
+previously.  He had demanded food and native beer; he had made no
+attempt to pay for the articles, and out of sheer mischief had set fire
+to a hut.  Commandeering a canoe he had compelled the natives to ferry
+him across the river, and the four blacks who manned the craft had just
+returned with the news that he had gone into the bush.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What was the German like?" asked a Rhodesian, who spoke the language
+of the natives with the utmost fluency.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The headman began to give an elaborate and detailed description, but it
+was soon evident that the pursuers were on the wrong track.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Dash it all!" exclaimed Wilmshurst impetuously.  "We've lost the
+fellow&mdash;what's that, Bela Moshi?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Go ober dem water one-time quick, sah; den you catch Bosh-bosh as him
+go for run away."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's a smart idea," declared Dudley, never backward in giving credit
+for other persons' ideas.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Quite good," agreed the section commander of the patrol.  "Over we go;
+the horses will have to swim."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Borrowing a couple of canoes the pursuers stepped into the cumbersome
+craft, four men in each had their loaded rifles ready to fire at any
+hippos that might attack the horses; the others, grasping the reins of
+the well-trained animals, guided them across.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The passage of the Kiwa&mdash;which was here about one hundred and twenty
+yards in breadth&mdash;was performed without mishap, in spite of the fact
+that the current ran at a speed of two knots, for the spot where the
+crossing was effected was two miles below the rapids that had all but
+claimed von Gobendorff as a victim.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Just as the second canoe was running aground one of the natives uttered
+a cry of surprise, and pointed to a water-logged dug-out drifting
+broadside on down stream.  It was a prize well worth having, and
+without waiting to put Wilmshurst and the rest of the passengers ashore
+the blacks paddled out and secured the derelict.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Golly, sah!" exclaimed the Haussa sergeant.  "Him canoe have one-time
+man alive.  Now him dead as mutton."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Lying on the bottom of the canoe with his head raised above the water
+was a native.  As the rescuing craft ran alongside the man opened his
+eyes.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The call of humanity having a prior claim to the importance of the
+pursuit Wilmshurst and the Rhodesians rendered all the aid in their
+power to revive the badly-wounded man.  Examination showed that he had
+been shot at close range by a small-bore high velocity bullet.  The
+missile had scraped his right ear, and entering at the shoulder had
+emerged just above the third rib.  It was a nasty wound, but with
+ordinary attention it ought not to prove fatal.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Finding that he was being well treated the injured man recovered
+sufficiently to explain what had occurred.  There was no mistaking the
+description of his assailant&mdash;also another crime had been added to the
+list against Ulrich von Gobendorff, that of attempted murder.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"So the blighter is making for Twashi," remarked Wilmshurst, consulting
+his field service map.  "That's well up in the Karewenda Hills.  We may
+head him off even yet."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Mounting, the patrol, their energies quickened by the evidence of this
+latest Hunnish atrocity, set off at a gallop across the comparatively
+open country betwixt the Kiwa and the base of the Karewenda Hills.  Woe
+betide von Gobendorff should he be spotted by one of the lynx-eyed
+Rhodesians.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap15"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XV
+</H3>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+RESCUED
+</H4>
+
+<P>
+It was well into the dry season.  As far as the eye could reach lay an
+expanse of sun-baked ground dotted with scrub and parched grass,
+terminating in the rugged outlines of the Karewenda Geberge.  In the
+clear African atmosphere the hills, although a good forty miles
+distant, looked no more than ten or twelve miles away.  With a powerful
+telescope an outpost on the high ground ought to be able to spot the
+khaki-clad horsemen as they spurred across the bush.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The patrol had no immediate intention of following the fugitive's
+spoor.  Their idea was to cut off his retreat by keeping on a parallel
+route until they had out-distanced him, and then, by extending to the
+right, to achieve their object.  It was a game of hide-and-seek on a
+large scale&mdash;a contest of wits.  Around the spot where the Hun was
+supposed to be an extended cordon was being formed.  It was up to him
+to break through&mdash;if he could, but once detected he stood little chance
+against a well-mounted patrol composed of some of the crack shots of
+Rhodesia.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We've cut across his spoor," announced one of the men.  "Jones has
+just semaphored through.  We've nabbed him this time."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The order was passed from man to man for the investing horsemen to
+contract the enfolding circle.  Each man, his rifle ready for instant
+use, trotted towards an imaginary centre, the while keeping his eyes on
+the alert for signs of the fugitive.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then, without warning, a column of smoke, beaten down by the strong
+northerly wind, rose from the scrub at a point a good two miles off.
+In a very short space of time the cloud increased in density of volume,
+moving with the rapidity of a trotting horse.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At the signal the patrol closed.  The situation was serious, for not
+only were the chances of a successful pursuit knocked on the head, but
+there was the danger of the men being overtaken by the flames.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Start another fire down wind," suggested one of the Rhodesians.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The horses won't stand it," objected another.  "They're getting jumpy
+already."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The man spoke truly.  The animals, scenting danger, were becoming
+restless.  The order was therefore given to mount, and the patrol
+galloped back in the direction of the Kiwa River, never drawing rein
+until they reached a ford two miles below the spot where they had
+crossed earlier in the day.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So swift was the advance of the bush-fire that the scrub on the
+furthermost bank was ablaze within twenty minutes of the time when the
+patrol recrossed the river, while right and left for miles the ground
+was covered with fiercely roaring flames.  Clouds of black and brownish
+smoke swept across the stream, red hot embers mingling with the eddying
+vapour.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The patrol held their ground, keeping their horses under control by
+adopting the expedient of covering the horses' heads with blankets.
+With the possibility of the bush on their side of the river taking fire
+this was the safest course to pursue short of a forty mile ride across
+difficult country with the devouring element hard at their heels.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Mingled with the roar of the flames came the frequent crashes of
+falling trees, and the hiss of blazing embers as they fell into the
+water.  The heat was terrific, while at times the smoke was so dense
+and suffocating that the men had the greatest difficulty to breathe.
+Elephants, bush-cows, rhinoceri and swarms of smaller animals,
+stampeded by the flames, plunged panic-stricken into the river, taking
+no notice of the men as they dashed past them.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+For two hours the ordeal lasted, then, having consumed everything of a
+combustible nature the fire burnt itself out.  Almost miraculously the
+flames had failed to gain a hold upon the scrub on the nearmost bank.
+The river had formed the furthermost limit, but across the stream as
+far as the eye could reach there was nothing to be seen but an expanse
+of blackened thorn-bushes, from which a faint bluish vapour rose in the
+now still and sultry air.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nothing more doing to-day, boys," declared the leader of the patrol.
+"We'll bivouac close to the village and try our luck to-morrow.  Ground
+will be cool enough by then, I reckon."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Von Gobendorff won't stand much chance in that," remarked another,
+indicating the devastated ground.  "We may find his remains.  That'll
+be some satisfaction."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Unless he started the fire," added Wilmshurst.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But we were surrounding his hiding-place," declared the first speaker.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We believe we were," continued the subaltern.  "It's just likely that
+we missed his spoor, and that he was to windward of us.  The fire may
+have started spontaneously, but it's my belief that von Gobendorff
+fired the grass."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At daybreak on the following morning the patrol recrossed the river.
+With a heavy dew still upon the ground the devastated track gave the
+horses no inconvenience, although the air was heavy with the pungent
+smell of charred wood.  In extended order they followed the track which
+the fugitive had been reported to have taken until they arrived at the
+further-most limit of the fire.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Each man as he closed in the centre made the same report&mdash;nothing had
+been seen of the body of the much-sought-after Hun.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We've drawn a blank, it seems," remarked Wilmshurst.  "There's nothing
+for it but to carry on until either we overtake him or come in touch
+with the enemy patrols.  We've a clear twenty-four hours before we
+rejoin our regiment."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Mile after mile the patrol rode, but not the faintest trace of von
+Gobendorff's line of flight was to be seen.  Whether he was alive or
+dead was a mystery yet unsolved.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Towards midday they arrived at a kraal situated in a vast semi-circular
+expanse of open ground bounded on three sides by scarps of the
+Karewenda Hills.  The greatest caution was now necessary, the task of
+the patrol, failing von Gobendorff's capture, being to find out whether
+the lower slopes of the hill were held in force or only lightly so.  If
+possible there was to be an avoidance of an exchange of shots with
+hostile outposts, but in any case the Rhodesians were to withdraw at
+the first sign of opposition.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The headman of the kraal, like most of his kind, was very
+communicative.  Already the natives were appreciating the change of
+masters, for under German rule their lot was a hard one, forced labour
+and scanty or often no remuneration being the order of things.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He had seen no one answering to von Gobendorff's description, but he
+gave other information.  The Germans were withdrawing their forces to a
+position on the northern slopes of the hills, and had already destroyed
+two guns which they were unable to remove from an abandoned redoubt
+about five miles to the east of the kraal.  He also said that a German
+patrol escorting a white prisoner had passed along a native path at
+less than a mile of the village only an hour or so previously.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Questioned further the headman replied that the prisoner was not a
+"warrior"&mdash;meaning that he was not dressed in military uniform&mdash;and
+that for several months past he had been kept in captivity in the now
+abandoned fort.  Several of the villagers had seen him when they went
+to dig earthworks for the Huns.  In their hurried retirement the
+Germans had overlooked the fact that they had a prisoner, and the
+patrol had been sent back to bring him in.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"How many men?" asked Wilmshurst, one of the Rhodesians translating the
+question and its reply.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Four white soldiers and ten Askaris, O chief," replied the headman.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Good enough," exclaimed Wilmshurst.  "We ought to be able to settle
+that crowd and release the prisoner."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The headman willingly allowed two natives to point out to the patrol
+the path which the Huns had taken.  A reference to the map showed that,
+allowing the hostile patrol two hours' start, an ambush could be
+arranged at a spot four miles distant where the path crossed a spruit.
+It was unpleasantly close to one of the still occupied enemy outposts,
+but with quickness and decision the coup ought to be accomplished
+without much difficulty.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The native guides, although on foot, had no trouble to keep up with the
+mounted men, and when the latter arrived at the place chosen for the
+surprise they found that the Germans were not yet in sight.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dismounted and accompanied by Bela Moshi Wilmshurst made his way along
+the side of the track until he came in touch with the hostile party.
+The Huns, suspecting nothing, were resting.  Two Askaris had been
+posted as sentries, but they, too, were lax, little thinking that there
+was any danger of a surprise.  The prisoner was seated at the base of a
+large tree, another Askari mounting guard over him.  His back was
+turned in Wilmshurst's direction, but the subaltern was able to discern
+that the unfortunate man was practically bald-headed and wore a thick,
+straggling beard.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Up to that moment Dudley had been buoyed up by the hope that the
+prisoner might be his brother Rupert, but at the sight of the bent and
+aged figure his anticipations were shattered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We'll have him out of their clutches, at all events," he soliloquised
+as he cautiously signed to Bela Moshi to withdraw.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Regaining the patrol Wilmshurst explained how matters stood, and a
+decision was quickly formed to attack immediately, taking advantage of
+the lax state of the hostile party, without waiting for them to
+approach the previously selected spot for the ambush.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dismounting and leaving their trained horses under the charge of a
+piquet the men cautiously made their way through the scrub until they
+were within eighty yards of the still unsuspecting Huns.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Extending the Rhodesians took up their desired position on a
+semi-circular formation, enabling each one to fire should necessity
+arise without the risk of hitting one of his own party, at the same
+time making it almost a matter of impossibility for the ambushed Huns
+to break away without being shot down.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A whistle sounded.  Up sprang the curved line of khaki-clad troopers,
+each man covering one of the enemy with his rifle, while a stern order
+to surrender immediately was given to the completely astonished Germans.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Askaris obeyed the command without demur, but the Germans were made
+of stiffer material.  Throwing themselves at full length they grasped
+their rifles.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was a signal for the Rhodesians to open fire&mdash;and the Huns paid the
+penalty.  In less than a minute the action was over.  The Askaris were
+unarmed and ordered to take themselves off, their rifles having been
+broken and the bolts removed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Wilmshurst hastened to the prisoner, who at the opening fire had rolled
+on the ground by the side of a fallen tree.  The subaltern found him
+lying face downwards, unable to rise, his wrists and ankles being
+secured by thongs of raw hide.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With a couple of strokes of his knife Dudley severed the bonds and
+assisted the released captive to his feet, for the man was so exhausted
+that he was incapable of standing unsupported.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You're all right now," said the subaltern reassuringly.  "Can you sit
+in a saddle for&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Good heavens!&mdash;Dudley!" exclaimed the gaunt and haggard prisoner.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was Wilmshurst's turn to be dumfounded.  He stepped back a pace and
+looked the rescued man intently in the face.  Was it possible that this
+human wreck was his once well-set-up and powerfully-built brother?
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Rupert!" he exclaimed dubiously.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's me," rejoined the other.  "Rather, what's left of me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Found an old pal?" enquired the patrol-commander, as the Rhodesians
+crowded round the object of their recent operations.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"My brother," replied Dudley.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Good business," was the hearty rejoinder.  "But we must be moving.
+We've alarmed every enemy post within five miles of us."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The patrol hurried back to the spot where they had left their horses,
+Bela Moshi settling the question of how the physically weakened Rupert
+Wilmshurst was to be moved by lifting him in his strong arms.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nothing ob him, sah," confided the Haussa.  "Him weight of one-time
+porter load."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was an exaggeration of speech on the Haussa's part, for the nominal
+burden of a Coast porter is roughly sixty pounds, but Rupert's weight
+had decreased from a normal "twelve seven" to a little over seven
+stones.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With the utmost dispatch the patrol remounted.  Bela Moshi gave up his
+steed to "Massa Wimst's brudder" and rode one of the led horses.  In
+single file the men retraced their course, maintaining a steady trot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As they entered the kraal where the headman had given them such
+important information they found the natives in a state of agitated
+turmoil.  The Huns had by some means discovered that these "black
+subjects of his Imperial Majesty the German Emperor" had entertained a
+hostile patrol, for within twenty minutes of the departure of
+Wilmshurst and his companions a party of Askaris, commanded by a German
+officer, had visited the village.  By way of punishment half a dozen
+huts had been burnt and an indemnity of fifty goats and a hundred
+litres of corn demanded, the headman and five other principal
+inhabitants being seized as hostages.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+So great was the faith of the blacks in the "white soldiers of King
+George" that they rose <I>en masse</I>, liberated the hostages and drove the
+Askaris from their village.  But the trouble was far from over, for
+native scouts reported a concentration of German troops on the
+south-eastern side of the village, while other Askari battalions were
+debouching from the north-east, having been hurriedly sent from one of
+the fortified posts on the Karewenda Hills.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And so our line of retreat is cut," remarked Dudley.  "Very well;
+we'll have to fight to a finish."
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap16"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XVI
+</H3>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+'GAINST HEAVY ODDS
+</H4>
+
+<P>
+The Rhodesians were men of few words.  They were men of action; of the
+same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against
+thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the
+last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears
+of Lobengula's warriors.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The enemies that were threatening them were of a worse type.  The
+Askaris, naturally ferocious, were under German command, and the
+German, whenever he is confident that he is on the winning side,
+exhibited all the brutality and cruelty of his Hunnish ancestors.
+Attila was a scourge; his modern descendants are simply imitators who,
+having the thin veneer of civilisation, combine science with bestial
+brutality in their methods of waging war.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Two of the troopers who were acquainted with the native dialect
+proceeded to place the village under a rough form of organisation.  In
+spite of the severe restrictions laid upon the natives by their German
+taskmasters&mdash;amongst others they were not allowed to carry arms&mdash;the
+blacks managed to produce long-secreted numbers of spears, bows and
+arrows and a few antiquated smooth-bore muskets.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Men were sent into the bush to cut down thorns and sharpened stakes.
+These were set up in front of the existing stockade, the inner side of
+which was still further strengthened by earth thrown up from a trench
+three feet from its base.  "Panjies" or sharpened bamboos were set
+obliquely from the foot of the stockade, on the outside, to check a
+rush at close quarters; the stockade itself, forming no protection
+against modern rifle-fire, was to be used merely as an obstacle, the
+defenders seeking cover in the ditch and behind the embankment formed
+from the excavated material.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Hardly were these preparations completed when the shrill notes of a
+bugle rang out, and a mounted officer, followed by a native orderly
+bearing a white flag, appeared from the cover afforded by the bush.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Evidently the Huns had more faith in the Briton's respect for the flag
+of truce than they had regard for that emblem in the hands of their
+foes, for after a brief pause the officer, finding that his appearance
+was not greeted with a volley of rifle-bullets, trotted boldly towards
+the closed gate of the stockade.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Halt!" ordered the Rhodesian officer, when the German drew within
+audible distance.  "Deliver your message."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The German, standing in his stirrups, shouted a demand for the instant
+surrender of the garrison, promising honourable treatment if the terms
+were complied with, and stating that the investing troops were fully
+aware of the weak numbers of the British patrol.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You might have spared yourself the trouble, Herr Offizier," replied
+the patrol commander.  "We mean to stick it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Vat you mean by 'stick it'?" demanded the envoy.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"To fight it out," was the grim reply.  "Come on; we're ready."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The German made no further remark to the Rhodesian, but began an
+harangue in the native dialect, inciting the blacks to turn against
+their white allies, promising immunity and rewards.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Stop that!" shouted the patrol commander sternly, raising his voice
+above the angry murmur of the villagers.  "Another word and the flag of
+truce will not protect you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Hun scowled sardonically, and out of sheer bravado resumed his
+incitement to the natives to surrender.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Picking up a rifle the Rhodesian took careful aim at the horse's chest
+at point-blank range.  The weapon barked.  For a moment neither horse
+nor rider stirred, then without warning the animal's forelegs
+collapsed, throwing the Hun headlong in the dust.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The terrified orderly wheeled, and casting aside the white flag, rode
+at full gallop to the shelter of the bush, his hasty and undignified
+retreat being carried out without let or hindrance on the part of the
+defenders of the kraal.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The German officer lay where he fell, the dead steed pinning him down
+as it lay on its side with its hind, off-side leg rigidly extended at
+an oblique angle to the ground.  Partly stunned by his fall the officer
+tried ineffectually to rise; then after a while he relaxed and lay
+motionless in the broiling sun with swarms of mosquitoes buzzing round
+the prostrate horse and rider.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Apart from the advantage of having a prisoner in their possession the
+call of humanity urged the defenders to release and bring in the
+injured Hun.  The barricaded gate was thrown open, and two troopers ran
+to effect the work of mercy.  Even as they bent over the prostrate
+officer and dragged aside the animal's carcass a ragged fire burst from
+the bush at a distance of five hundred yards.  Bullets ricochetted from
+the dusty ground or whizzed unpleasantly close to the men's ears; but
+coolly they proceeded with their task, and, unscathed, regained the
+shelter of the stockade, bearing their prisoner between them.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's von Bohme, second-in-command of the Kelji Post," declared Rupert
+Wilmshurst.  He was too chivalrous to relate the indignities and
+hardships he had suffered at the hands of this Hun in particular.
+"They abandoned the post yesterday.  Unless I'm mistaken they've a
+couple of machine guns with them."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Any field guns?" asked Dudley anxiously.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not to my knowledge," replied his brother.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Thank heaven for that!" rejoined the subaltern fervently.  "Well, how
+do you feel?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Able to use a rifle," answered Rupert grimly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A heavy hostile fire was being maintained from three sides, the bullets
+either flying high&mdash;one of the characteristic faults of African native
+troops&mdash;or else knocking splinters from the timbers forming the
+palisade.  The defenders, lying close, made no attempt to reply, for
+the attackers were adept at taking cover and offered no target to the
+former's fire.  Presently, as Rupert Wilmshurst had predicted, came the
+rat-tat-tat of a machine gun, and a swathe of bullets traversed the
+open ground in front of the defences, rising until the hail of nickel
+simply cut a gap in the palisade like a scythe against the ripe corn.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Between the huts some villagers engaged in driving their goats to a
+more secure spot came under the machine-gun fire, two men being killed
+and four wounded, the herd suffering severely; but these were the only
+casualties, the defenders, both white and black, keeping admirable
+cover.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+For a quarter of an hour the one-sided action was maintained, then
+still under the covering fire of the machine gun a battalion of Askaris
+advanced at the double in company formation <I>en échelon</I>.
+Simultaneously a half-battalion debouched on the opposite side of the
+kraal.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Until the stormers came within four hundred yards their advance was
+covered by the machine guns (for another had joined in the fray), and
+consequently the scanty defenders dare not risk exposure; but the
+moment the covering fire had to cease lest it should cause casualties
+amongst the advancing troops the Rhodesians opened rapid fire at almost
+point blank range.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The front attack stopped dead, the Askaris in open order falling in
+heaps before the accurate fire of the trained Rhodesians.  Despite the
+efforts of their officers to advance the native troops refused to
+stand.  Bolting they were followed by galling volleys until the
+resumption of the deadly machine-fire compelled the defenders to take
+cover.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The rear attack was a more formidable affair, in spite of the fact that
+the enemy force was considerably smaller than that of the frontal
+assault.  Met by fewer rifles, for only a mere handful of white men
+could be told off on that side of the kraal, the Askaris contrived to
+reach the palisade.  It was here that the native auxiliaries proved
+their worth, for with stones, arrows and throwing spears they put up
+such a formidable defence that at close quarters these primitive
+weapons held their own against the rifles and bayonets of the German
+black troops.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+For several moments the contest swayed with varying success until more
+Rhodesians, who could now be spared from the front on which the main
+assault had been repulsed, doubled up and made such good use of their
+rifles that the enemy broke and fled, leaving behind forty or fifty of
+their number lying dead in front of the stockade.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Guess they've had enough," remarked Rupert Wilmshurst, who
+notwithstanding his weak state had played a strong part in the defence.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Doubt it," replied his brother.  "Perhaps they won't make another
+frontal attack while daylight lasts, but when it's dark they'll try
+their luck."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The hours passed slowly.  Occasional bursts of machine-gun fire
+punctuated the continuous rifle-firing from the men concealed in the
+bush.  It was a prodigious waste of ammunition without any good result,
+for the white men were too hardened to be shaken by the moral effect of
+bullets whizzing overhead, while the native warriors, taking the
+pattern set by their allies, showed no signs of fear or panic.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"If we only had a machine-gun," thought Dudley.  "By Jove, I've a mind
+to have a shot at bringing in one of those brutes after dark."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He broached the matter to the patrol commander, who gave permission to
+any of his men to volunteer for the hazardous enterprise.  There was no
+lack of aspirants, for practically every man expressed his wish to take
+part in the sortie.  Finally the subaltern chose three Rhodesians and
+his Haussa sergeant.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Taking a compass bearing of the position of one of the machine-guns,
+for the cloud of steam arising from its overheated water-jacket
+disclosed its place of concealment, Wilmshurst made a careful note of
+the fact for subsequent use.  There was, of course, the possibility of
+the machine-gun being moved as soon as night fell, but that was a risk
+that the sallying party must be prepared to chance.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Darkness came, but the desultory hostile fire was still maintained, the
+bush being pin-pricked with the vivid flashes from the rifles.  It was
+now a nerve-racking ordeal, for more than once the defenders issued
+from their trench and manned the outer palisade under the erroneous
+impression that another attack was developing.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It's a jolly good thing for us that they haven't any bombs," remarked
+the patrol-commander.  "I don't fancy our blacks would stand up to
+them.  By Jove! the villagers have shown any amount of pluck."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"They know that if the kraal's taken, their lives won't be worth a
+brass farthing," rejoined one of the men.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Don't know so much about that," added another.  "They had a chance to
+let us down and save their hides, but they weren't having any."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A meteor-like trail of reddish light whizzing through the air
+interrupted the argument.  Anxiously the defenders watched the course
+of the missile, guessing but not knowing exactly what it was, until
+with a crash it alighted upon the palm thatched roof of a hut about in
+the centre of the kraal.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Several men rushed to the spot, regardless of the flying bullets, with
+the intent on of tearing away the smouldering missile, but before they
+could reach the hut the dull red glow gave place to a vivid bluish
+flame.  The mobile weapon was an incendiary rocket.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In a minute the hut was a mass of flames, the sparks communicating the
+fire to the flimsily-constructed buildings adjoining it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Strenuously the defenders, both white and black, sought to confine the
+devouring element to certain limits by pulling down the huts in the
+vicinity, but other incendiary rockets followed in rapid succession,
+while the fire of the machine-guns redoubled in violence.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The fire-fighters made excellent targets in the fierce light, their
+forms being silhouetted against the blazing huts, yet their losses were
+comparatively few, for the machine guns were badly laid.  Nevertheless,
+before the men could take cover two Rhodesians were badly wounded, a
+dozen villagers killed and thirty odd seriously injured.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In the midst of this turmoil Dudley, whose attention was centred upon
+the enemy, detected a large body of men deploying from the bush.
+Simultaneously other formidable detachments advanced upon the kraal on
+all sides, showing up distinctly in the terrific glare of the burning
+huts.  To add to the horror of the scene native women and children were
+shrieking in terror, and the horses and cattle were neighing and
+bellowing as they instinctively realised the peril that threatened them
+from the rapidly spreading flames.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But for the presence of their black allies the troopers would have
+mounted and ridden straight at their assailants, running a good chance
+of cutting their way out by weight of numbers and the speed of their
+horses; but no thought of abandoning the natives to their fate entered
+the heads of their allies.  It would be a fight to a finish.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Leaving the conflagration to take its course every available man
+hastened to the palisade.  Rapid independent fire delayed but failed to
+check the charge of ferocious, wildly shouting Askaris, whose courage
+had been worked up by promises of rewards if successful, and dire
+punishment in the event of failure.  Full in the blaze of light the
+horde of black faces gave the defenders the impression that they were
+confronting a swarm of demons.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+On both sides rifles cracked, steel crossed steel.  Again spears and
+arrows came into play, while some of the defenders hurled blazing
+faggots with great effect upon the German levies.  Yells, shouts and
+shrieks of pain mingled with the rattle of musketry and the roar of the
+burning huts.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Both sides fought stubbornly and furiously, but with this difference:
+the defenders of the kraal were staking their existence upon the
+result, the attackers, although under severe penalties in the event of
+failure, were not confronted with the supreme decision that awaited
+their foes.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Taking a favourable opportunity Wilmshurst and his squad climbed over
+the palisade at a point where no attack was being made, and dropping to
+the ground doubled in the direction of the now silent machine gun.  It
+was a daring stroke, as it temporarily weakened the little garrison,
+where every rifle counted; but in the event of the raid proving
+successful the possession of the deadly weapon would make all the
+difference between victory and defeat.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Overtaking and avoiding numbers of wounded Askaris and a fair
+sprinkling of Germans painfully making their way back to their lines
+the raiders covered the intervening eight hundred yards in double time.
+At the edge of the scrub the subaltern halted his men in order that
+they might recover their breath.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+They had discarded their rifles.  Dudley and the Rhodesians were armed
+with revolvers, Bela Moshi carrying an automatic pistol, formerly the
+possession of a now defunct Hun, and a long, heavy, keen-edged knife
+resembling the Mexican machete.  Each man knew exactly what was
+required of him, and, what was more, he was capable of carrying it out.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Creeping through the bush and outwitting a couple of Askari sentries
+posted on the right front of the machine gun position the raiders came
+in sight of their coveted prize.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The gun team was standing easy chattering furiously, and paying scant
+attention to the progress of their comrades in the assault.  Bela Moshi
+afterwards declared that they were squabbling over the possession of a
+small keg of rum, which was to them a far more important business than
+the attack upon the kraal.  Their European non-commissioned officer was
+absent, otherwise the laxity of discipline would not have been taking
+place.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Apparently there were no infantry reserves.  If there were, they were
+posted at a considerable distance from the machine gun position.  It
+was, therefore, expedient to make a surprise attack with fire-arms,
+since the noise was immaterial as far as alarming the supports, and
+very efficacious in throwing the machine gunners into a state of
+demoralization.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Of the six Askaris forming the detachment five dropped at the first
+volley; the sixth, after first rolling on the ground, sprang into the
+bush, followed by a couple of shots the effect of which was not known.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Smartly Bela Moshi picked up the gun and tripod; a Rhodesian corporal
+and a trooper seized the box containing the ammunition.  Then, preceded
+by a sergeant and followed by Wilmshurst and the remaining man, the
+raiders bore off their trophy.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Followed by the ineffectual fire of the two sentries the squad doubled.
+By the sounds in the rear it was evident that the alarm had been
+communicated to the reserves, as the hurried patter of bare feet and
+the excited orders of the German section commanders announced that the
+men were aware of the loss of the machine gun.  Musketry fire was
+opened upon the retiring raiders, but in the darkness the shots whizzed
+harmlessly overhead.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The haphazard fire was, however, taking toll amongst the attackers who,
+already casualties, were crawling or walking back from the palisade.  A
+German officer, hit in the left arm, blundered right upon the captured
+weapon and its escort.  For the moment he was puzzled, knowing that
+orders had been issued for the machine-gun party to remain in their
+original position.  Then, distinguishing the British uniform, he drew a
+pistol and shouted to the party to surrender.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Surrender yourself!" exclaimed the Rhodesian sergeant, raising his
+revolver.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Hun's reply was a shot that nicked the lobe of the non-com.'s right
+ear.  Almost immediately the latter returned the compliment, shooting
+the German dead on the spot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sorry," muttered the Rhodesian apologetically, for he had respect for
+a brave foe.  "You asked for it, Fritz."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The next instant Beta Moshi stumbled, the subaltern only just
+contriving to avoid tripping over his prostrate body.  Thinking that
+the Haussa sergeant was hit one of the covering party began to raise
+the machine-gun from the ground, but the Haussa was holding it tightly
+in his arms.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Almost overthrowing the Rhodesian Bela Moshi regained his feet, swung
+the trophy over his shoulder and resumed his pace.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The returning party were only just in time.  Already a formidable
+number of Askaris had broken through the stubbornly-defended palisade,
+and by sheer weight were forcing their opponents back.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Faced by hordes of German levies and with the line of burning huts
+preventing further retirement the defenders of the kraal were in a very
+tight corner indeed.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap17"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XVII
+</H3>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+WATER!
+</H4>
+
+<P>
+In double quick time Wilmshurst's party hurried over the stockade at
+the same place where they had clambered out a short time previously.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Setting the tripod of the captured gun upon the raised bank at the rear
+of the palisade the Rhodesians fitted a belt of ammunition and promptly
+opened fire.  Enfilading the attackers the effect of the totally
+unexpected hail of bullets was stupendous.  The dense masses of Askaris
+simply melted.  Only those nearest to the garrison escaped the
+machine-gun fire, since it was impossible to traverse further to the
+right without hitting friend as well as foe.  Before the first belt of
+ammunition had been expended most of the men who had gained a footing
+in the village were <I>hors de combat</I>.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The assault was by no means over.  Strong reserves were thrown into the
+breach, taking advantage of the lull in the firing.  Working coolly and
+rapidly the machine-gunners fitted a new belt, but the difficulty now
+arose that the weapon could not be trained over the palisade, which,
+owing to its irregular form, screened the massed assailants.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Lifting the weapon and resting it upon the top of the stockade Bela
+Moshi shouted to the corporal to jump on his shoulders.  In this
+difficult position the machine-gun reopened fire, but before
+twenty-five rounds had been fired the weapon jammed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The gun was served by three men only&mdash;the Rhodesian sergeant and
+corporal and Bela Moshi.  The rest of the party, including Wilmshurst,
+had hurried off to reinforce the sorely-tried men engaged hand to hand
+with the Askaris in the breach.  Of the three only the corporal knew
+much about the internal mechanism of a German machine-gun, and in the
+ruddy, flickering light his task was greatly complicated.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Again the weapon was hoisted on the Haussa's broad shoulders.  This
+time the mechanism acted without a hitch.  The Askaris broke and fled,
+leaving a third of their number on the ground, while those who had
+gained a footing within the kraal lost heart and threw down their arms.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Nevertheless the danger was by no means over.  At two other points the
+kraal had been entered, the defenders being forced back until
+two-thirds of the village was in the hands of the foe.  The
+fiercely-burning huts now formed an effectual defence, the survivors of
+the garrison having concentrated in a space in the form of a segment of
+a circle, a portion of the palisade comprising the arc and the line of
+flaming huts the chord.  For the present the barrage of fire was
+impassable, but what would happen when the conflagration burnt itself
+out remained a matter for anxious speculation.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Rhodesians and blacks worked together to dig a trench and construct a
+parapet.  It was a strenuous task, for in order to give as much space
+as possible to the already congested defenders the new defence work had
+been pushed as far forward as the strength of the flames permitted.
+The while desultory long-distance firing was indulged in by the
+discomfited foe, the bullets pinging against the hard ground or flying
+with a sharp "siss" overhead.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+While this work was in progress the corporal hurried up and addressed
+Wilmshurst.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Your nigger sergeant's hit, sir," he reported.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The subaltern made his way to the spot where the machine-gun had been
+placed out of the line of hostile fire, since a single bullet might put
+it out of action.  Lying upon the ground with his head propped against
+the ammunition box was Bela Moshi.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Haussa was barely conscious.  He recognised his young officer and
+gave a determined but ineffective attempt to smile.  Already one of the
+men had cut away Bela Moshi's tunic, revealing a bullet wound on the
+right side of the chest.  Even as Dudley placed his water-bottle to the
+sergeant's lips the Haussa's eyes closed and he lost consciousness.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What do you make of it?" asked Dudley, addressing the man attending to
+the patient.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"He's as like to snuff it, sir," he replied.  "Can't tell exactly&mdash;and
+it's a tough job to tackle with only a field-service dressing."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"When was he hit?" continued the subaltern.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's a mystery, sir," was the answer.  "We'd brought the gun under
+cover&mdash;there wasn't a chance of being hit by direct fire, you'll
+understand&mdash;and the black seemed to crumple up suddenly.  Never said a
+word, but just pitched on his face.  I'll do my level best for him,
+sir."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Leaving his water-bottle&mdash;and water was a scarce commodity, as the
+supply within the kraal had been overrun by the fire&mdash;Dudley made his
+way to the gap in the palisade, where other units were hard at work
+digging a ditch across the exposed opening.  Here he came face to face
+with his brother, whose left arm was bandaged and in a sling.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Copped it, you see, Dudley," remarked Rupert.  "If there's any trouble
+knocking about I'm bound to stand in.  But I guess I did my whack
+before I was knocked out," he added grimly.  "Managed to work off sixty
+rounds, and when we started I found myself wondering if I had the
+strength to pick up a rifle."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What have you got?" asked his brother.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Bayonet thrust," was the reply.  "We were jammed up anyhow, but the
+fellow who gave it me won't try the trick on any one else.  Have you
+any water?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dudley shook his head.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sorry," he replied.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Seems a scarcity of it," continued Rupert.  "All the men's
+water-bottles are bone-dry, and it's hot work tackling a kraal fire.
+The niggers, too, are clamouring for water."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The fire's burning itself out, I fancy," remarked Dudley.  "Before
+dawn we ought to be able to get to the well.  Now I must do my whack."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Taking a spade of native workmanship from the hands of an exhausted
+trooper the subaltern set to work with a will, for much had to be done
+in a very short space of time.  It was a case of excavating under
+extreme difficulties, for apart from the smoke and heat from the
+blazing huts bullets were dropping frequently and at random upon that
+part of the kraal still held by the hard-pressed but as yet
+unconquerable garrison.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Throughout the rest of the night the enemy made no attempt to renew the
+assault.  With the dawn the worst of the task of shortening the line
+was accomplished, and the jaded men threw themselves down to rest,
+until every available position immune from rifle fire was covered with
+khaki and black figures sleeping the sleep of utter exhaustion.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+There was little rest for Dudley Wilmshurst and the patrol-commander.
+Having visited the sentries they examined the defences in order to
+discover if there were any weak points that had escaped notice during
+the hours of darkness.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With the exception of half a dozen huts every building comprising the
+kraal was reduced to a heap of charred wood and ashes, from which smoke
+was rising sullenly in the still air.  The stockade adjoining had
+shared the same fate, and had it not been for the earthworks
+constructed during the night the rear of the defences would have been
+completely open to direct rifle fire.  At present the heat of the
+smouldering embers was too great to allow any attempt to procure water
+from the well that was situated almost in the centre of the kraal,
+close to the site of the headman's hut.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The captured machine gun was still under cover, ready to be rushed to
+any point where an attack might develop, but the trouble that
+confronted the team was the fact that the water in the jacket had
+evaporated and no more was at present procurable.  The supply of rifle
+ammunition, too, was running perilously short.  In view of the
+liability of the machine gun to jam after a few rounds, Wilmshurst
+would have had no hesitation in using the cartridges from the belt had
+the gun been a Maxim.  But here he was beaten, for the difference in
+British and German small-arms ammunition makes an interchange
+impossible.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The next best thing was to arrange existing stocks, so that a few
+troopers had plenty of .303 ammunition.  The others, supplying
+themselves with rifles and cartridges taken from the hundreds of German
+dead, were then in a position to give a good account of themselves
+should the enemy again attack at close quarters.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Having completed his present duties Wilmshurst made his way to the hut
+where Bela Moshi had been taken after his wound had been dressed.  The
+building, consisting of bamboo walls and palm-leaf thatch, had been
+converted into a hospital and made bullet proof by piling up earth
+against the sides to a height of about six feet.  Above that the
+bamboos and the roof were riddled with bullets, making it a hazardous
+business for any one to stand upright.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In the limited space were two Rhodesians suffering from gunshot wounds.
+Almost every other man of the patrol had been hit, but one and all made
+light of their injuries, and after receiving attention had resumed
+their places in the defence.  Over thirty villagers had been badly
+wounded, but these were receiving the attention of their fellows,
+since, for some unexplained reason, they were reluctant to have their
+wounds dressed by their white allies.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Going on famously, sir," announced the Rhodesian corporal, who, having
+played a gallant part in the defence, had returned to his errand of
+mercy.  "I've extracted the bullet; it had lodged only a quarter of an
+inch under the skin and close to the right of his backbone.  I don't
+fancy the lungs are touched.  He'll pull through if any of us do."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's great!" exclaimed Wilmshurst, overjoyed that his devoted Haussa
+sergeant stood a good chance of recovery.  "You ought to have been a
+doctor, corporal."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I was very near it, sir," was the reply.  "Had two years at Bart's and
+then chucked up the idea and came to Rhodesia.  But this is somewhat
+remarkable; what do you make of it, sir?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The corporal held up for inspection the bullet that had narrowly
+escaped putting an end to Bela Moshi.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Automatic pistol bullet, by Jove!" exclaimed the subaltern, handling
+the piece of nickel.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, sir," continued the corporal, "and the Haussa has been muttering
+while he was coming to.  Putting two and two together, so to speak, I
+fancy he stopped the bullet that grazed our sergeant's ear when we were
+bringing in the gun."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Ah, yes; Bela Moshi did fall, but he was quickly on his feet again,"
+remarked Wilmshurst.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"With a bullet that had all but just passed completely through his
+body," added the Rhodesian.  "And after that he acted as a platform&mdash;he
+had a man standing on his shoulders for nearly a quarter of an
+hour&mdash;and only collapsed after the attack had been broken.  There's
+vitality and pluck for you, sir!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And if we come out of this business alive I'll see that Bela Moshi's
+case is reported to the proper quarter," declared Dudley.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The only thing against him is the want of water," said the corporal.
+"I'd risk getting plugged for the sake of a couple of bottles of water.
+How about the well, sir?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We're having a shot at it as soon as possible," replied the subaltern,
+and picking up his water-bottle, he left the hut.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The urgency of the matter decided Dudley.  If humanly possible he meant
+to make the attempt forthwith.  A glance at the still smouldering
+débris told him pretty plainly that it was a dangerous if not
+impossible undertaking, but for the sake of his Haussa sergeant the
+subaltern determined to procure the precious fluid.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He sought out his brother, but Rupert was sound asleep.  Rupert was the
+only person he wanted to inform of his projected expedition, but that
+course was denied him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With the bottle slung across his shoulder and a native jar&mdash;holding
+about a gallon&mdash;in each hand, Dudley leapt into the trench and scaled
+the parapet before the few men who were in the vicinity were aware of
+his intention.  Then drawing a deep breath, like a diver about to make
+a plunge, he dashed into the belt of smoke-laden air.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At every pace his boots kicked up showers of white ashes.  The heat
+penetrated the thick soles, it singed his hair and scorched his face
+and hands.  He felt himself wondering why he was such a fool as to try
+conclusions with a mass of hot embers ... why wasn't he content to wait
+another two hours or so, when the heat would have greatly decreased.
+Supposing he lost his bearings in the smoke and couldn't find the well
+after all?
+</P>
+
+<P>
+These and a dozen other deprecatory thoughts flashed across his mind as
+he stumbled onwards.  He had had but a brief knowledge of the plan of
+the kraal previous to the fire.  He remembered that the well stood in
+the centre of a fairly open space.  There, at any rate, would he find a
+comparatively safe oasis in the desert of hot embers.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"By Jove, that was a narrow one!" he soliloquised as a bullet&mdash;one of
+many shot at a venture&mdash;whizzed dangerously close to his ears and
+knocked up a number of small fougasses as it ricochetted in the embers.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He wanted to breathe.  Already the air was on the point of being
+exhausted in his lungs, yet he durst not gasp for breath.  Another
+twenty yards ... or was it forty?  He was hardly sure of his
+whereabouts....  Mentally he enquired if he had been making a detour
+instead of keeping in a straight line.  Maintaining direction in a haze
+of smoke was far more difficult, he reflected, than in a fog,
+especially when there was a time limit fixed for the performance.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Almost before he was aware of it Wilmshurst literally blundered upon an
+open expanse where the short grass had been burnt off close to the
+ground.  Surrounded by a barrage of bluish vapour that rose from
+irregular mounds of débris, the subaltern was able to breathe
+comparatively fresh air.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Ahead was the well, its windlass of hard teak charred but otherwise
+uninjured.  It was a different case with the rope.  The fibre had
+smouldered badly; it would be unwise to attempt to raise the heavy
+bucket by it.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Cutting adrift a length of the coir rope the subaltern bent it to the
+neck of one of the jars and drew up the vessel full of liquid.  The
+water was loathsome in appearance, its surface being covered with ash
+and fragments of charcoal of various sizes.  Prudence, as taught by
+long months of practical experience on the Coast, urged the young
+officer to resist the desire to slake his burning thirst.  No water
+unless boiled and filtered can be drunk by Europeans without grave
+risks of deadly disease.  But Wilmshurst now threw caution to the winds.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With avidity he filled the joined palms of his hands with the brackish
+and otherwise unpalatable liquid and raised it to his lips.  He drank
+deeply, unmindful of millions of unseen germs in his almost frantic
+efforts to relieve the pangs of his parched throat.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then completing his stock of hardly-gained water Wilmshurst turned to
+retrace his way, aware that during his stay a steady breeze had
+suddenly sprung up.  Under its influence the dangers of the passage
+through the embers were greatly increased, for, fanned by the wind,
+numerous mounds of débris had flared up again, while the volume of
+smoke had spread in density, blowing straight into his face.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+For some moments Dudley stood irresolute; then seized by a sudden
+inspiration he ran down wind, plunging through the charred wreckage.
+He was going directly away from that part of the kraal still held by
+his comrades.  His new direction led towards a part of the hostile
+investing lines, but he preferred to run the risk of being sniped at
+six hundred yards to fighting his way through the now steadily burning
+débris.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As he expected, his passage through this part of the devastated village
+was relatively easy.  Being the first of the huts to take fire this
+section had almost burnt itself out.  Occasionally he had to dodge
+round a heap of still burning timber.  The heat was almost unbearable,
+while the smoke penetrating his lungs made him gasp and cough
+violently; so much so, that twice he had to place his precious
+water-jars on the ground and clutch at his throat in his distress.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+At length a line of blackened, calcined posts told him that he had
+emerged from the kraal, and that he was on the line formerly occupied
+by the stockade.  For another fifty or sixty yards he held on, until
+the smoke cleared considerably; then changing direction, he began to
+circumvent the abandoned line of defence until he came to the still
+held position.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was not long before several bullets, whizzing perilously close,
+warned him that the enemy had spotted him through the eddying wreaths
+of vapour.  Others, striking the earth with a dull thud, ricochetted
+within a few inches of his feet.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Bending, until his jars were almost bumping on the ground, the
+subaltern summoned his remaining energies in a final spurt and doubled
+almost recklessly towards his goal.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Through the smoke he heard the sharp challenge of one of the sentries.
+He tried to reply, but no sound came from his parched throat.  The man
+raised his rifle, when his sergeant, recognising the dishevelled,
+swaying form of Second-Lieutenant Wilmshurst, ordered the man to
+recover arms.  Then a white mist swam before the subaltern's eyes, and,
+retaining sufficient presence of mind to place the hardly-won jars of
+water upon the ground, he stumbled inertly into the arms of the
+Rhodesian sergeant.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap18"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XVIII
+</H3>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+IM THE ENEMY'S POSITION
+</H4>
+
+<P>
+It was not long before Wilmshurst regained consciousness, to find that
+his precious stock of water was being boiled under the direction of the
+patrol-corporal.  With admirable restraint the men, knowing that the
+subaltern had risked a horrible death for the sake of his black
+sergeant, had put the whole of the liquid to boil, insisting that a
+fair distribution would be made when the water was fit for drinking.  A
+little over two gallons was not much among so many, but it would just
+assuage their thirst until the steadily-declining heat of the
+smouldering ruins permitted access to the well.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Producing his pump-filter, for Bela Moshi had taken particular pains to
+leave it in a safe place before the sortie, the subaltern strained the
+liquid.  It was warm and insipid, yet it was now free from
+contamination, and Bela Moshi drank it with avidity.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A suspicion of his broad smile flitted across his face as he took the
+life-giving draught.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You tink me lib for die, sah?" he enquired whimsically.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No fear!" replied Wilmshurst, knowing that to a remarkable degree a
+"nigger" can control his ability to live or die.  He had known of a
+black man who, grievously upset in a quarrel, declared that he was
+going to die, and promptly lying down and turning his face to the
+ground, the man was a corpse within half an hour.  "You get well one
+time quick, or me berry angry."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The subaltern's reply reminded him of a doting parent talking to a
+small child in baby language.  Bela Moshi was a mere child in certain
+respects, and the mild threat had its effect.  "Den me tink me lib,
+sah," he said.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With this assurance Wilmshurst left to snatch a few hours' much-needed
+rest.  The bulk of the white men comprising the garrison were behind
+the earthworks.  Occasional sharp bursts of rifle firing came from the
+bush, but no reply was made by the defenders of the kraal.  Ammunition
+was too scarce and precious to be thrown away at haphazard firing upon
+an unseen foe.  The Germans' remaining machine gun was unaccountably
+silent.  Perhaps it had failed, after the manner of automatic weapons.
+On the other hand, although the captured machine-gun was liable to jam
+after a few rounds, owing to its having become overheated, the Huns
+were ignorant of the fact, and thus the practically useless weapon was
+a strong moral factor in favour of its captors.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dudley slept for a solid four hours, to awake considerably refreshed to
+find that some one had spread a double ground-sheet above him, so as to
+form a tent, for the sun was now directly overhead.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hullo, Rupert!" he exclaimed, upon seeing his brother.  "How goes it?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Feeling quite my old self," was the reply.  "A fellow can buck up even
+in present circumstances after being penned up by a mob of rascally
+Huns."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"What happened to you?" asked Dudley.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Rupert shrugged his bent shoulders.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Don't ask me," he replied.  "Some day I'll tell you&mdash;if we get out of
+this scrap."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Did you hear what became of Robert MacGregor?" persisted Dudley.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A thundering good old pal!" declared his brother heartily.  "If he'd
+not been obliged to go back to Rhodesia I don't think I would have been
+landed in a German prison.  I'd give a lot to shake old Bob by the hand
+again."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The subaltern regarded his brother intently.  Rupert, he saw, was
+speaking quite naturally and without any trace of sarcasm.  It was
+clear that he had not the slightest idea of the double, nay multi-dyed
+treachery of Ulrich von Gobendorff.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Dash it all!" he soliloquised.  "I can't enlighten old Rupert just
+now.  Revelations must come later&mdash;if, as he remarked, we do come out
+of this business alive."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+About four o'clock in the afternoon the irritating rifle fire ceased.
+Fifteen minutes passed without a shot winging its way from the dense
+scrub; and although one or two of the defenders boldly stood upon the
+parapet to draw the enemy, their tempting position brought no response.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Guess we'll hike out and bring in some water," declared one.  "No time
+like the present, and we are as dry as a bone."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Very good," agreed the patrol-commander.  "Only look sharp about it.
+This lull in the firing may mean that the Boches are up to some of
+their knavish tricks."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Accordingly five men, each carrying four jars, set off to the well.
+The dangers that Wilmshurst had encountered were now over, and in a
+short space of time the five returned.  Although they had been in full
+view of the enemy positions throughout, their progress had not been
+molested by so much as a single shot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"The blighters are saving it up for us for to-night," declared a
+trooper.  "Wonder if a couple of us could steal through their lines and
+make our way to the main column?  A few squadrons would make Fritz sit
+up."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"No use unless we were mounted," objected another; "and a fellow
+couldn't hope to dash through their lines at full gallop.  He'd be
+chock full of bullets before he got within fifty yards of them."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'd risk it, anyway," asserted the first speaker.  "Either mounted or
+dismounted I reckon I'd do it as soon as it gets dark.  But I'm hanged
+if I can understand why Fritz is so horribly quiet and well-behaved."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's what we'd all like to know," added the sergeant.  "I'm that
+curious that I fancy taking a stroll that way myself."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Shortly afterwards a party of villagers were collected and set to work
+to bury the bodies of those who had fallen in the futile assault.  The
+natives, contrary to expectation, performed their tasks without let or
+hindrance from the enemy, although the men engaged in the work offered
+a tempting target.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With the fall of darkness the mental attention of the garrison became
+acute.  At every slight or unaccountable sound the men strained eyes
+and ears and grasped their rifles to meet an imaginary rush.  Just
+before midnight a shot rang out, the flash of the rifle being clearly
+discernible at a point immediately fronting the scene of the most
+formidable attack on the previous night.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"They're coming, boys!" exclaimed the patrol-commander.  "Ten rounds
+rapid when I give the word, then independent firing.  Don't waste a
+single shot."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Only the click of the rifle-bolts and the quick breathing of the men
+broke the stillness.  Even the natives, awed by the impending assault,
+were silent as they handled their bows and long-hafted spears.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hear anything?" whispered the patrol-commander, edging close to
+Wilmshurst.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nothing," replied the subaltern.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"They're coming, sir," exclaimed a deep voice.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The subaltern raised his binoculars and swept the intervening space.
+The powerful night-glasses revealed no sign of the approaching enemy.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Again a flash, followed by the sharp report of a rifle, the bullet
+knocking splinters from one of the cross-pieces of the stockade&mdash;and
+then utter silence.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Dashed if I can stick this!" declared Wilmshurst.  "I'll go out and
+see what's doing.  With luck I'll be back in an hour."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Very good," agreed the Rhodesian patrol-commander.  "Give the word
+'Buluwayo' for the countersign.  Good luck!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Without loss of time the subaltern started on his mission of
+investigation.  Once clear of the kraal he realised a sense of
+loneliness.  He would have given almost all he possessed for the
+companionship of his trusty Bela Moshi.  Then, shaking off the
+instinctive depression, he devoted his thoughts to the work on hand.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He was taking a different route from the one he had followed on the
+occasion of the capture of the machine-gun.  It was unfamiliar ground,
+flat and totally devoid of cover.  Ahead lay a line of dark shadows
+that marked the commencement of the encircling bush.  It was only
+slightly over a quarter of a mile away, but the distance seemed
+interminable as he slowly and cautiously held on.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Once he stood stock still, his heart beating violently.  Ten yards
+ahead a man lay prone on the short grass.  The faint starlight glinted
+on the barrel of a rifle, which was pointed straight at the lone
+subaltern.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Momentarily Wilmshurst expected to see the blinding flash of the rifle.
+The fellow was a long time lingering over the sights, he thought.  The
+young officer moved a couple of paces to the right.  The sinister
+muzzle seemed to be following him, tantalisingly menacing.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Acting upon a sudden impulse Wilmshurst flung himself flat on the
+ground.  After a pause he raised his head and looked towards the
+sniper, for such he took him to be.  The man had not stirred.  His
+rifle was cocking upwards at an acute angle to the ground, "I believe a
+dead Hun has given me cold feet," muttered the subaltern, and creeping
+stealthily he made a wide detour round the rigidly immovable figure.
+Then, satisfied up to a certain point, he crawled towards the
+motionless object.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+It was an Askari.  The man was one of the first to be shot during the
+onslaught.  He had fallen face downwards, but still grasped his rifle
+in such a position that there was good reason for mistaking him for a
+sniper.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+From this point Wilmshurst resumed his outward journey, proceeding on
+hands and knees and halting at frequent intervals to place his ear to
+the ground.  He could detect no audible evidences of the foe.  Never
+before, in the course of two separate campaigns against native troops
+officered by Germans, had he known such absolute silence amongst the
+black rank and file.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+On and on he crawled, grimly soliloquising that much more of this mode
+of progression would make him imagine that he was a new type of
+serpent, for as he approached the outer fringe of scrub he literally
+moved on his stomach.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Proceeding thus he passed between two large thorn bushes.  Beyond was a
+slight artificial depression in the ground, on the bottom of which were
+hundreds of metal cartridge cases.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+By the peculiar pungent odour he knew that they had been fired within
+the last twelve hours.  Some were trodden into the loose earth, which
+bore numerous indications of having been trampled both with boots and
+bare feet.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"By Jove!" he thought.  "Fritz has cleared out."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Even as the idea flashed across his mind a rifle-shot rang out on his
+left.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Promptly Wilmshurst flattened himself to the ground, and waited
+breathlessly for further developments.  The weird silence was
+maintained save for the distant croaking of bullfrogs in a marsh.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Booby trap!" he declared, and cautiously groped around to find out if
+he had incautiously touched a fine wire.  At a radius of his extended
+arm he found nothing of that nature.  Perhaps, after all, a sniper was
+concealed in the bushes on his left, for the bullet had not been
+directed at him.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Bent upon investigating the mystery Wilmshurst crept round the
+intervening bushes.  Before he had traversed thirty yards his head came
+in contact with the stock of a rifle.  The weapon was lashed to a
+couple of stout bamboos.  Fastened to the trigger was a short piece of
+wire, to which in turn was tied a length of raw hide.  The subaltern
+gave a chuckle of satisfaction.  His discovery confirmed his surmise
+that the investing force had raised the siege, leaving rifles so
+arranged that they would fire automatically after various intervals in
+order to convey the erroneous impression that the bush was still held
+in force.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The raw hide cords had been placed in position during the heat of the
+day.  After dark the heavy dew moistened the hide and caused it to
+contract until the tension upon the trigger was sufficient to release
+the bolt action and detonate the cartridges.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A similar ruse, embodying more ingenuity, had been practised by the
+British troops during the successful evacuation of the Gallipoli
+peninsula; but in this case the fixed rifles were fired by means of a
+small trickle of water dropping from an upper receptacle into a lower
+one.  To the latter was tied a cord, the other end of which was
+fastened to the trigger.  As soon as half a gallon of liquid entered
+the lower tin can, resulting in a pressure of about seven pounds on the
+trigger, the rifle was fired.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And there are plenty of discarded tins lying about," thought
+Wilmshurst.  "It seems strange that methodical Fritz should waste a
+good raw-hide thong when simpler and more efficacious means are
+available, unless&mdash;ah!  I wonder if it was a lack of water that made
+them clear out?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Wilmshurst was nothing if not thorough.  Before returning with the
+joyful news to the kraal he meant to satisfy himself that the Huns had
+abandoned all their positions.  It would be a bad business if, on the
+strength of the young officer's report, the patrol left the village and
+attempted to rejoin the main body only to find themselves suddenly
+attacked in the open by vastly numerically superior forces.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Checking his direction from time to time by means of his luminous
+compass Dudley penetrated nearly a mile into the bush.  Everywhere
+there were evidences that the enemy had retired in the direction of the
+Karewenda Hills, while the not distant sounds of wild animals showed
+that the bush was clear of anything of the nature of numerous parties
+of human beings.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Satisfied on this point the subaltern was about to retrace his way when
+he heard a stealthy footfall on the dew-soddened ground within a few
+paces of the spot where he stood.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Softly and deliberately Wilmshurst dropped to the earth, screened by
+the broad leaves of a cactus.  He could hardly believe the evidence of
+his senses when, almost within arm's length, appeared the foremost of a
+single file of Haussas&mdash;men not only of his own battalion but of his
+platoon.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap19"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XIX
+</H3>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+CORNERED AT LAST
+</H4>
+
+<P>
+Checking the natural exuberance of his wildly delighted men Wilmshurst
+obtained the information that the battalion, acting in conjunction with
+a Punjabi infantry regiment and a couple of squadrons of Light Horse,
+was about to deliver a surprise attack upon the enemy.  Once again the
+wily Hun had disappointed the British forces.  By means of native
+scouts the Germans had learnt of the approach of the relieving forces,
+and without waiting to exchange shots the former had effected a prompt
+and skilfully-conducted retirement.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Accompanied by one of the Haussas Wilmshurst hastened to inform his
+commanding officer of the state of affairs.  On the way he found big
+Spofforth with the advance-guard.  The latter greeted his missing chum
+cordially.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You're a lucky blighter!" he exclaimed, as he critically surveyed
+Dudley's ragged and dishevelled appearance.  "You always manage to see
+some fun.  Here are we, after two days' hard marching, sold completely,
+and not a chance to fire a shot.  Well, what have you been doing?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'll tell you later," replied Wilmshurst.  "I must report to the C.O.
+Briefly, we've missed von Gobendorff, but we've had one of the toughest
+little scraps I've ever experienced."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Colonel Quarrier was both delighted and disappointed with his junior
+officer's report.  His satisfaction at the news of the successful
+defence of the kraal was unbounded; but his brow darkened when he
+learnt of the escape of Ulrich von Gobendorff.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"We heard from native sources that you were in a tight corner, Mr.
+Wilmshurst," he remarked in conclusion.  "How the news got through in
+so short a time is one of those unsolved mysteries appertaining to the
+inhabitants of Central Africa.  We pushed ahead with a column hoping to
+catch Fritz sitting; but we were done.  Well, ought you to rejoin your
+temporary unit?  If you prefer you can remain till dawn, for I do not
+intend to move further till then.  We don't want any exchange of shots
+by mistake."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I'll return, sir," replied the subaltern.  "The men will be bucked to
+hear the good news.  I shouldn't wonder if they aren't getting a bit
+anxious, for I was due back an hour ago."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Without mishap the subaltern traversed the intervening stretch of
+scrub, crossed the open space and gained the kraal, where, as he had
+expected, the good news was hailed with enthusiasm.  For the first time
+since the investment of the village the defenders were able to snatch a
+few hours' undisturbed sleep unaccompanied by the intermittent reports
+of rifles and the constant expectation of being called to arms.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Dawn was breaking when a squadron of Rhodesian Light Horse cantered up
+to the bullet-torn stockade, their arrival being hailed with three
+cheers by the undaunted patrol and a deafening clamour from the
+natives, who had played no inconspicuous part in the defence of the
+kraal.  Twenty minutes later the Waffs marched in, followed by an
+Indian battalion, which bivouacked in the open.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Here we remain&mdash;so the C.O. says," declared Danvers, as the four
+platoon-commanders of "A" Company gathered together in a native hut
+temporarily converted into the mess.  "It's a step nearer the Karewenda
+Hills, and there, according to accounts, Fritz will make a last stand."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Unless he prefers Cape Town," added Spofforth, and the five officers
+laughed at the jest.  "As things are going it reminds me of that kid's
+game 'Ring-a-ring-o'-Roses'&mdash;simply barging round and round and getting
+no forrarder."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Dashed smart chap that servant of yours, Wilmshurst," remarked
+Laxdale, after the subaltern had related the story of Bela Moshi's
+devotion.  "And how is he progressing?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Splendidly, according to Dr. Barkley's latest report," replied Dudley.
+"If any fellow deserves the D.C.M. it's he."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"And a little bird whispered to me," continued Laxdale, "that a certain
+member of the antient and accepted order of the Lone Star Crush did a
+jolly risky thing&mdash;fetching water under enemy fire."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Wilmshurst coloured hotly.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Rot!" he ejaculated.  "Fritz couldn't see me.  They were putting up a
+lot of small arms ammunition, of course.  No, that's nothing; almost
+forgot about it, in fact."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+But if Wilmshurst had dismissed the incident from his mind the water
+had not forgotten him.  The poisonous germs in the non-filtered liquid
+were doing their lethal work, and that evening the subaltern was down
+with a severe bout of malaria.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In a covered dhoolie Wilmshurst was sent down to a hospital base-camp.
+With him went Rupert, who, on the setting in of the reaction following
+his release, was on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Within a couple of months Dudley was back with his battalion.  Many
+times he bitterly reproached himself for being out of action for that
+period simply because he did not exercise sufficient restraint when he
+drank the tainted water.  He realised that he alone was to blame, while
+most of the trouble fell upon the shoulders of his brother
+platoon-commanders, who already had their full share of work and
+responsibility.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He found the battalion at a place twenty miles further away from the
+Karewenda Hills than the kraal where he had played so conspicuous a
+part in its defence.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You needn't have been so rattled about it, old boy," declared
+Spofforth.  "You've missed none of the fun, for the simple reason that
+there hasn't been any.  A fortnight ago we were within sight of Twashi.
+There was a Belgian column operating on the north-west side.  It looked
+as if we were going to do something great, when we had to retire
+through lack of provisions.  It appears that a few Huns got away and
+started playing the deuce with our lines of communication; put the
+kybosh on a couple of convoys and generally made things unpleasant."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Rather," agreed Laxdale.  "I've been hungry many a time, but now I
+know what it means to have to tighten one's belt.  I'll qualify for the
+Army Light-weight Championship yet."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A week ago I seriously thought of going on exhibition as a living
+skeleton," remarked Danvers.  "You've been jolly lucky, Wilmshurst;
+you're as fat as a prize turkey-cock.  They've been stuffing you down
+at the base."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"At any rate I'll soon work it down to normal," rejoined Wilmshurst.
+"Any company news?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Nothing much," replied Spofforth.  "Two casualties in your platoon.
+Bela Moshi is still away (hard lines, thought Wilmshurst), but the
+recommendation for the D.C.M. has gone through.  The black sinner will
+be as proud as a dog with two tails when he gets the medal."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Within a week of Dudley's rejoining, the column was again in position
+to resume offensive operations.  Well guarded convoys had arrived,
+including a much-needed ammunition column, while with the advent of the
+rainy season the difficulty of feeding the horses and mules was
+considerably reduced.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The troops advanced on a broad front, the Waffs in the centre, a
+Punjabi battalion on the right and a Pathan regiment on the left.
+Light Horse and Indian Lancers operated on both flanks, while a battery
+of mountain guns acted in support of the infantry.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+For the last three weeks a strong Belgian column had been sitting on
+the banks of the Tuti, a river flowing in a south-westerly direction
+behind the Karewenda Hills and joining the Kiwa fifty miles S.S.W. of
+M'ganga.  By holding the fords the Belgians effectually cut off the
+retreat of the Huns from Twashi, and the latter being fully aware of
+that unpleasant fact were confronted with one of two alternatives&mdash;to
+fight it out or surrender.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Four days' steady marching brought the British column within striking
+distance of the outermost lines of defence.  The difficult nature of
+the ground made it impossible to run the position.  A frontal attack
+had to be delivered in order to pierce the line, but before this could
+be done the intervening ground had to be carefully reconnoitred, as
+many of the defences had been thrown up during the last few days, Fritz
+working with feverish energy when he found himself cornered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+During the course of the day four Germans approached the outlying
+piquets and made signs that they wished to surrender.  Blindfolded they
+were escorted to headquarters and subjected to a rigorous examination.
+They admitted frankly that supplies both of food and ammunition were
+running short and that the Askaris were restless and showing signs of
+mutiny.  The prisoners also gave details of the position of some of the
+German advance works, stating that they were but lightly held.  Each
+man being showed a military map he indicated the position of the
+defence in question; and, what was more, the descriptions coincided
+with each other.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"It would be well, however, not to take too much for granted, sir,"
+remarked the adjutant to Colonel Quarrier after the Germans had been
+removed.  "This surrender business may be a put-up job to throw dust in
+our eyes.  Their yarn has a sort of carefully-practised savour about
+it."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Perhaps you are right," agreed the C.O. of the Waffs.  "It would be as
+well to be content with a feint upon this section of the defences in
+case there is a labyrinth of mines.  What sort of ground is this?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He pointed with a pencil to the map spread out in front of him.  The
+adjutant looked, frowned and tugged at his moustache.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I really cannot say, sir," he replied at length.  "If the map is
+correct&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I refer to the actual terrain," interrupted Colonel Quarrier.  "Look
+here, Manners; if it is fairly undulating, and not too steep on the
+north-eastern side, it ought to be admirably suited for a
+<I>coup-de-main</I>.  Frontal, of course, but that is inevitable."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Just so, sir," murmured the adjutant.  Colonel Quarrier deliberately
+folded up the map.  "Very well," he said in conclusion.  "Send a
+reliable officer out.  I want an accurate report.  Whom can you
+suggest?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Captain Manners pondered.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"There's Mr. Spofforth, sir&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Too jolly lanky for the job," objected the colonel.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Mr. Danvers&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Took lowest marks at map-reading," continued the critical C.O.  "A
+smart officer in every other respect."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Mr. Laxdale&mdash;&mdash;"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Lacks caution," declared Colonel Quarrier.  "No pun intended.  A good
+man in a rush at the head of his platoon, but for individual
+work&mdash;Who's next?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Mr. Wilmshurst, sir."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Only just out of hospital," was the C.O.'s dictum.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"But fit and as keen as mustard, sir," persisted the adjutant for two
+reasons.  He was getting a bit bored at having his recommendations
+summarily "choked off"; he also knew that Dudley Wilmshurst was, apart
+from being a soldier, a scout by instinct, and that he had plenty of
+experience of the conditions of life in the bush.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Very well, then," declared the C.O.  "Broach the subject to him
+privately, Manners.  If he jumps at it, send him to me."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Ten minutes later Second-Lieutenant Dudley Wilmshurst "jumped."
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR>
+
+<A NAME="chap20"></A>
+
+<H3 ALIGN="center">
+CHAPTER XX
+</H3>
+
+<H4 ALIGN="center">
+QUITS
+</H4>
+
+<P>
+The subaltern decided to go out alone.  One man stood a far better
+chance of escaping detection than two; so greatly to the dismay of
+every Haussa in his platoon he faced the difficult task single handed.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Mounted on a nimble pony and carrying rifle and ammunition, revolver,
+binoculars, map and compass Wilmshurst was bent upon conserving his
+energies during the ride across the previously reconnoitred ground.  On
+new terrain he would tether his steed and proceed on foot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The air was still and sultry.  Away to the north great black clouds
+piled themselves up in sombre masses, indigo-coloured with edges of
+watery green and flaming copper.  Against the dark background the
+distant horizon stood out clear and distinct, owing to the exaggerated
+refractory conditions of the atmosphere.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"A regular deluge before long," decided Dudley.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He viewed the approaching storm with equanimity.  The clearness of the
+atmosphere rendered his task lighter, while the change of weather would
+tend to keep the Askaris within their lines.  Even German military
+despotism could not conquer the native levies' dread of a thunderstorm.
+Finally the darkness and rain on the bursting of the storm would enable
+him to get back without so much chance of being spotted, for on
+reconnoitring it is on the return journey that casualties to the scouts
+happen most frequently.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The subaltern's sole protection from the rain was a waterproof ground
+sheet.  Originally fawn-coloured it had been liberally camouflaged with
+bizarre circles, squares and triangles painted in a medley of
+colouring.  At five hundred yards the wearer was practically invisible,
+the "colour-scheme" blending with the surrounding ground in a most
+effective manner.  For the present the ground sheet, wrapped into a
+small compass, was strapped in front of the pommel of the saddle.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Making his way past the outlying piquets Wilmshurst rode steadily.  The
+ground was undulating, the general tendency being a gentle rise.
+During the last few days the hitherto dry and parched land had been
+covered with rapidly growing vegetation, vivid green grasses shooting
+up to an average height of eighteen inches and transforming the open
+ground into a state strongly resembling the prairies of the New World.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Crowds of <I>aasvogels</I>, gathered around the carcass of a mule, rose on
+the subaltern's approach, uttering discordant cries as they flew away
+from their interrupted meal.  It was unfortunate but unavoidable, and
+had Wilmshurst been within a couple of miles of a hostile post the
+aerial commotion would have "given him away."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Checking his map with various prominent landmarks the subaltern arrived
+at the limit of his ride, a clump of sub-tropical trees that crowned a
+horseshoe-shaped hill.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's all right so far," thought Dudley, comparing the contour of the
+hill with the plan.  "Now comes the unknown."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+His military map showed an absolute desert as far as detail was
+concerned.  Topographical knowledge was practically at zero judging by
+the almost blank portion of paper representing the ground between the
+subaltern and the twin spurs of the Karewenda Hills against which
+Colonel Quarrier proposed making their actual frontal attack.  It was
+Wilmshurst's task to cross this unknown ground, finding out the best
+route for troops to advance in column of route without being detected,
+and a suitable place for extending in open order prior to the final
+phases of the assault.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Tethering his pony by means of a long hide-rope&mdash;for out of
+consideration for the animal he forbore to hobble it, since there was a
+possibility that he might not be able to return to it, Wilmshurst
+fastened the rolled ground-sheet over his shoulder after the manner of
+a bandolier, and holding his rifle ready for instant action began his
+seven-mile trek.  In order to baffle the enemy scouts should they be
+out, Dudley wore a pair of flat-soled boots to the feet of which were
+fixed a dummy pair of soles and heels in the reverse way.  Any one
+picking up the spoor would be under the erroneous belief that the
+wearer was walking in the opposite direction to the actual one.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Judging by my footsteps I must be a pigeon-toed blighter,"
+soliloquised Wilmshurst, as he noted the turned-in prints in the soft
+ground.  "I must look out to that, or I'll give the show away."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+On and on he went, making his way from one point of cover to another,
+yet without seeing or hearing the faintest sign of the German patrols.
+It was not a reassuring business, for scouts might be in the vicinity,
+and a scout unseen is a far greater menace than one who incautiously
+betrays his presence.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Following the course of a donga he found that the narrow valley formed
+an admirable means for a column to advance if protected by flankers,
+but after tracing it for the best part of two miles Wilmshurst
+discovered that it terminated abruptly, merging into a vast open plain.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Cautiously the subaltern crept up the sloping face of the donga until
+his head was just above the edge of the level ground.  By the aid of
+the glasses he made a prolonged and cautious survey.  Eight hundred
+yards on his right front were swarms of vultures busily engaged in
+their revolting pastime; at a similar distance on the left were four
+<I>springbok</I> grazing unconcernedly.  Both signs tended to prove that
+there were no human beings about, for in the case of the <I>springbok</I>
+their keen scent enabled them to detect the presence of the hunter to
+such an extent that it was a difficult matter to get within easy range
+of them.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Having taken a series of compass bearings and entered a few details on
+his map Wilmshurst started off for a kopje midway between the
+<I>aasvogels</I> and the <I>springbok</I>.  Although he took the greatest pains
+to keep out of sight the nimble quadrupeds suddenly bolted, flying like
+the wind.  A few seconds later the vultures rose from their interrupted
+repast, flying almost immediately over the prone form of the subaltern.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Fishy&mdash;very," mused Wilmshurst.  "What made the <I>aasvogels</I> fly this
+way?  I'll sit tight and await developments."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+For the best part of half an hour he remained perfectly quiet, not even
+risking to use his binoculars, lest the reflected light might attract
+the attention of a hostile scout.  By this time the storm was drawing
+nearer&mdash;slowly but surely.  As yet no rain had fallen.  There were the
+indigo-coloured clouds ahead; behind the sky was one unbroken expanse
+of dirty yellow haze.  It reminded Wilmshurst of the efforts of an
+amateur painter trying to "lay on" a coat of yellow paint with a
+tar-stained brush.  Far away to the north came the reverberations of a
+peal of thunder.  It was Nature's signal to the wary to take cover.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Finding at the end of thirty minutes that nothing happened to indicate
+the presence of an enemy, for the <I>aasvogels</I> had returned to their
+carrion feast, Wilmshurst essayed the remaining portion of his
+interrupted advance.  The kopje, he decided, was to be the extreme
+limit of his reconnoitring expedition.  From it he ought to be able to
+form a tolerably accurate idea of the nature of the terrain up to the
+base of the natural bastions of the Karewenda Hills.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Wilmshurst had taken only half a dozen steps when a rifle shot rang
+out.  Practically simultaneously with the shrill whistle of the bullet
+something seemed to hit the subaltern on the left shoulder like a blow
+from a hammer.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's done it," was his mental exclamation.  "Stopped one this time,
+by Jove!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And spinning round twice he dropped to the ground.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Feeling horribly sick and faint Dudley sat up.  He found that he was
+lying in a slight hollow, the surrounding ground being sufficiently
+high to afford good cover, while ahead and on the right were bushes of
+long-spiked thorn.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Satisfied on the point of concealment Dudley next devoted his attention
+to his wound.  Ripping open the sleeve of his coat he discovered that a
+bullet had passed completely through his left arm just below the
+shoulder.  There was very little loss of blood, showing that the
+missile had missed the principal veins and arteries, but whether it had
+smashed a bone was still a matter of uncertainty.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Applying a first-aid dressing to the best of his ability, Wilmshurst
+prepared to "grin and bear it."  He realised that developments would be
+mostly a contest of patience.  The sniper was anxious to know the
+actual result of his shot, but too cautious to close until he felt
+certain that he had killed his victim.  Wilmshurst, anxious to "get his
+own back," also knew that premature action would spell disaster.  All
+he could do was to sit tight and hope that his enemy would leave his
+lair.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Slowly the minutes passed.  The numbing sensation of the wound was
+giving place to hot, stabbing pain, while in spite of the sultriness of
+the air a cold sweat oozed from the young officer's forehead.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Dash it all!" he soliloquised.  "Hope I'm not going to faint or do
+something silly."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+He bent forward until his head rested on his knees.  In a few minutes
+the feeling of vertigo passed.  A draught from his water-bottle had the
+effect of temporarily quenching the burning pain that gripped his
+throat.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"That's better," he declared, and straightway set to work to carefully
+blacken the foresight of his rifle, adjust the wind-gauge (for the
+first of a steady cross-wind had sprung up) and set the sights to six
+hundreds yards.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Not so bad with the use of one arm only," he muttered complaisantly.
+"Hullo, here's the rain!"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With the typical fierceness of a tropical storm the rain beat down.
+Hailstones as big as a walnut thudded the ground, rebounding a foot or
+so in the air until all around was blotted out by the terrific
+downpour.  Underneath the waterproof sheet Dudley lay, knowing that
+there was no chance of the sniper venturing from his lair while this
+battery of nature's weapons was in action.  It was almost pitch-black,
+save for the phosphorescent-like light emanating from the falling rain.
+Occasional vivid flashes of lightning o'erspread the sky, followed by
+rumbling peals of thunder.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Taking particular pains to keep his rifle dry Wilmshurst lay close
+until the initial downpour had passed.  Then, acting as promptly as his
+crippled condition would allow, he laid the muzzle of the weapon on a
+fork of one of the bushes.  As he expected he found that he could take
+aim without much risk of being spotted, since the bush formed an
+efficient screen.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Still no sign of the sniper.  Wilmshurst had no definite idea of the
+fellow's position.  He could only surmise, basing his assumption on the
+report of the rifle, that he was either on the kopje ahead or else
+concealed behind one of the boulders on its side.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Fritz knows how to play a waiting game too, I see," muttered
+Wilmshurst, as he deliberately wiped off a globule of water that had
+dropped upon the backsight of his rifle.  "Hope he won't keep me
+waiting about till after midnight.  I must stick it till he shows up."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The wounded subaltern bore no animosity towards the man who had shot
+him.  In a true soldierly spirit he realised that the Hun had acted
+like a sportsman.  It was merely a question of which scout was the
+sharper and Wilmshurst had been caught napping.  Really he wanted to
+congratulate Fritz upon his excellent shot, but before qualifying his
+wishes on that score he must get his own back&mdash;shot for shot.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+A thin haze of bluish smoke rose from a depression in the ground, and,
+caught by the wind, eddied into obscurity.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Silly juggins!" exclaimed Wilmshurst.  "Bad habit smoking when you're
+supposed to be <I>en perdu</I>.  Now I know where to look for you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+The Hun was evidently arriving at a conclusion that he had "downed his
+man," but with the intention of waiting a little longer he was not able
+to resist the inclination of smoking a pipe.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Bringing the butt of his rifle to his shoulder Wilmshurst lingered over
+the sights&mdash;not with the idea of firing at a wreath of smoke, but to
+test his ability to "pull off" gently.  To his surprise he found that
+the throbbing pain in his left shoulder had little or no effect upon
+his steadiness of aim.  Provided Fritz showed himself the subaltern
+felt almost certain of scoring an "inner" if not a "bull."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+In a quarter of an hour the puffs of smoke ceased.  Wilmshurst had a
+mental vision of the Hun knocking out the ashes on the heel of his boot
+and placing the pipe away in his pocket.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Now he'll be moving," thought Dudley.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+His surmise proved correct, for first the upper part of the head and
+then the face and shoulders of a man appeared above a ridge of ground.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Wilmshurst stirred neither hand nor foot, lest in spite of the screen
+afforded by the bush his movements might be noticed by the alert scout.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Followed a few long-drawn moments of suspense as the scout made a
+careful survey by means of his field-glasses.  Apparently satisfied he
+replaced the binoculars and carrying his rifle at the trail prepared to
+descend the knoll.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Deliberately and cautiously Wilmshurst glanced along the sights of his
+rifle.  He would wait, he decided, until Fritz was some distance from
+his lair.  It would give him a chance to get in a couple of shots if
+the first perchance should miss.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+With his body from the waist upwards showing clearly against the
+copper-hued clouds the Hun offered a splendid target.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Gently the subaltern's finger crept to the trigger.  In his interest in
+his foe he forgot the stinging, throbbing pain.  The rifle, supported
+by the fork of the tree, was as steady as a rock.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Just as Wilmshurst was about to press the trigger a lurid blinding
+flash seemed to leap from the ground immediately on his front.  With
+the echoes of an appalling crash that shook the solid earth ringing in
+his ears Dudley found himself gazing blankly ahead but seeing nothing.
+Dazzled by the sudden intensity of light, deafened by the concussion,
+he was conscious of a vile, sulphurous odour assailing his nostrils.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Gradually the mist decreased until he was able to see with comparative
+ease.  His first thought was for his rifle; he was agreeably surprised
+to find that it was intact, for it seemed marvellous that the lightning
+had missed the steel barrel.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Then he looked in the direction of his enemy.  The Hun was lying prone,
+his head pillowed on his arm.  The other, curiously enough, was
+projecting obliquely in the air.  All around the grass was burning,
+while already the luckless man's uniform was smouldering.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Abandoning all thought of concealment in his desire to aid his foe
+Wilmshurst sprang to his feet, and supporting his useless left arm by
+his right doubled towards the spot where the man had dropped.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+As he drew near he saw that the German's rifle had been hurled quite
+ten yards.  The barrel was partly wrenched from the stock, and for a
+distance of about a foot from the muzzle the steel had been split,
+revealing the glittering rifling.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Taking in these details at a glance Dudley gained the side of the
+prostrate man.  One look was sufficient to show that the Hun had been
+killed outright.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Hard lines, Fritz," exclaimed Wilmshurst aloud.  "I'm glad I didn't
+have to pot you."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Something prompted him to grasp the dead man by his shoulder and turn
+him over on his back.  As he did so, Dudley gave vent to an involuntary
+ejaculation of surprise.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Good heavens!" he exclaimed.  "It's von Gobendorff."
+</P>
+
+<HR ALIGN="center" WIDTH="60%">
+
+<P>
+It was close on sunset when Wilmshurst, racked with pain, returned to
+the bivouac.  Willing hands assisted him from the saddle, yet, firmly
+declining to submit to the attentions of the medical officer until he
+completed his task, the wounded subaltern made a lucid report and
+submitted his maps for inspection.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+Next morning he was sent down to the base hospital, protesting the
+while that the wound was not serious enough to keep him away from his
+platoon just as the fun was commencing.
+</P>
+
+<HR ALIGN="center" WIDTH="60%">
+
+<P>
+A fortnight later, while Wilmshurst was convalescing at Kilwa, he was
+surprised by a deputation of officers of his regiment&mdash;Spofforth,
+Danvers, Laxdale, and three or four more.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"How goes it, old man?" exclaimed Spofforth, the leader of the
+deputation.  "You've something to show for your little dust-up."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"I have," admitted Dudley.  "A clean puncture through the arm.  But
+what are you fellows doing here?  You don't mean to say that the
+business is over?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"By something I mean the M.C.," continued Jock Spofforth, ignoring
+Wilmshurst's questions.  "It's in to-day's orders, so we're here to
+offer congrats.  The battalion's doing well&mdash;a D.S.O., two M.C.'s and
+five D.C.M.'s; not a bad record, eh, what?"
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Yes, the show's over as far as we are concerned," added Laxdale.  "We
+marched in yesterday.  It was a jolly satisfactory piece of work that
+final attack on Fritz's position."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"Sorry I hadn't a hand in it," remarked Wilmshurst.
+</P>
+
+<P>
+"You did, old man," protested Spofforth.  "Those maps of yours&mdash;they
+were simply it.  We just romped home, as it were.  But buck up and
+don't look so down in the mouth.  One would fancy you didn't cotton on
+to the Military Cross.  And here's news.  We are expecting orders for
+Mesopotamia, so that ought to cheer you up."
+</P>
+
+<P>
+And Wilmshurst, M.C., of the Frontier Force, cheered up accordingly.
+</P>
+
+<BR><BR><BR><BR>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
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+</pre>
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+</BODY>
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+</HTML>
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+Project Gutenberg's Wilmshurst of the Frontier Force, by Percy F. Westerman
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Wilmshurst of the Frontier Force
+
+Author: Percy F. Westerman
+
+Illustrator: Ernest Prater
+
+Release Date: March 17, 2013 [EBook #26642]
+
+Language: English
+
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+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WILMSHURST OF THE FRONTIER FORCE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Al Haines
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Frontispiece: "CLUTCHED THE LIONESS JUST BELOW THE JAWS, HOLDING HER
+  IN A VICE-LIKE GRIP."]
+
+
+
+
+
+WILMSHURST OF THE FRONTIER FORCE
+
+
+BY
+
+PERCY F. WESTERMAN
+
+
+
+
+  AUTHOR OF "BILLY BARCROFT, R.N.A.S,"
+  "A SUB. OF THE R.N.R," ETC., ETC.
+
+
+
+
+Publishers
+
+PARTRIDGE
+
+London
+
+1918
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+CHAPTER
+
+     I.  ON ACTIVE SERVICE
+    II.  CHAOS IN THE CABIN
+   III.  THE RAIDER
+    IV.  SPOFFORTH, MACGREGOR AND THE LIONESS
+     V.  HOW THE KOPJE WAS STORMED
+    VI.  THE WARNING SHOT
+   VII.  A TRUE MAN OR A TRAITOR
+  VIII.  ULRICH VON GOBENDORFF
+    IX.  THE FIGHT FOR THE SEAPLANE
+     X.  PREPARATIONS
+    XI.  THE SNIPER
+   XII.  THE STORMING OF M'GANGA
+  XIII.  THE FUGITIVE
+   XIV.  ON THE TRACK
+    XV.  RESCUED
+   XVI.  'GAINST HEAVY ODDS
+  XVII.  WATER
+ XVIII.  IN THE ENEMY'S POSITIONS
+   XIX.  CORNERED AT LAST
+    XX.  QUITS
+
+
+
+
+WILMSHURST OF THE FRONTIER FORCE
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+ON ACTIVE SERVICE
+
+"Four o'clock mornin', sah; bugle him go for revally."
+
+Dudley Wilmshurst, Second Lieutenant of the Nth West African Regiment,
+threw off the light coverings, pulled aside the mosquito curtains, and
+sat upon the edge of his cot, hardly able to realise that Tari Barl,
+his Haussa servant, had announced the momentous news.  Doubtful whether
+his senses were not playing him false Wilmshurst glanced round the
+room.  On a metal table, the legs of which stood in metal jars filled
+with water and paraffin to counteract the ravages of the white ants,
+lay his field-equipment--a neatly-rolled green canvas valise with his
+name and regiment stamped in bold block letters; his Sam Browne belt
+with automatic pistol holster attached; his sword--a mere token of
+authority but otherwise little better than a useless encumbrance--and a
+pair of binoculars in a leather case that bore signs of the excessive
+dampness of the climate on The Coast, as the littoral of the African
+shore 'twixt the Niger and the Senegal Rivers is invariably referred to
+by the case-hardened white men who have fought against the pestilential
+climate and won.
+
+A short distance from the oil stove on which a kettle was boiling,
+thanks to the energy and thoughtfulness of Private Tari Barl, stood an
+assortment of camp equipment: canvas _tent d'abri_, ground sheets,
+aluminium mess traps, a folding canvas bath, and last but not least an
+indispensable Doulton pump filter.
+
+When a man's head is buzzing from the effects of strong doses of
+quinine, and his limbs feel limp and almost devoid of strength, it is
+not to be wondered at that he is decidedly "off colour."  It was only
+Wilmshurst's indomitable will that had pulled him through a bout of
+malaria in time to be passed fit for active service with the "Waffs,"
+as the West African Field Force is commonly known from the initial
+letters of the official designation.
+
+And here was Tari Barl--"Tarry Barrel," his master invariably dubbed
+him--smiling all over his ebony features as he stood, clad in active
+service kit and holding a cup of fragrant tea.
+
+Tari Barl was a typical specimen of the West African native from whom
+the ranks of the Coast regiments are recruited.  In height about five
+feet ten, he was well built from his thighs upwards.  Even his
+loosely-fitting khaki tunic did not conceal the massive chest with its
+supple muscles and the long, sinewy arms that knew how to swing to the
+rhythm of bayonet exercise.  His legs, however, were thin and spindly.
+To any one not accustomed to the native build it would seem strange
+that the apparently puny lower limbs could support such a heavy frame.
+He was wearing khaki shorts and puttees; even the latter, tightly
+fitting, did little to disguise the meagreness of his calves.  He was
+barefooted, for the West African soldier has a rooted dislike to boots,
+although issued as part of his equipment.  On ceremonial parades he
+will wear them, outwardly uncomplainingly, but at the first opportunity
+he will discard them, slinging the unnecessary footgear round his neck.
+Thorns, that in the "bush" will rip the best pair of British-made
+marching-boots to shreds in a very short time, trouble him hardly at
+all, for the soles of his feet, which with the palms of his hands are
+the only white parts of his epidermis, are as hard as iron.
+
+"All my kit ready, Tarry Barrel?" enquired Wilmshurst as he sipped his
+tea.
+
+"All ready, sah; Sergeant Bela Moshi him lib for tell fatigue party
+mighty quick.  No need worry, sah."
+
+Dismissing his servant the subaltern "tubbed" and dressed.  They start
+the day early on the Coast, getting through most of the routine before
+nine, since the intense heat of the tropical sun makes strenuous
+exertion not only unpleasant but highly dangerous.
+
+But to-day was of a different order.  The regiment was to embark at
+eight o'clock on board the transport _Zungeru_ for active service in
+the vast stretch of country known as "German East," where the Huns with
+their well-trained Askaris, or native levies, were putting up a stiff
+resistance against the Imperial and Colonial troops of the British
+Empire.
+
+On his way to the mess Wilmshurst ran up against Barkley, the P.M.O. of
+the garrison.
+
+"Hullo there!" exclaimed the doctor.  "How goes it?  Fit?"
+
+"Absolutely," replied the subaltern.
+
+The doctor smiled and shrugged his shoulders.  He knew perfectly well
+that no officer warned for active service would reply otherwise.
+
+"Buzzing all gone?"
+
+"Practically," replied Wilmshurst.
+
+"All right; stick to five grains of quinine during the whole of the
+voyage--and don't be afraid to let me know if you aren't up to the
+mark.  Suppose you've heard nothing further of your brother?"
+
+Wilmshurst shook his head.
+
+"Not since the letter written just before the war, and that took nearly
+twelve months before it reached me.  It's just possible that Rupert is
+in the thick of it with the Rhodesian crush."
+
+Barkley made no comment.  He was an old college chum of Rupert
+Wilmshurst, who was fifteen years older than his brother Dudley.  The
+elder Wilmshurst was a proverbial rolling stone.  Almost as soon as he
+left Oxford he went abroad and, after long wanderings in the interior
+of China, Siberia, and Manchuria, where his adventures merely
+stimulated the craving for wandering on the desolate parts of the
+earth, he went to the Cape, working his way up country until he made a
+temporary settlement on the northern Rhodesian shores of Lake
+Tanganyika.
+
+It was thence that he wrote to his brother Dudley, who had just taken
+up a Crown appointment on the Coast, mentioning that he had penetrated
+into the territory known as German East.
+
+The subaltern remembered the letter almost by heart.
+
+"There'll be trouble out here before very long," wrote Rupert.
+"Britishers settling down in this part almost invariably roll a
+cricket-pitch or lay out a football field.  With Hans it is very
+different.  The Germans' idea of colonization is to start building up a
+military organization.  Every 'post' in which there are German settlers
+has its company of armed blacks--Askaris they call them.  And as for
+ammunition, they are laying in stores sufficient to wage a two-years'
+war; not merely small arms ammunition, but quick-firer shells as well.
+Quite by accident I found kegs of cartridges buried close to my camp.
+For what reason?  The natives are quiet enough, so the ammunition is
+not for use against them.  I am sending this letter by a trusty native
+to be posted at Pambete, as it would be unwise to make use of the
+German colonial post.  Meanwhile I am penetrating further into this
+stretch of territory under the Black Cross Ensign--possibly in the
+direction of Tabora.  My researches may be taken seriously by the
+Foreign Office, but I have my doubts.  Fortunately I have a jolly good
+pal with me, a Scotsman named Macgregor, whom I met at Jo-burg.  Don't
+be anxious if you don't hear from me for some time."
+
+The letter was dated July, 1914, and three years, Dudley reflected, is
+a very exaggerated interpretation of the term "some time."  Even taking
+into consideration the lack of efficient internal and external
+communication, the state of war embroiling practically the whole
+civilized world and the perils to which shipping was subjected owing to
+the piratical exploits of the Huns--all these facts would hardly offer
+sufficient explanation for a total absence of news from Rupert
+Wilmshurst unless----
+
+There are parts of Africa which are still described as the Dark
+Continent--wild, desolate stretches where a man can disappear without
+leaving the faintest trace of the manner of his presumed death, while
+in German East there were unscrupulous despots--the disciples of
+atrocious kultur--only too ready to condemn an Englishman without even
+the farcical formality of a court-martial.
+
+Already events had proved that Rupert Wilmshurst's statement was
+well-founded.  In her African colonies, in Kiau-Chau, and elsewhere for
+years past Germany had been assiduously preparing for The Day.  Under
+the firm but erroneous impression that Great Britain would have her
+hands full in connection with affairs at home, that the Boers in South
+Africa would revolt and that the Empire would fall to pieces at the
+declaration of war between England and Germany, the Hun in Africa had
+prepared huge stores of munitions and trained thousands of native
+troops with the intention of wresting the adjoining ill-defended
+territories from their owners.
+
+No wonder that the Huns hugged themselves with delight when by a
+disastrous stroke of statesmanship Great Britain exchanged the
+crumbling island of Heligoland for some millions of square miles of
+undeveloped territory hitherto held by Germany.  While Heligoland was
+being protected by massive concrete walls and armed by huge guns to
+form a practically impregnable bulwark to the North Sea coast of
+Germany, England was by peaceful methods developing her new African
+acquisition.  Germany could then afford to wait until the favourable
+opportunity and by force of arms seize and hold the territory that was
+once hers and which in the meantime had enormously increased
+commercially at the expense of Britain.
+
+But the Kaiser had miscalculated the loyalty of the colonies.  Canada,
+South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, to say nothing of smaller
+offshoots of the Empire, had rallied to the flag.  Boers who fourteen
+years previously had fought doggedly and determinedly against England
+volunteered for service, and their offer was accepted for expeditions
+against German West Africa and then against German East, while shoulder
+to shoulder with their late enemies were Imperial troops, including
+Indian and West African contingents.  Amongst the reinforcements from
+the latter was the Nth West African Regiment.
+
+By six o'clock breakfast was over and the troops were falling in for
+parade and C.O.'s inspection.  As Second Lieutenant Wilmshurst crossed
+the dusty barrack "square," which was a rectangle enclosed on three
+sides by the native huts and on the fourth by the Quartermaster's
+"stores" and orderly room, he found that the men of his platoon were
+already drawn up in full marching order.  At the sight of their young
+officer--for it was the first time for several weeks that Wilmshurst
+had appeared on parade--a streak of dazzling ivory started and
+stretched from end to end of the line as the Haussas' mouths opened
+wide in welcoming smiles, displaying a lavish array of teeth that
+contrasted vividly with their ebony features.
+
+That Wilmshurst was popular with his men there could be no doubt.  Had
+it been otherwise not a suspicion of a smile would have appeared upon
+their faces.  The subaltern had the knack of handling African troops,
+and without that knack an officer might just as well transfer
+elsewhere.  Firmness, strict impartiality, and consideration for the
+welfare of the men under his orders had been rewarded by a
+whole-hearted devotion on the part of the blacks to "Massa Wilmst,"
+while every man had the satisfaction that he was known by name to the
+junior subaltern.
+
+The company officer had not yet put in an appearance, but the platoon
+commanders and their subordinates were engaged either in discussing
+impending plans or else minutely examining their men's equipment, lest
+the eagle eye of the C.O. should detect some deficiency during the
+forthcoming inspection.
+
+"All correct, sergeant?" enquired Wilmshurst, addressing a tall Haussa,
+Bela Moshi by name.
+
+The sergeant saluted smartly, replying, with a broad smile, that
+everything was in order.  A child by nature, Bela Moshi had developed
+into a smart and efficient soldier without losing the simple
+characteristics of the African native.  He was a first-class marksman,
+although it had required long and patient training to get him to
+understand the use of sights and verniers and to eradicate the belief,
+everywhere prevalent amongst savage races, that to raise the backsight
+to its highest elevation results in harder hitting by the bullet.
+
+Bela Moshi was smart with the machine-gun, too, while for scouting and
+tracking work there were few who equalled him.  The regiment was father
+and mother to the ebon warrior, while of all the officers Wilmshurst
+was his special favourite.
+
+The subaltern realised it but could give no reason for Bela Moshi's
+preferential treatment; not that Wilmshurst had gone out of his way to
+favour the man.  He treated the rank and file of his platoon with
+impartial fairness, ever ready to hear complaints, but woe betide the
+black who tried to "get to windward" of the young officer.
+
+Upon the approach of the C.O. the ranks stiffened.  The display of
+ivory vanished, and with thick, pouting lips, firmly closed, and eyes
+fixed rigidly in front the men awaited the minute inspection.
+
+Colonel Quarrier was a man who had grown grey in the service of the
+Crown.  For over thirty years he had held a commission in the Nth West
+Africa Regiment, rising from a fresh young Second Lieutenant to the
+rank of Colonel Commandant and ruler of the destinies of nearly a
+thousand men.  "Case hardened" to the attacks of mosquitos, his system
+overcharged with malarial germs until the scourge of the Coast failed
+to harm him, Colonel Quarrier possessed one of the principal
+qualifications for bush-fighting in the Tropics--a "salted"
+constitution.
+
+Already he had served in four African campaigns, having but recently
+taken part in the comparatively brief but strenuous Kamarun expedition.
+He was a past-master in the art of fighting in miasmic jungles, and now
+he was about to engage in operations on a larger and slightly different
+scale--bush-fighting in German East, where ranges of temperature are
+experienced from the icy cold air of the upper ground of Kilimanjaro to
+the sweltering heat of the low-lying land but a few degrees south of
+the Line.
+
+The parade over a hoarse order rang out.  A drum and bugle band
+belonging to another regiment struck up a lively air and the black and
+khaki lines swung about into "column of route."
+
+The "Waffs" were off to the conquest of the last of Germany's
+ultra-European colonies.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+CHAOS IN THE CABIN
+
+It was a march of about five miles to the beach along a straight road
+bordered with palm trees.  At some distance from the highway the
+country was thick with scrub, from which the sickly smell of the
+mangroves rose in the still slanting rays of the sun.
+
+Most of the heavy baggage had already been sent down, but with the
+troops were hundreds of native carriers, each bearing a load of about
+sixty pounds, while crowds of native women and children flocked to see
+the last of the regiment for some time to come.
+
+The embarkation had to be performed by means of boats from the open
+beach, against which white rollers surged heavily, the thundering of
+the surf being audible for miles.  At a long distance from the shore,
+so that she appeared little larger than a boat, lay the transport
+_Zungeru_, rolling sluggishly at a single anchor, while steaming slowly
+in the offing was a light cruiser detailed to act as escort to the
+convoy, for more transports were under orders to rendezvous off Cape
+Coast Castle.
+
+Amidst the loud and discordant vociferations of the native boatmen the
+troops boarded the broad, shallow-drafted surf boats, each man having
+the breech-mechanism of his rifle carefully wrapped in oiled canvas to
+prevent injury from salt water.  In batches of twenty the Waffs left
+their native soil, but not before three boat loads had been
+unceremoniously capsized in the surf, to the consternation of the men
+affected and the light-hearted merriment of their more fortunate
+comrades.
+
+Without mishap Wilmshurst gained the accommodation-ladder of the
+_Zungeru_, where brawny British mercantile seamen, perspiring freely in
+the torrid heat, were energetically assisting their black passengers on
+board with encouraging shouts of "Up with you, Sambo!" "Mind your nut,
+Darkie!" and similar exhortations.  The while derricks were swaying in
+and out, whipping the baggage from the holds of the lighters that lay
+alongside, grinding heavily in the swell, fenders notwithstanding.
+
+Having seen the men of his platoon safely on board Wilmshurst went
+below to the two-berthed cabin which he was to share with Laxdale, the
+subaltern of No. 2 platoon.
+
+Opening the door Wilmshurst promptly ducked his head to avoid a
+sweeping blow with a knotted towel which his brother officer was
+wielding desperately and frantically.
+
+"Hullo!" exclaimed Laxdale breathlessly.  "Come in and bear a hand.
+Hope I didn't flick you."
+
+"What's wrong?" enquired Dudley, eyeing with feelings of apprehension
+the sight of the disordered cabin.  "Looks as if a Hun four-point-one
+had been at work here."
+
+The "traps" of both subalterns were littering the floor in utmost
+confusion.  Sheets, blankets and mosquito nets had been torn from the
+bunks, while a smashed water-bottle and glass bore testimony to the
+erratic onslaught of the wildly excited Laxdale.
+
+"Almost wish it had," exclaimed the harassed subaltern.  "I was
+unpacking my kit when a whopping big rat jumped out of this valise.
+I'll swear that rascal of a servant of mine knows all about it.  I had
+to give him a dressing down yesterday for losing some of my gear.
+We'll have to find the animal, Wilmshurst.  A rat is my pet
+abomination."
+
+"Why not leave the door open?" suggested Dudley.
+
+"An' let the bounder go scot-free?" added Laxdale, a gleam of grim
+determination in his eyes.  "No jolly fear.  We'll lay him out
+properly.  Here you are, take this."
+
+He handed Wilmshurst a towel roller made of teak, forming a heavy and
+effective weapon.
+
+"This is where I think the brute's hiding," continued Laxdale,
+indicating a long drawer under the lowermost bunk.  "I was stowing some
+of my gear away when I spotted him.  After five minutes' strafing he
+disappeared, but goodness knows how he managed to get through that
+little slit.  Now stand by."
+
+Entering into the spirit of the chase Dudley knelt down and waited with
+poised stick while Laxdale charily opened the drawer.  Like most
+drawers on board ship and frequently elsewhere it jammed.  By frantic
+up and down movements the subaltern freed it.  Then he waited, both
+officers listening intently.  Not a sound came from within.
+
+"Don't suppose the brute's there after all.  He must have effected a
+strategic movement....  Look out, by Jove!"
+
+Acting upon his impression Laxdale had tugged the drawer half open.
+Instantly there was a vision of a dark object darting with
+lightning-like rapidity.
+
+Down came Wilmshurst's towel roller a fraction of a second too late for
+Mister Rat.  At the same time Laxdale moved his hands along the ledge
+of the drawer and received the full force of the blow across the
+knuckles.
+
+"Sorry!" exclaimed Wilmshurst.
+
+Laxdale, nursing the injured hand, made no audible comment.
+Deliberately he relieved Dudley of the towel-roller, throwing his
+companion the knotted towel in exchange.
+
+"Where's the brute now?" he asked grimly.
+
+A scuffling noise in a tin bath suspended from the cork-cemented roof
+of the cabin betrayed the rodent's temporary hiding-place.  Both men
+looked first at the bath and then at each other.
+
+"It would be as well if we put our helmets on," suggested Wilmshurst,
+replacing his "double-pith" headgear.  "Now, I'll shake the bath and
+you let rip when he falls.  But please don't try to get your own back
+on me."
+
+As a precautionary measure Dudley beat the side of the bath with the
+towel.  It might have been efficacious if the subaltern had been
+engaging in apiarian operations, but as far as present events went it
+was a "frost."
+
+"Tilt it, old man," suggested Laxdale.
+
+Wilmshurst carried out this suggestion only too well.  The bath,
+slipping from its supporting fixtures, clattered noisily to the floor,
+its edge descending heavily upon Dudley's foot.  Again a momentary
+vision of the leaping rodent, then, crash!  With a mighty sweep of the
+tower-roller Laxdale demolished the electric-light globe into a
+thousand fragments.
+
+"Getting on," he remarked cheerfully.  "There'll be a big bill for
+'barrack damages' eh, what?  Where's the brute?"
+
+The rat, terrified by the din, had retired to a recess formed by the
+bulkhead of the cabin and the fixed wash-basin and was acting strictly
+on the defensive.
+
+"Aha!" exclaimed Laxdale.  "Now you're cornered.  No use yelling
+'Mercy, kamerad.'"
+
+Levelling the roller like a billiard cue the subaltern prepared to make
+a thrust and administer the _coup de grace_, but he had forgotten that
+he had not yet found his sea-legs.  A roll of the ship made him lose
+his balance, and he pitched head foremost into the rodent's retreat.
+Like a flash the rat leapt, scampered over Laxdale's helmet, down his
+back and took refuge in the breast-pocket of Wilmshurst's tunic.
+
+Dudley beat all records in slipping off his Sam Browne and discarding
+the tunic, for by the time his companion had regained his feet the
+garment lay on the floor.
+
+"Stamp on it!" yelled the now thoroughly excited and exasperated
+subaltern.
+
+"It's my tunic, remember," protested Dudley firmly as he pushed his
+brother-officer aside.
+
+Just then the door opened, and Spofforth, another member of the "Lone
+Star Crush" appeared, enquiring, "What's all the row about, you
+fellows?  Scrapping?"
+
+"Shut that door!" exclaimed Laxdale hurriedly.  "Either in or out, old
+man."
+
+The hunters suspended operations to wipe the streams of perspiration
+from their faces and to explain matters.
+
+"Ratting, eh?" queried Spofforth.  "You fellows look like a pair of
+Little Willies looting a French chateau."
+
+"Hullo!  More of 'em," murmured Laxdale as the door was unceremoniously
+pushed open and another of the "One Pip" officers made his appearance.
+"Look alive, Danvers, and don't stand there looking in the air.  Walk
+in and take a pew, if you can find one."
+
+"I've come to borrow a glass," remarked the latest arrival.  "Mine's
+smashed and my batman hasn't unpacked my aluminium traps.  Judging by
+appearances, by Jove!  I've drawn a blank.  What's up--a toppin' rag,
+or have the water pipes burst?"
+
+Wilmshurst and Laxdale sat on the upper bunk, Spofforth on the closed
+lid of the wash-basin stand, and Danvers found a temporary
+resting-place on the none too rigid top of a cabin trunk.  Each man
+kept his feet carefully clear of the floor, while four pairs of eyes
+were fixed upon Dudley's tunic, the folds of which were pulsating under
+the violent lung-movements of the sheltering rodent.
+
+"Why not shake the brute out?" suggested Danvers.
+
+"You try it," suggested Laxdale, whose enthusiasm was decidedly on the
+wane.  "Wilmshurst here has turned mouldy.  He refuses point blank to
+let me use his raiment of neutral colour as a door-mat.  I might add
+that if you've ever had the experience of a particularly active member
+of the rodent family scampering down your back you wouldn't be quite so
+keen."
+
+"How about turning out the machine-gun section?" asked Spofforth.
+"Look here, if you fellows want to be ready for tiffen you'd better get
+a move on.  Suppose----"
+
+"Still they come!" exclaimed Laxdale, as a knock sounded on the
+jalousie of the cabin door.  "Come in."
+
+It was Tari Barl in search of his master.
+
+"Tarry Barrel, you old sinner," said Wilmshurst, "can you catch a rat?"
+
+"Me lib for find Mutton Chop, sah," replied the Haussa saluting.  "Find
+him one time and come quick."
+
+Dudley looked enquiringly at his cabin-mate, knowing that Mutton Chop
+was Laxdale's servant.
+
+"Oh, so that rascal's the culprit," declared Laxdale.  "Didn't I say I
+thought so?"
+
+"Bring Mutton Chop here," ordered Wilmshurst, addressing the broadly
+smiling Tari Barl.
+
+The Haussa vanished, presently to reappear with almost an exact
+counterpart of himself.  It would be a difficult matter for a stranger
+to tell the difference between the two natives.
+
+"What d'ye mean, you black scoundrel, by putting a rat into my traps?"
+demanded Laxdale.
+
+"No did put, sah; him lib for come one time," expostulated Laxdale's
+servant.  "Me play, 'Come to cook-house door,' den him catchee."
+
+Producing a small native flute Mutton Chop began to play a soft air.
+For perhaps thirty seconds every one and everything else was still in
+the desolated cabin; then slowly but without any signs of furtiveness
+the rat pushed his head between the folds of Wilmshurst's tunic,
+sniffed, and finally emerged, sat up on his hind legs, his long
+whiskers quivering with evident delight.
+
+Then, with a deft movement, Mutton Chop's fingers closed gently round
+the little animal, and to the astonishment of the four officers the
+Haussa placed the rodent in his breast pocket.
+
+"Me hab mascot same as officers, sahs!" he explained.  "No put him
+here, sah; me make tidy."
+
+"And there's the officers' call!" exclaimed Dudley as a bugle rang out.
+"Dash it all, how's a fellow to put on the thing?"
+
+And he indicated the crumpled tunic.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE RAIDER
+
+Accompanied by five other transports and escorted by the light cruiser
+_Tompion_, the _Zungeru_ ploughed her way at a modest fifteen knots
+through the tropical waters of the Atlantic.  Although there was little
+to fear from the attacks of U-boats, for up to the present these craft
+had not appeared south of the Equator, mines had been laid by disguised
+German ships right in the area where numerous trade routes converge in
+the neighbourhood of the Cape of Good Hope, while there were rumours,
+hitherto unconfirmed, that an armed raider was at large in the South
+Atlantic.
+
+Provided the convoy kept together there was little danger in daytime in
+that direction, but the possibilities of the raider making a sudden
+dash during the hours of darkness and using gun and torpedo with
+disastrous results could not be overlooked.
+
+The issue of lifebelts to the native troops puzzled them greatly.  They
+could not understand the precaution, for they were ignorant of the
+danger of making voyages in war-time.  Their faith in the "big canoes"
+of King George was so firm that, sea-sickness notwithstanding, they had
+no doubts or fears concerning their safe arrival in the land where
+Briton, Boer, Indian and African were doing their level best to stamp
+out the blight of German kultur.
+
+At four bells (2 a.m.) on the fifth day of the voyage Wilmshurst was
+roused from his sleep by a commotion on deck.  Men were running hither
+and thither carrying out a series of orders shouted in stentorian
+tones.  The _Zungeru_ was altering course without slackening speed,
+listing noticeably to starboard as the helm was put hard over.
+
+Almost at the same time Laxdale awoke.
+
+"What's up?" he enquired drowsily.
+
+"I don't know," replied his companion.  "I can hear Spofforth and
+Danvers going on deck.  Let's see what's doing."
+
+Acting upon this suggestion the two officers hastily donned their great
+coats over their pyjamas, slipped their feet into their canvas slices
+and went on deck.
+
+It was a calm night.  The crescent moon was low down in the western
+sky, but its brilliance was sufficient to enable objects to be seen
+distinctly.  Silhouetted against the slanting beams was the escorting
+cruiser, which was pelting along at full speed and overhauling the
+_Zungeru_ hand over fist.  Although the cruiser and her convoy were
+without steaming lights the former's yard-arm lamp was blinking out a
+message in Morse.
+
+The transports were in "double column line ahead," steaming due west
+instead of following the course that would bring them within sight of
+Table Bay.  Less than a cable's length on the starboard column's beam
+was the cruiser.  She had already overtaken two of the transports, and
+was now lapping the _Zungeru's_ quarter.
+
+The object of this nocturnal display of activity was now apparent.
+Less than a mile away was a large steamer, which had just steadied on
+her helm and was now on a parallel course to that of the convoy.
+
+"Anything startling?" enquired a major of one of the _Zungeru's_
+officers who was passing.
+
+"Oh, no," was the reply.  "A tramp was trying to cut across our bows.
+The _Tompion_ has signalled to know what's her little game.  She's just
+replied that she's the steamship _Ponto_, and wants to know whether
+there have been any signs of a supposed raider."
+
+The ship's officer continued on his way.  The two subalterns, in no
+hurry to return to their bunks, for the night air was warm and
+fragrant, remained on deck, watching the manoeuvres of the cruiser and
+the _Ponto_.
+
+The exchange of signals continued for about ten minutes, then the
+_Tompion_ resumed her station at the head of the convoy, while the
+_Ponto_ took up her position on the beam of the starboard line.
+Presently in obedience to a signal the ships altered helm and settled
+down on their former course, the large steamer following suit, although
+dropping steadily astern, for her speed was considerably less than that
+of the transports.
+
+Presently the ship's officer returned.  As he passed Wilmshurst stopped
+him, enquiring whether anything had developed.
+
+"The _Ponto_ has cold feet," explained the _Zungeru's_ officer.  "Her
+Old Man seems to be under the impression that there is a Hun scuttling
+around, so he's signalled for permission to tail on to us.  The cruiser
+offered no objection, provided the speed of the convoy is unaffected,
+so by daylight the tramp will be hull-down, I expect."
+
+"Much ado about nothing," remarked Laxdale.  "I say, old man, let's
+turn in again.  What's the matter with you?"
+
+He grasped Wilmshurst by the arm.  The subaltern, apparently heedless
+of the touch, was gazing fixedly at the tramp.  The mercantile officer
+and Laxdale both followed the direction of his look, the former giving
+vent to a low whistle.
+
+From above the gunwale of a boat stowed amidships on the _Ponto_ a
+feeble light glimmered.
+
+"Help--German raider," it signalled.
+
+"You read it?" enquired the sailor hurriedly, as if to confirm the
+evidence of his own eyes.
+
+"Yes," replied Wilmshurst, and repeated the signal.
+
+Without another word the _Zungeru's_ officer turned and raced to the
+bridge.  In a few moments the signal was passed on to the _Tompion_ by
+means of a flashlamp, the rays of which were invisible save from the
+direction of the receiver.
+
+"Very good," was the cruiser's reply.  "Carry on."
+
+A little later the general order was flashed in to the convoy.
+"Increase speed to seventeen knots."
+
+The instructions were promptly carried out as far as the transports
+were concerned, but from the _Ponto_ came a signal: "Am doing my
+maximum speed.  Must drop astern if speed of convoy is not reduced."
+
+"The blighter has got hold of the code all right," remarked Laxdale.
+"We'll wait and see the fun.  Wonder why we are whacking up speed?"
+
+"The cruiser wants to get the transports out of harm's way, I should
+imagine," replied Wilmshurst.  "By Jove, it's rummy how news spreads.
+The whole mess is coming on deck."
+
+The arrival of the colonel and almost all the other officers in various
+"fancy rig" proved the truth of Dudley's remark.  Armed with field
+glasses, marine-glasses, and telescopes the officers gathered aft,
+dividing their attention between the labouring _Ponto_ and the
+greyhound _Tompion_.
+
+In about an hour the tramp had dropped astern to the distance of a
+little over five miles, but was still maintaining a course parallel to
+that of the convoy, while the escorting cruiser was still zig-zagging
+across the bows of the leading transports.
+
+Presently the _Tompion_ turned sharply to starboard, steering westward
+for quite two miles before she shaped a course exactly opposite to that
+of the convoy, signalling the while to the _Ponto_, asking various,
+almost commonplace questions regarding her speed and coal-consumption.
+
+It was merely a ruse to lull suspicion.  With every gun manned and
+torpedoes launched home the cruiser flung about until she was bows on
+to the stern of the tramp.  Then came the decided mandate: "Heave-to
+and send a boat."
+
+Unable to bring more than three guns to bear astern the Hun raider--for
+such the so-called _Ponto_ was--ported helm, her speed increasing
+rapidly.  Almost at the same time a six-inch gun sent a shell
+perilously close to the weather side of the cruiser's fore-bridge.
+
+Before the raider could fire a second time three shells struck her
+close to the stern-post, literally pulverising the whole of the poop.
+The after six-inch gun, which had been concealed under a dummy
+deck-house, was blown from its mountings, the heavy weapon crashing
+through the shattered decks to the accompaniment of a shower of
+splinters and a dense pall of flame-tinged smoke.
+
+It was more than the Huns bargained for.  Knowing that the British
+cruiser was already aware of the presence of a number of prisoners on
+board the raider counted on the _Tompion_ withholding her fire.  The
+_Ponto_ would then "crack on speed," for in spite of her alleged
+maximum of eleven knots she was capable of working up to twenty-eight,
+or a knot more than the speed of the cruiser under forced draught.
+These hopes were nipped in the bud by the _Tompion_ blowing away the
+_Ponto's_ stern and putting both propellers out of action.
+
+Of subsequent events immediately following the brief action Wilmshurst
+and his brother officers saw little.  Their whole attention was
+directed towards their men, for the Haussas, on hearing the gun-fire,
+impetuously made a rush on deck--not by reason of panic but out of the
+deep curiosity that is ever to the fore in the minds of West African
+natives to a far greater extent than in the case of Europeans.
+
+Next morning the _Ponto_ was nowhere to be seen.  She had foundered
+within two hours of the engagement, while two hundred of her officers
+and crew were prisoners of war on board the _Tompion_, and a hundred
+and twenty British subjects, mostly the crews of vessels taken and sunk
+by the raider, found themselves once more under the banner of
+liberty--the White Ensign.
+
+During the course of the day Wilmshurst heard the salient facts in
+connection with the raider's career.  She was the Hamburg-Amerika
+intermediate liner _Porfurst_, who, after being armed and camouflaged,
+had contrived to escape the cordon of patrol-boats in the North
+Atlantic.  For three months she had followed her piratical occupation,
+re-provisioning and re-coaling from the vessels she captured.  Whenever
+her prisoners grew in number sufficiently to cause inconvenience the
+_Porfurst_ spared one of her prizes for the purpose of landing the
+captives in some remote port.
+
+It was by a pure fluke that the raider ran almost blindly under the
+guns of the _Tompion_.  Under the impression that the convoy consisted
+of unescorted merchantmen the _Porfurst_ steamed athwart their track,
+and slowing down to eleven or twelve knots, awaited the arrival of a
+likely prey.
+
+Finding too late that the convoy was not so impotent as at first
+appearance the kapitan of the _Porfurst_ attempted a daring ruse.  Upon
+being challenged by the cruiser he gave the vessel's name as _Ponto_,
+the real craft having been sunk by the raider only two days previously.
+The Hun stood a chance of dropping astern and slipping away but for the
+furtive and timely warning signalled by a young apprentice, who,
+contriving to creep unobserved into one of the boats, made good use of
+a small electric torch which he had managed to retain.
+
+Enquiries of the released prisoners resulted in the information that
+they had been treated by their captors in a far better manner than the
+Huns generally deal with those unfortunate individuals who fall into
+their hands.  The kapitan of the _Porfurst_ was no exception to the
+usual run of Germans.  It was the possibility of capture--which had
+developed into a certainty--that had influenced him in his treatment of
+the crews of the sunk ships.  Only the fear of just reprisals kept him
+within the bounds of civilized warfare, and having behaved in an
+ostentatiously proper manner towards the prisoners he received in
+return honourable treatment on board the _Tompion_.
+
+When the convoy was within two days' sail of Table Bay another convoy
+was sighted steering north, while wireless orders were received for the
+_Tompion_ to escort the homeward bound ships and let the transports
+"carry on" under the protection of two destroyers sent from Simon's
+Town.
+
+Upon receipt of these orders the captain of the cruiser signalled the
+_Zungeru_, asking her to receive on board the released crews of the
+sunk ships and to land them at Table Bay.  Although wondering why the
+men should be set ashore at the Cape instead of being taken back to
+England the master of the transport offered no objection, and
+preparations were made to tranship the ex-prisoners.
+
+Knowing several officers of the mercantile marine, Wilmshurst strolled
+into the _Zungeru's_ ship's office and asked the purser's clerk to let
+him have a look at the list of supernumeraries.  There was a chance
+that some of his acquaintances might be amongst the released prisoners
+now on board the transport.
+
+As far as the officers' names were concerned Dudley "drew blank."  He
+was on the point of handing the type-written list back to the purser's
+clerk when he noticed a few names written in red ink--three civilians
+who had been taking passages in ships that had fallen victims to the
+raider _Porfurst_.
+
+"MacGregor--Robert; of Umfuli, Rhodesia--that's remarkable," thought
+Wilmshurst.  "That's the name of Rupert's chum.  Wonder if it's the
+same man?  There may be dozens of MacGregors in Rhodesia; I'll see if I
+can get in touch with this MacGregor."
+
+That same afternoon the Rhodesian was pointed out to Dudley by the
+third mate as he strolled into the smoking-room.
+
+Robert MacGregor was a man of about thirty-eight or forty, tall,
+raw-boned and with curling hair that had a decided auburn hue.  In the
+absence of any description of Rupert's chum, Dudley had no idea of what
+he was like, and until he approached this MacGregor his curiosity was
+not likely to be satisfied.
+
+"Excuse me," began Wilmshurst.  "I believe your name is Robert
+MacGregor?"
+
+The Rhodesian, without showing any surprise at the subaltern's
+question, merely nodded.  A man who has lived practically alone for
+years in the wilds is not usually ready with his tongue.
+
+"Did you ever run across a man called Wilmshurst--Rupert Wilmshurst?"
+continued Dudley.  "He's my brother, you know," he added by way of
+explanation.
+
+"Yes," replied MacGregor slowly.  "He was a chum of mine."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+SPOFFORTH, MACGREGOR, AND THE LIONESS
+
+Robert MacGregor pulled a pipe from his pocket and leisurely filled it
+with Boer tobacco.  His slow, deliberate way contrasted forcibly with
+Wilmshurst's quick, incisive manner; his slow dialect would have
+irritated the subaltern beyond measure but for the fact that he guessed
+the Rhodesian to be of Scots descent.
+
+Dudley noticed particularly that MacGregor had referred to his brother
+in the past tense.  It sounded ominous.
+
+"Was a chum?" he repeated with an accent on the first word.
+
+"In a sense, yes," replied MacGregor.  "We went for a couple of trips
+into German East.  The last time was just before the war.  You know why
+we went?"
+
+"It was in connection with a hidden store of ammunition, I believe,"
+replied Wilmshurst.
+
+The Rhodesian nodded slowly, puffing steadily at his pipe.
+
+"Rupert found a mare's nest, I fancy," he continued.  "At any rate,
+before we made any really important discoveries I had to go back to
+Jo'burg.  Had no option, so to speak.  Then, in connection with the
+same business, I penetrated into German South-West Africa.  I was in
+Bersheba for nearly a fortnight before I heard that war had broken out,
+and the first intimation I had was being put under arrest and sent up
+country to Windhoek.
+
+"When Botha overrun the colony I was released and offered a sound job
+at Walfisch Bay--fairly important Government appointment in connection
+with the distilling plant.  That completed I thought I'd trek back to
+Rhodesia and do a bit in German East.  Thinking I would do the trip
+round quicker by sea I took passage on the _Ibex_, a tramp of about two
+thousand tons, and within twelve hours of leaving Walfisch Bay the boat
+was captured by the _Porfurst_."
+
+"I hope I'm not tiring you with too many questions," said Wilmshurst
+after he had made several enquiries respecting his brother.  The
+answers received were far from satisfactory, for MacGregor seemed to
+make a point of "switching off" the subject of Rupert Wilmshurst and
+dwelling at length on his own adventures.
+
+"Not at all," replied the Rhodesian.  "As regards your brother you may
+get in touch with him, but German East is a whacking big country.  Are
+you part of a brigade?" he asked.
+
+"We're just the 'Waffs,'" replied Dudley.  "The West African Field
+Force, you know.  As regards numbers or our scene of action I haven't
+the remotest idea at present.  I don't believe that even the colonel
+knows."
+
+"At any rate," continued MacGregor, "I think I'll see your colonel and
+get him to let me proceed in the _Zungeru_.  It doesn't very much
+matter whether I join the Rhodesian contingent, although I'd prefer to,
+or get attached to one of the Boer detachments, or even your crush, if
+they'd have me.  I don't want to brag, Mr. Wilmshurst, but I'd be
+mighty useful, knowing the country as I do."
+
+MacGregor's application met with favourable consideration, although he
+did not tell Wilmshurst the result of the interview with the colonel
+until the transports dropped anchor in Table Bay and the rest of the
+released men went ashore.
+
+Bad weather off Cape Agulhas made the rounding of the southernmost part
+of Africa a disagreeable business, but in ideal climatic conditions the
+convoy, with two destroyers still on escort duties, approached Cape
+Delgado, beyond which the territory of German East commences.
+
+The short tropical dusk was deepening into night when two tramp
+steamers were sighted, bearing N.N.E.  In obedience to a signal from
+one of the destroyers they revealed themselves as two Dutch trading
+ships bound from Batavia to Rotterdam, but driven out of their course
+by a succession of gales at the commencement of the south-west monsoon.
+
+Commanded to heave-to both vessels were boarded by examination officers
+from the destroyer, but their papers being quite in order and nothing
+of a suspicious nature discovered amongst the cargo they were allowed
+to proceed.
+
+At daybreak the convoy learnt that both vessels had been shelled and
+destroyed by a British cruiser, but not in time to prevent them landing
+two batteries of 4.1 inch Krupp field-guns at the mouth of the Mohoro
+river.
+
+"Rough luck those vessels slipping through the blockade like that,"
+commented Spofforth.  "Those guns are as good as a couple of battalions
+of Askaris to the Huns."
+
+"Never mind," rejoined Danvers.  "It'll put a bit of heart into Fritz
+and make him buck up.  That'll give us a chance of smelling powder."
+
+"Perhaps," said Wilmshurst.  "I heard the major say that field
+artillery was more of a drag than a benefit to the Boers in the South
+African War.  It destroyed their mobility to a great extent, and not
+until we had captured most of the guns did the Boer start proper
+guerilla tactics--and you know how long that lasted."
+
+"Hanged if I want to go foot-slogging the whole length and breadth of
+German East," commented Danvers.  "I'd rather tackle a dozen batteries
+than tramp for a twelve-month on end.  So this is that delightful spot,
+Kilwa?"
+
+He pointed to a long, low-lying expanse of land, covered with trees.
+Away to the northward the ground rose, forming a plateau of coral
+nearly fifty feet above the sea, and on which many huge baobab trees
+were growing.  The shores surrounding the harbour were low and covered
+with mangroves, but in and out could be discerned several lofty hills.
+Here and there could be seen isolated native huts, while at the head of
+the harbour clustered the thatch and tin-roofed houses of the German
+settlement, which had for several months been in British occupation.
+
+With their systematic thoroughness the Huns had vastly improved the
+health of the hitherto miasmic-infested port, following the principles
+adopted by the Americans during the construction of the Panama Canal.
+Consequently much of the terrors of the fever-stricken port of Kilwa in
+by-gone days had disappeared, and with the continuance of ordinary
+precautions the place offered a suitable base for the columns about to
+operate between the Mohoro and Rovuma rivers.
+
+Without undue delay the Waffs were disembarked and sent under canvas on
+fairly high ground at some distance from the harbour.  For the next
+week intense activity prevailed, the men being strenuously subjected to
+the acclimatising process, while the horses and mules had to be
+carefully watched lest the deadly sleeping-sickness should make its
+appearance at the commencement of the operations and thus place the
+troops under severe disadvantages.
+
+The officers, too, were not spared.  Drills and parades over they had
+to attend lectures, tactical problems having to be worked out by the
+aid of military maps.
+
+These maps, based upon German surveys, were the most accurate
+obtainable, but even then they left much to be desired.  Subsequent
+knowledge of the country showed that frequently roads and native paths
+were indicated that had no actual existence, while on the other hand
+passable tracks were discovered that were not shown on the maps.  More
+than likely the wily Huns allowed what were presumed to be official
+maps to fall into the hands of the British, having taken particular
+care to make them misleading.  It was but one of many examples of the
+way in which Germany prepared for war not only in Europe but in her
+territorial appendages beyond the sea.
+
+MacGregor landed with the troops and was given a semi-official position
+as scout and attached to the same battalion to which Wilmshurst
+belonged.  Gradually his taciturnity diminished, until he developed
+into a fairly communicative individual and was generally popular with
+the Mess.
+
+During the stay in camp at Kilwa Wilmshurst, Danvers, Spofforth and
+Laxdale snatched the opportunity of going on a lion-hunting expedition,
+MacGregor on their invitation accompanying them.
+
+Taking .303 Service rifles, for which a supply of notched bullets was
+provided (for game shooting purposes only these terribly destructive
+missiles are allowable), and with Sergt. Bela Moshi and half a dozen
+Haussas as attendants the five men left Kilwa camp at about two hours
+before sunset.
+
+An hour and ten minutes' ride brought them to a native village where
+several lions had been terrorising the inhabitants by their nocturnal
+depredations.  Here the horses were left under the charge of one of the
+Haussas, and the party set out on foot into the bush.
+
+"Think we'll have any luck, MacGregor?" asked Laxdale.  "Hanged if I
+want to spend all night lugging a rifle about without the chance of a
+shot."
+
+The Rhodesian smiled dourly.  He knew the supreme optimism of amateur
+huntsmen and the general disinclination of the King of Beasts to be
+holed by a bullet.
+
+"Unless a lion is ravenously hungry he will not put in an appearance,"
+he replied.  "Of course we might strike his spoor and follow him up.
+We'll see what luck we get when the moon rises."
+
+For some distance the party travelled in silence.  With the darkness a
+halt was called, for until the bush was flooded with the strong
+moonlight further progress was almost impossible.
+
+Away on the right, at not so very great a distance, came the bleat of a
+goat, while further away still could be heard the awe-inspiring roar of
+the lions after their prey.
+
+"Hanged if I like the idea of those huge brutes leaping right upon us,"
+whispered Spofforth.  "I, being the tallest of the crush, will be sure
+to bear the brunt of his leap."
+
+Spofforth was the giant of the battalion, standing six feet four inches
+in his socks, and proportionately broad of shoulder and massive of
+limb.  At the last regimental sports he carried off the running,
+long-jump and hurdle events, while as a boxer and a wrestler he was a
+match for most men, yet he expressed his fears with all sincerity,
+inwardly wishing for the rising of the moon.
+
+The Haussas, too, were far from comfortable.  Had they their wish they
+would have lighted a roaring fire, one of the most effective though not
+infallible means of keeping wild animals at bay.
+
+The fifty minutes' halt in the desolate bush terminated when the deep
+orange-hued orb of night rose above the distant sea.  As the shadows
+shortened the trek was resumed, each man keeping his loaded rifle ready
+for instant use.
+
+Before they had gone two hundred yards, following a native path on
+which the spoor of a couple of lions was distinctly visible, Laxdale
+suddenly disappeared, while Wilmshurst, who was walking hard on his
+heels, was only just able to save himself from following his example.
+
+Followed a great commotion in which the luckless subaltern's shouts
+mingled with the terrified bleating of a goat.
+
+"Help us out, you fellows," cried Laxdale in desperation.  "I've a
+whole menagerie for company by the feel of it."
+
+"You'll scare every lion within five miles of us, laddie," expostulated
+MacGregor, kneeling at the edge of the pitfall and peering into the
+darkness within.
+
+With the assistance of his electric torch Wilmshurst made the discovery
+that the trap was a hole of about twelve feet in depth and about the
+same distance in length.  In breadth it overlapped the path, its
+presence being skilfully concealed by branches of trees overlaid with
+broad leaves on which earth had been thrown and lightly pressed so as
+to give it the appearance of part of the beaten track.  In the floor of
+the pit pointed stakes had been driven, but fortunately Laxdale had
+fallen between them and thus escaped being impaled.  His sole companion
+was a goat that, left without food and water, was to act as a decoy to
+the lions.  Evidently the pitfall had been recently dug, otherwise the
+spoor of the beasts would not be visible on both sides of it.
+
+"Dash the villagers!" exclaimed Spofforth impetuously.  "Why the deuce
+didn't the headsman give us warning of the beastly trap?  Here, Beta
+Moshi, cut a couple of young trees and knock up a ladder.  Cheer-o,
+Laxdale, dear boy.  Just try and imagine you've found the better 'ole."
+
+"Imagination goes a long way," retaliated the imprisoned sub., "but you
+just jump down and put your suggestion to the practical test.  I
+believe I'm being chawn up by white ants, and I'm certain that the
+jiggers are already tackling my toes."
+
+Promptly Bela Moshi set the Haussas to work, and a rough-and-ready
+ladder having been constructed, Laxdale, little the worse for his
+unexpected tumble, was released from the pitfall.
+
+The journey was resumed.  Contrary to MacGregor's assertion the lions
+had not been frightened away, for their deep, characteristic roar could
+be heard with greater distinctness than before, although they were a
+good distance away.
+
+MacGregor looked like proving a true prophet, however, for after
+following a fresh spoor for miles the hunters drew blank.  At the edge
+of a pool of stagnant water the tracks ended abruptly.
+
+"I don't fancy that water-hole," said Wilmshurst.  "It savours of
+mosquitoes and other pests.  How goes the time?"
+
+Danvers consulted his wristlet watch.
+
+"Nearly four o'clock," he announced.  "If we are to be in camp by eight
+we'll have to look slippy."
+
+A rustling sound in the grass within a few yards of the spot where the
+hunters were standing attracted their attention.  With rifles ready to
+open fire they waited.  They could see the coarse tufts waving in the
+moonlight.
+
+"Stand by!" exclaimed Wilmshurst, handing his rifle to Bela Moshi, and
+before his companions could grasp the situation the subaltern plunged
+into the grass, made a sudden dash, and was back with a healthy young
+lion cub in his arms.
+
+"We've bagged something, at all events," he remarked triumphantly.
+"The little beggar got adrift, I suppose."
+
+"What are you going to do with it, old man?" asked Spofforth
+facetiously.  "Use it as a decoy or train it to guard your kit in camp?"
+
+"Just as likely as not the cub will act as a decoy," said Laxdale.
+"Let the little brute yap a bit."
+
+"He's yapping quite enough as it is," rejoined Wilmshurst.  "Hanged if
+we can hear anything with that noise.  I hope you fellows are keeping
+on the alert?"
+
+"MacGregor's doing that," replied Danvers, indicating the silent form
+of the Rhodesian, as he stood motionless as a statue, with his rifle
+ready for instant use.
+
+"Hear anything, MacGregor?" enquired Spofforth.
+
+The man shook his head.
+
+"Thought I did," he replied, "but I must have been mistaken."
+
+Giving the cub into the care of Bela Moshi, Wilmshurst followed his
+companions as they tramped in single file along the narrow bush track,
+the Haussas tailing on to the end of the procession.
+
+The edge of the bush was almost reached when Laxdale, with a splendid
+shot at a hundred and twenty yards, brought down a large panther.  A
+halt was made while the blacks skinned the dead beast, for in
+practically waterless districts panther-skin is a valuable aid to the
+efficiency of a Maxim gun.  Soaked in water, wrapped round the jacket
+of the weapon, the evaporation keeps the gun cooler for a longer time
+than if the water within the jacket alone were used.
+
+Upon coming within sight of the camp the white men were able to walk
+side by side in comparatively open country.
+
+MacGregor, Laxdale, and Danvers were on ahead, Spofforth and Wilmshurst
+about fifty paces behind, Bela Moshi with the cub was close on Dudley's
+heels, while the Haussas with the dead panther were some distance in
+the rear, the blacks carrying the officers' rifles since the hunters
+were clear of the bush.
+
+"I'll take the cub," said Wilmshurst, noticing that the native sergeant
+was stumbling frequently as he carefully nursed the somewhat fretful
+animal.
+
+"Berry good, sah," replied Bela Moshi, handing the cub to the
+subaltern.  "I tink, sah, dat----"
+
+A chorus of yells and warning shouts from the Haussas made the officers
+turn pretty sharply.  What they saw was something that they had badly
+wanted to see but at the present moment had not the faintest desire to
+meet.
+
+Leaping with prodigious bounds across the flat ground was an enormous
+lioness.  The devoted beast had followed her cub for miles, her
+instinct telling her that when the men halted her opportunity would
+come to recover the little animal.  A lioness bereft of her cubs has
+been known to follow hunters for days in order either to recover or
+revenge her offspring.  The sight of the large camp, however, must have
+incited the gigantic feline to premature action.
+
+Of the five white men only MacGregor retained his rifle.  Laxdale and
+Danvers took to their heels, making for a large baobab that stood about
+fifty yards away.  Strange to relate, MacGregor followed suit,
+thrusting a clip of cartridges into the magazine of his rifle as he
+ran.  Wilmshurst, hampered by the cub, stood stock still, fascinated by
+the awesome sight of the approaching lioness.
+
+Ten yards in front of Wilmshurst stood Spofforth, swaying gently on his
+toes, his bulky figure thrown slightly forward and his arms
+outstretched.
+
+"Run for it!" he exclaimed in a high-pitched, unnatural voice, but
+without turning his head.
+
+Wilmshurst disobeyed--for one thing he was unable to tear himself away;
+his feet seemed rooted to the ground.  For another, a sense of
+camaraderie urged him to remain an impassive spectator of the impending
+struggle between an unarmed man, who had voluntarily interposed his big
+bulk between the hampered subaltern and the infuriated animal.
+
+The lioness, roaring loudly, leapt.  Spofforth closed just as her
+forepaws touched the ground, and the next instant man and beast were
+engaged in a terrible struggle.
+
+The powerful officer clutched the lioness just below the jaws with both
+hands, holding her in a vice-like grip.  With his feet dug firmly, into
+the ground he held, swaying to and fro but not giving an inch while the
+cruel talons of the ferocious beast were lacerating his arms from
+shoulder to wrist.
+
+Exerting every ounce of strength Spofforth bore down, striving to
+fracture the terrible jaws.  Once the lioness succeeded in dealing him
+a blow with her paw that, but for the protection afforded by his double
+pith helmet would have brained the man.  For a few seconds Spofforth
+reeled, his head-gear fell to the ground, leaving his skull unprotected
+should the lioness repeat the terrifically powerful stroke; yet not for
+a moment did his grip release.
+
+Through an eddying cloud of dust raised by the struggle Wilmshurst
+watched the unequal conflict, until his will-power overcoming the
+initial stages of hypnotic impotence, he threw the cub to the ground
+and drew his knife.
+
+With a sensation akin to that of a mild-tempered individual who essays
+with his bare hands to separate two large and ferocious dogs engaged in
+combat Wilmshurst edged towards the flank of the lioness with the
+intention of hamstringing the tensioned sinews of her hind legs.
+
+Before he could deliver the stroke Bela Moshi grasped his officer by
+the shoulders and unceremoniously jerked him aside; then lifting a
+rifle to his shoulders the Haussa sergeant pressed the trigger.
+
+Down in a convulsive heap fell Spofforth and the lioness, the brute
+frantically pawing both her antagonist and the dust in her death
+agonies.  Then with a sharp shudder the animal stretched herself and
+died, while the subaltern, utterly exhausted, lay inertly upon the
+ground, his rent sleeve stained with still spreading dark patches.
+
+By that time Laxdale and Danvers were upon the scene.  Temporary
+bandages were applied to Spofforth's ugly-looking wounds, while the
+greatly concerned Haussas improvised a litter made of rifles and coats.
+Upon this the badly-mauled subaltern was placed and the journey resumed
+towards the camp, the dead lioness and her very much alive cub being
+carried in as trophies of the night's work.
+
+"Where's MacGregor?" asked Wilmshurst.
+
+Laxdale and Danvers exchanged enquiring glances.
+
+"Hanged if I know," said the former.  "The last I saw of him was when
+he was making for the baobab.  We were a set of blighters scooting off
+and leaving old Spofforth to act like a modern Horatius."
+
+All three subalterns knew that the Rhodesian was the only man on the
+spot who had a rifle ready, yet generously they forbore to give
+expression to their thoughts.
+
+"See if you can find Mr. MacGregor," ordered Wilmshurst, addressing
+Bela Moshi.
+
+"Me go, sah," replied the sergeant, and promptly he set off towards the
+baobab, keeping his eyes fixed upon the ground.
+
+Arriving at the tree Bela Moshi rested his rifle against the trunk and
+with the agility of a cat swarmed up to one of the lowermost branches.
+Both Laxdale and Danvers could see that it was a different part of the
+tree from that in which they had taken refuge.
+
+Crouching on the enormous limb Bela Moshi remained motionless for a few
+moments--a patch of huddled black and khaki hardly distinguishable from
+the sun-baked bark.  Then he dropped lightly to the ground and by a
+movement of his arms signalled to some of the Haussas to approach.
+
+"By Jove, Bela Moshi's found him!" exclaimed Danvers, and the three
+subalterns hurried to the spot.
+
+It was MacGregor they saw, lying face downwards on a bed of dried
+grass.  The Rhodesian was unconscious, but on examination no trace of
+an injury could be found.  In his panic he had succeeded in climbing
+the tree as far as the lowermost branch and had been seized with a
+sudden faintness.
+
+While the three officers were bending over him MacGregor opened his
+eyes.  Gradually their haunted expression gave place to a look of
+bewilderment, until he realised that he was surrounded by friends.
+
+"By smoke!" he ejaculated.  "I had cold feet with a vengeance--and
+before a lot of niggers, too."
+
+"So did we--that is, Danvers and I were in a mortal hurry to get out of
+the way of the lioness," rejoined Laxdale.  "Good old Spofforth bore
+the brunt of it, and he's badly mauled."
+
+"Is that so?" asked MacGregor.  "I am sorry.  It's a bad beginning,
+this running away business.  I only hope the colonel and the others
+won't take it badly."
+
+"Don't worry, old chap," said Danvers.  "Feeling fit to foot it?  Good.
+We've got to get Spofforth back as quickly as possible."
+
+Walking with difficulty MacGregor managed to keep pace with the three
+officers, and presently the rough-and-ready stretcher was overtaken.
+Upon arriving at the camp the medical staff were soon busy, with the
+result that the wounds of the injured hunter were properly dressed.
+
+"Not so serious as at first sight," declared the senior medical
+officer.  "Unless complications set in he'll be fit in a month, but
+he'll carry the scars all his life."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+HOW THE KOPJE WAS STORMED
+
+A few days later the battalion left Kilwa for the scene of action, a
+strong force of Germans being located by seaplane reconnaissance twenty
+miles north of the Rovuma River and nearly four times that distance
+from the coast.
+
+Acting in conjunction with three battalions of the Waffs were a mounted
+Boer contingent and a Punjabi regiment that had already done good
+service in the northern part of the hostile colony, while three
+seaplanes were "attached" to the expedition for reconnoitring purposes.
+
+In high spirits the Waffs marched out of camp, eager for the chance of
+a scrap.  The only malcontents were half-a-dozen hospital cases who
+perforce had to be left behind; amongst them, to his great disgust,
+Second Lieutenant Spofforth, who though convalescent was unable to
+bluff the doctor that his arm was "quite all right--doesn't
+inconvenience me in the least, don't you know."
+
+At the end of four days' hard marching through scrubby grounds the
+troops began to climb the almost trackless hinterland, where water was
+scarce and vegetation scanty.  It was much of the same nature as the
+veldt in the dry season, kopjes being plentifully in evidence.  There
+were unpleasant traces of Fritz and his native auxiliaries, for several
+of the springs had been systematically poisoned and
+cunningly-constructed booby-traps were frequently encountered.
+
+Nevertheless all arms were sanguine of bringing the Huns to bay.
+Strong Belgian forces operating from the westward were driving the
+enemy towards the advancing British, while across the Rovuma Portuguese
+troops, well supplied with light field-artillery, were considered a bar
+to any attempted "break-through" on the southern frontier.
+
+Towards evening scouts reported the "spoor" of the enemy, for the
+ground bore the impression of thousands of naked footprints and those
+of about a hundred booted men.  A strong force of German Askaris,
+supported by a "white" body of troops with machine guns and mule
+batteries, were retiring in a north-westerly direction, while a small
+detachment had broken off and was making almost north-east.
+
+It was against the latter party that the Nth Waffs were to operate,
+since it was recognised that a small, mobile, and determined body of
+the enemy would give almost if not quite as much trouble as a large and
+consequently more cumbersome force hampered with guns in a difficult
+country.
+
+"Hullo!" exclaimed Wilmshurst, as a couple of Haussa scouts hurriedly
+and stealthily rejoined the advance guard.  "Tarry Barrel and Spot Cash
+have tumbled upon something."
+
+"Hun he lib for stop, sah," reported Tari Barl.
+
+"Stopping to make fight?" asked the subaltern eagerly.
+
+The Haussa shook his head, and moved his jaw after the manner of a
+person eating.
+
+"Lib for stop for grub," he exclaimed.  "After that on him go."
+
+"How far?" demanded Wilmshurst.
+
+Tari Barl indicated that the scouts had followed two distinct spoors
+for more than a couple of miles without actually sighting any of the
+retiring enemy.
+
+Acting upon this information the advance guard marched into the ground
+on which the Huns had recently halted.  Examination of the refuse and
+other traces revealed the fact that the enemy had been there but a few
+hours previously, for the ashes of the extinguished fires were still
+hot.  That the march had been resumed in a leisurely manner, showing
+that as yet the hostile detachment was unaware of the close pursuit,
+was evident by the systematic way in which the fires had been put out
+and earth thrown lightly over the embers.
+
+"We'll halt just beyond this spot," decided the company major, when the
+rest of the four platoons joined the advance guard.  "Hanged if I fancy
+bivouacking on the site of a Boche camp.  What do you think of the
+fresh spoors, MacGregor?"
+
+"That's the principal line of retreat, I think," replied the Rhodesian.
+"They can't go very much farther, for it will be pitch black in twenty
+minutes."'
+
+"Just so," agreed the major.  "Set the men to work, Mr. Wilmshurst.
+Mr. Laxdale, you will please send a runner to the colonel and tell him
+that we've proposed bivouacking here till dawn."
+
+Until it was quite dark the Haussas toiled, building sangars and
+constructing light connecting trenches with abattis of sharp thorns
+sufficient to deter and hold up a rush of bare-footed Askaris, since
+there was no knowing that after all the enemy had been informed of the
+presence of the pursuing column.
+
+In silence the men ate their rations, no fires being allowed, and
+sentries to outlying piquets having been posted, the troops slept
+beside their piled arms.
+
+"What do you think of our chance of overtaking the bounders?" enquired
+Wilmshurst of MacGregor, as the former prepared to visit the sentries.
+
+"We ought to surprise them just after dawn," replied the Rhodesian.
+"I'm just off to see the major and get his permission to try and
+discover their position."
+
+"But it's pitch dark," remarked Dudley.  "You couldn't see your hand in
+front of your face.  Man, you'd be bushed for a dead cert."
+
+"I don't know so much about that," replied MacGregor confidently.  "The
+fellows up at Umfuli often used to chaff me, saying that I had eyes
+like a cat.  Believe I have.  At any rate I'll risk it, and if I'm not
+back an hour before dawn my name's not MacGregor."
+
+"Let me know if the major agrees," said Wilmshurst.  "I don't want my
+sentries to take pot shots at you when you return--and they are all
+jolly good marksmen," he added in a tone of pride, for he had good
+reason to pin his faith upon the Haussas' accuracy with a rifle.
+
+It was not long before MacGregor returned.
+
+"Fixed it up all right," he announced, "and now I'm off.  If, just
+before dawn, you hear the cry of a gnu you'll know it's this johnny
+returning, so please keep the sentries well in hand."
+
+The subaltern accompanied the Rhodesian past the alert sentries; then,
+with Wilmshurst's good wishes for the best of luck, MacGregor vanished
+into the night.  In vain the young officer strained his ears to catch
+the faint noise of the Rhodesian's footsteps or the crackle of a dry
+twig under the pressure of his boot, but not a sound did the scout give
+of his progress.
+
+"Hanged if I'd like to take on his job," soliloquised Dudley, as he
+slowly felt his way to the next pair of sentries.  "I'd have a shot at
+it if I were told off for it, of course, but this darkness seems to
+have weight--to press upon a fellow's eyes.  S'pose it'll end in having
+to send out parties to bring the fellow in."
+
+Truth to tell, Wilmshurst was not particularly keen on his brother's
+chum.  Why, he could hardly explain.  It might have had something to do
+with MacGregor's conduct when the lioness charged.  But since then the
+Rhodesian had shown considerable pluck and grit, and his voluntary
+offer to plunge into the bush on a pitch dark night was a great factor
+in his favour, in Dudley's opinion.
+
+The subaltern's soliloquy was cut short by the dull glint of steel
+within a few inches of his chest--even in the darkness all bayonets
+seem to possess self-contained luminosity--and a voice hissed, "Who
+come?"
+
+Reassuring the sentries--there were two at each post--Wilmshurst
+received the report that everything was all correct.
+
+"Macgreg, him go," declared one of the Haussas, Macgreg being the name
+by which the Rhodesian was known to the black troops.
+
+Wilmshurst was astonished.  He had heard nothing of the scout's
+movements, yet the sentry, fifty yards away, had declared quite blandly
+that MacGregor had passed the outlying post.
+
+"How do you know that, Brass Pot?" asked the subaltern.
+
+The Haussa chuckled audibly, and holding his rifle obliquely with the
+bayonet thrust into the ground, placed his ear to the butt.
+
+"Macgreg him go and go," he answered, meaning that the Rhodesian was
+still on the move.
+
+In vain Wilmshurst tested the sound-conducting properties of the rifle.
+Normally of good hearing he failed to detect what to Private Brass Pot
+was an accepted and irrefutable fact.
+
+"Very good," said the subaltern, without admitting his failure.  "If
+you hear foot of Macgreg come this way before sergeant come for reliefs
+then you send and tell me.  Savvy?"
+
+"Berry good, sah," replied the Haussa.
+
+Having twice visited the sentries Wilmshurst returned to the bivouac to
+snatch a few hours' sleep.  It seemed as if he had only just dozed off
+when he was awakened by Sergeant Beta Moshi, who informed him that the
+men were already standing to and that the brief tropical dawn was
+stealing across the sky.
+
+"Has Macgreg returned, Bela Moshi?" asked Wilmshurst, stretching his
+cramped limbs, for he had not removed his boots during the last
+forty-eight hours, and with the exception of a brief interval had been
+on his feet practically the whole of that time.
+
+"MacGregor?" exclaimed Laxdale, who happened to overhear his
+brother-officer's question.  "Yes--rather.  It seems that he struck our
+main camp about an hour or so ago.  The colonel's sent to say that we
+are to attempt an enveloping movement.  The Boches are in force on a
+kopje about five miles on our right front--about eight hundred of 'em
+according to MacGregor's report."
+
+"That's good," declared Wilmshurst.  All the same he felt rather
+sceptical.  The spoor of the right-hand column of the retiring Huns
+hardly bore out the Rhodesian's statement, but evidently the scout knew
+his business.
+
+"Is MacGregor accompanying us?" he asked, as the three subalterns
+prepared to rejoin their respective platoons.
+
+"Fancy not," replied Danvers.  "He's pretty well done up, I imagine.
+The scrub's a bit thick out there, and a fellow can't crawl far without
+picking up a few thorns.  Plucky blighter, what?"
+
+"A" Company was to work round to the right of the hostile position, "B"
+operating to the left, both having two hours' start of the remainder of
+the battalion, which was to deliver a frontal attack simultaneously
+with the flanking movement.
+
+With the night-mists still hanging in dense patches over the scrub
+tactics were resumed.  Wilmshurst had good reason to be delighted with
+his men as the scouts and advance guards slipped off to their detailed
+positions.  At a hundred yards they were lost to sight and sound,
+threading their way with the utmost caution through the long grass like
+experienced hunters stalking their prey, while the various units kept
+well in touch with each other by means of reliable runners.  Other
+methods of communication were out of the question.  Flag-waving and
+heliograph would have "given the show away" with the utmost certainty.
+
+All feelings of physical tiredness vanishing under the magic spell of
+impending action, Wilmshurst led his extended platoon toward their
+allotted positions.  It was slow work.  The ground was difficult; every
+spot likely to afford concealment to a hostile sniper had to be
+carefully examined.  The absence of bird life was ominous.  It meant
+that either the returning Huns had disturbed the feathered denizens or
+else the advance of the Haussas had driven them over the enemy
+position, in which case the wily Hun would "smell a rat."
+
+It was noon before Wilmshurst gained his preliminary objective.  The
+tropical sun was beating down with terrific violence, the scrub
+offering scant shelter from its scorching rays.  Already the
+previously-dew-sodden ground was baked stone-hard, the radiating heat
+imparting an appearance of motion to every object within sight.
+
+Literally stewing, the subaltern threw himself flat on the ground under
+the slight shadow of a dried thorn bush, and waited, at intervals
+sweeping the bare outlines of the kopje with his prismatic glasses.
+
+Thirty long drawn-out minutes passed.  According to plan the enveloping
+movement ought to have been completed an hour ago, but not a sign was
+given that "B" Company had arrived at their position--a sun-baked donga
+at a distance of fifteen hundred yards behind the kopje.
+
+Up crept Bela Moshi, his ebony features distended in a most cheerful
+looking grin.
+
+"Hun him lib for sit down, sah!" he reported.  "Five Bosh-bosh (his
+rendering of the word Boche) an' heap Askari--say so many."
+
+He opened and closed his fingers of both hands four times, meaning that
+the hostile post consisted of five Germans and forty native troops.
+
+"They saw you?" asked the subaltern.
+
+"Dem no look," replied the sergeant.  "Too much busy make eat."
+
+"How far away?"
+
+"One tousand yards, sah," declared Bela Moshi.
+
+Writing his report on a leaf of his pocketbook Wilmshurst gave the
+paper to Tari Barl with instructions to deliver it to the company
+commander.
+
+Quickly the major's reply was received.  The hostile post was to be
+surrounded, but no action taken until the order was given for the
+concentrated rush upon the Huns holding the kopje.
+
+As rapidly as due caution allowed the enveloping of the outpost was
+completed.  From his new position, less than four hundred yards from
+the spot where the unsuspecting Huns were bivouacking, Wilmshurst could
+keep them under close observation.
+
+Three of the Germans were middle-aged men, bearded, swarthy, and
+dressed in coffee-coloured cotton uniform, sun helmets and gum boots.
+The other two were quite young men, whose attention, despite the heat,
+was mainly directed towards the Askaris.  Evidently some of the stores
+had gone adrift, for the young Huns were browbeating a number of
+natives, punctuating their forcible remarks by liberal applications of
+their schamboks, while their elders looked on in stolid but unqualified
+approval.
+
+"Dem make for one-time good shot, sah!" whispered Bela Moshi, calmly
+setting the backsight of his rifle.  "Blow Bosh-bosh him head-bone
+inside out an' him not know anyting."
+
+"Go steady, Bela Moshi," cautioned the subaltern.  "Pass the word for
+the men to fire one volley over their heads--but not before I give
+orders--and then rush them with the bayonet.  We want them alive,
+remember."
+
+A whistle rang out faintly away on the left.  The call was repeated
+much nearer, while distinct blasts rose through the heated air.  It was
+the signal for the advance.
+
+Almost as soon as Wilmshurst put his whistle to his lips a crisp volley
+from the rifles of his platoon rent the welkin, then with fierce shouts
+the khaki-clad, barefooted Waffs leapt to their feet, their bayonets
+glittering in the sun.
+
+At first, too utterly astonished to realise that they were hopelessly
+trapped and outnumbered, the Huns stood stock still, gazing stupidly at
+the converging ring of steel.  The Askaris for the most part attempted
+to bolt, but finding their retreat cut off, grovelled in the dust.
+
+"Hands up!" shouted Wilmshurst.
+
+The three bearded Huns obeyed promptly and meekly.  Of the others one
+held up his arms with sullen reluctance, his flabby face distorted with
+rage.  The fifth, dropping on one knee, picked up a rifle and levelled
+it at the on-rushing British officer.
+
+"The fellow's showing pluck, by Jove!" was the thought that flashed
+through Dudley's mind.  Like all brave men he admired courage even in a
+foe.  The fact that running over rough ground and firing a revolver at
+fifty yards did not give him much chance against a steadily held rifle
+entered into his calculations.
+
+Before the Hun could press trigger a score of rifles spoke.  The Waffs,
+on seeing their young officer's danger, took no chances, and the
+German, his head and chest riddled with bullets, toppled over stone
+dead upon the ground.  As he fell his fingers closed convulsively
+against the trigger of his rifle and the bullet intended for Wilmshurst
+sung past the subaltern's left ear.
+
+A loud yell from the other young Hun proclaimed the fact that he, too,
+was hit.  A bullet fired at the resisting German had been deflected,
+passing through the fleshy part of his comrade's left arm.  It was hard
+luck on a surrendered prisoner, but on these occasions luck, both good
+and bad, crops up at every available opportunity.
+
+"Sorry, Fritz," exclaimed Wilmshurst apologetically.  "Accident, you
+know."
+
+There was no time for explanation.  Directing a Haussa to attend to the
+Hun's injury and ordering others to round up and disarm the prisoners
+Wilmshurst hurried his men to the storming of the kopje.
+
+On all sides the Waffs were climbing the slopes, yelling and cheering
+vociferously, but not an answering shout came from the rocky summit.
+It required enormous restraint on the part of the foe to withhold their
+fire, while already the Haussas had passed the zone where a volley at
+comparatively short range would have played havoc with them.
+
+The silence on the part of the enemy seemed incomprehensible unless,
+not having sufficient numbers to hold the edges of the flat-topped hill
+they had concentrated at one spot, where with machine-guns they could
+rake the skyline as the Waffs breasted the top.
+
+Over the position the exultant troops poured, the one fly in the
+ointment being the fact that their rush had met with no resistance.  In
+extended order they re-formed and dashed across the plateau--a rapidly
+contracting line of khaki tipped with steel.
+
+Almost in the centre of the top of the kopje was an irregular mound of
+piled rocks and earth.  Towards this the Waffs charged, their officers
+momentarily expecting the rattle of musketry and the tic-tac of
+machine-guns.
+
+Without resistance the Waffs bore on, overran the supposed earthworks
+and found--nothing.
+
+There were not even traces of Hun occupation.  The enemy had got clear
+away with the exception of the small post rushed by Wilmshurst's
+platoon.  By an evident error of judgment on the part of MacGregor--a
+non-existent position had been the object of the column's attention,
+and although the operations were not entirely futile officers and men
+realised that they had experienced a great disappointment.
+
+Descending the kopje the Waffs fell in, having secured their prisoners
+under a strong escort.  The order to march was about to be given when
+the distant rattle of musketry was distinctly heard.
+
+The colonel looked at the senior major enquiringly.
+
+"A raiding crush, sir," replied the latter to the unspoken question.
+"While we've been on a wild goose chase Fritz is raiding our camp."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+THE WARNING SHOT
+
+Nobly the sorely-tried Waffs rose to the occasion.  Notwithstanding
+their arduous advance and its meagre results they eagerly hastened to
+meet the new danger, knowing that with the destruction of their baggage
+and transport and their lines of communication cut they would be in a
+serious position in the almost waterless scrub.
+
+They required little urging, the officers' words of encouragement being
+quite perfunctory although well-intentioned.  In open order with
+flankers thrown out the Waffs hurried through the bush, the sound of
+continuous rifle-fire growing louder and louder.
+
+"Button's holding out all right," declared the company-major to
+Wilmshurst, referring to the lieutenant left in charge of the camp.
+"He has MacGregor and young Vipont to back him up and twenty-five
+Haussas.  Hullo, what's that?"
+
+"German machine-guns, sir," replied Wilmshurst promptly.
+
+"Yes, worse luck," resumed the major.  "We've been running after the
+shadow and the substance butts in during our absence."
+
+An orderly came dashing up with a written message.  The major's face
+fell as he read it.
+
+"We're out of it again, Wilmshurst," he remarked, after the runner had
+been sent back with a confirmatory report.
+
+"How's that, sir?" asked the subaltern.
+
+"Orders from the colonel for 'A' Company to hold the position shown on
+the attached map, and to cut off the retreat of the enemy.  Here we
+are: see this kloof?  Three platoons are to lie in ambush at that spot,
+another--yours, Mr. Wilmshurst--will take up a position two miles to
+the north-west, in case any stragglers attempt to break through the
+smaller defile shown on the map.  It looks nothing more than a native
+path.  We'll find that out later on."
+
+At the word of command "A" Company halted until the rest of the
+battalion was almost out of sight.  Then the detachment, moving to the
+right in column of fours, marched at a rapid pace along a comparatively
+clear path through the scrub.
+
+When the three platoons had taken up their position at the indicated
+spot Wilmshurst's platoon had still a distance of two miles to
+cover--and that two miles was the roughest part of the whole day's
+march.  It was a disused track possibly dating back to the old days
+when the Arab slave-raiders traversed the greater part of Central
+Africa in search of "black ivory," and was now greatly overgrown by
+cacti and other fibrous plants.  Here and there palm trees had fallen
+completely across the path, while in no part was it more than a yard in
+breadth, being hedged in on both sides by dense tropical vegetation.
+And yet the track was distinctly marked upon the German-compiled maps
+with which the British troops were working.
+
+It was hardly a route that any European under ordinary circumstances
+would tackle under the glaring heat of the afternoon's sun.
+Mosquitoes--harbingers of malaria--and fire-flies buzzed in swarms,
+snakes and lizards, their hitherto undisturbed solitude rudely shaken
+by the stealthy patter of three score pairs of bare feet, wriggled
+across the swampy ground, while overhead thousands of frightened birds
+flew in large circles, chattering the while in a way that would alarm
+every Boche within a radius of three miles.
+
+A mile and a half of this sort of marching--the Haussas were in single
+file--and the platoon emerged into a wider track running obliquely
+across the path they had taken.  Halting his men Wilmshurst, assisted
+by Sergeant Bela Moshi, examined the ground.  There were evidences that
+a number of European and native troops had passed, going in the
+opposite direction to the Waffs' bivouac, while what was somewhat
+remarkable there were more recent tracks of a horse's hoofs.
+
+"Him am gov'ment horse, sah," declared the sergeant.  "Him lib for go
+plenty fast no time," meaning that the animal was a British Army mount
+(this from the peculiar shape of the horse-shoe prints) and had passed
+by quite recently.
+
+"Probably Sutton dispatched a mounted orderly to summon help," thought
+Wilmshurst.  "In that case the fellow's taken the wrong track.  He'll
+be back shortly.  Hope it will be before Fritz ambles along here--if
+it's our luck that the Huns do retire this way."
+
+Two hundred yards further on the scrub became quite scanty in a wide
+belt that terminated in a low range of hills.  The slopes of the rising
+ground were fairly steep except at a gap in the centre, where a deep
+ravine had been utilized by the makers of the road.  It was an ideal
+spot for an ambuscade.  Sheltering behind the cacti that abundantly
+covered the hill the Haussas could extend on a fairly broad front, and
+concentrate a heavy fire upon any enemy retiring along the path.  The
+maxim on its tripod mounting was set up to enable it to sweep the
+expected column with an oblique fire, its panther-skin encased
+water-jacket being camouflaged by foliage carefully placed so as not to
+obstruct the sights.
+
+Hardly were these preparations completed when, with a terrific roar and
+a tremendous cloud of dust, an explosive missile burst within two
+hundred yards of the platoon's position.
+
+"Dash it all!" ejaculated Wilmshurst.  "That's a thundering big shell.
+Keep down, men."
+
+The Haussas in natural and childlike curiosity were craning their necks
+to see the unexpected sight.  Just then a loud buzzing sound came from
+immediately overhead.  At the risk of being blinded by the terrific
+glare the subaltern glanced aloft to see a large seaplane that, having
+completed a long volplane, had restarted its engine.  By the
+conspicuous marks on the wings and fuselage Wilmshurst made the
+disconcerting discovery that the aircraft was a British machine, and
+that it was diligently engaged in attempting to bomb the Waffs out of
+existence under the mistaken idea that they were an enemy patrol.
+
+"That's done it!" muttered Wilmshurst.  "The silly joker has put the
+kybosh on our chances of surprising the Boches.  Lucky if we escape
+being hit with some of the infernal eggs!"
+
+With difficulty restraining the Haussas from opening fire, for they
+would not be convinced that the "great buzz-bird" could possibly make a
+mistake, and that it must be a Boche machine, Dudley awaited
+developments, watching with decided apprehension the seaplane circling
+to take up a favourable position for another bomb-dropping effort.
+
+The second missile burst in a donga a hundred yards to the rear of the
+Haussas' line, while a few seconds later a third exploded at half that
+distance again on the Waffs' flank.
+
+Wilmshurst was now sarcastically interested.
+
+"If you can't do better than that, old son," he chuckled, "you'd better
+hook it.  My word, if ever I meet you on terra firma, I won't forget to
+chip you."
+
+The ineffectual strafing continued for nearly a quarter of an hour.  At
+the end of that time the airmen, either discovering their mistake or
+else having been called up by wireless to attack more numerous forces,
+desisted from their present operations.  Banking steeply the seaplane
+bore away rapidly in a south-easterly direction, and was soon a mere
+speck in the azure sky.
+
+Followed a long period of inaction on the part of the Haussas.  Scarce
+daring to move lest a keen-eyed Askari should detect their presence,
+the Waffs hugged the sun-baked earth until the lengthening shadows
+warned them of the approach of night.
+
+The distant firing had passed from rapid volleys through desultory
+exchange of shots to a complete cessation.  The rest of "A" Company
+were not engaged, so it appeared to the still hopeful Haussas that
+their foes had effected a retreat in a different direction from that
+expected.  With the fall of night a large hostile detachment might
+easily slip through the scantily-held lines, and that accounted for the
+uneasy glances that the Waffs gave at the declining orb of day.
+
+"Hist, sah!" exclaimed Beta Moshi.  "Dey come."
+
+With every sense keenly on the alert Wilmshurst strove to detect the
+approach of the foe.  Already the men had slipped clips of cartridges
+into the magazines of their rifles, and, the exact range being known,
+had set sights to eight hundred yards, at which distance the retiring
+Huns would be on slightly-sloping ground practically destitute of cover.
+
+A cloud of dust rising sullenly in the still air marked the approach of
+the column.  The Huns were moving rapidly, although there were no
+sounds to indicate that they were fighting a rear-guard action, while
+there were no signs of any advance guard.
+
+"We've got them cold," exclaimed Wilmshurst, gleefully, then, "No. 1
+Section, volley firing, ready."
+
+Suddenly a shot rang out away on the left front of the concealed
+Haussas.
+
+"Who the deuce fired that?" thought the subaltern angrily, vowing to
+make it hot for the luckless black who could not keep control over his
+itching trigger finger.
+
+The mischief was done.  At the warning shot the retiring enemy stopped
+short almost in the jaws of the trap that awaited them; then at a hot
+pace they disappeared into the bush to be swallowed up in the rapidly
+deepening night.
+
+"Find out who fired that shot, sergeant," ordered Wilmshurst.
+
+Bela Moshi's efforts were unavailing.  Even when the platoon was
+paraded and every man's rifle examined the culprit was not discovered.
+
+"Jolly rummy," mused the subaltern.  "It's a dead cert that none of my
+men fired.  Some one did.  Why and for what reason?"
+
+Fired with anger at the futile ending to their tedious efforts the
+Haussas sent a deputation to the young officer offering to search the
+bush in the direction from which the shot came, for the men of the
+extreme left flank were emphatic in their belief that they heard the
+sounds of booted feet after the report.
+
+"Off you go, then," replied Wilmshurst.  "Hurry back if you hear the
+'Fall in.'"
+
+The two men selected--Tari Barl and No Go--lost no time in starting
+upon their hazardous quest.  Armed only with their bayonets the Haussas
+vanished into the darkness.
+
+Another period of tension ensued.  The tropical heat of the day gave
+place to intense cold as the parched earth rapidly radiated its heat.
+Presently the stars began to glimmer in the firmament, their brightness
+increasing to their full splendour of an African night.
+
+Still no message came for the platoon to fall back upon the rest of "A"
+Company.  Vaguely Wilmshurst began to wonder whether the outlying Waffs
+had been overlooked.  Sixty hours of almost continuous and strenuous
+work were beginning to tell.  Most of the Haussas, utterly worn out,
+were sleeping in easy yet undignified postures upon the ground, the
+only men keeping awake being Bela Moshi and the other section commander
+and sentries posted before Wilmshurst gave the word to stand easy.
+
+Even the subaltern found his head drooping.  Half a dozen times he
+pulled himself together, only to realise that the overpowering desire
+for sleep had him firmly in its grip.
+
+Suddenly the stillness was broken by the cautious challenge of one of
+the sentries.  Tari Barl and his companion were returning.
+
+"Well?" exclaimed Wilmshurst interrogatively, as the stalwart blacks
+stood stiffly to attention.
+
+"Man him gone," declared Tari Barl, with the important air of a person
+making a momentous statement.
+
+"Yes, I know that, Tarry Barrel," replied the subaltern impatiently.
+"Is that all?"
+
+"Me find dis in bush, sah," continued the imperturbable Haussa, holding
+up a small, glittering object for his officer's inspection.
+
+It was a recently-fired rimmed cartridge-case.  Holding his electric
+torch to the base of the case he gave vent to an exclamation of
+perplexed surprise.
+
+For on it were cut the British Government broad arrow and the Roman
+numeral V., which showed that the cartridge was similar to those issued
+to the Waffs on leaving camp at Kilwa.
+
+"Treachery!" muttered Wilmshurst.  "I wonder----"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+A TRUE MAN OR A TRAITOR?
+
+It was in the early hours of the morning when "A" Company marched into
+bivouac.  The men dismissed, Wilmshurst wrote out his report, handed it
+in and promptly fell sound asleep.
+
+The colonel, wisely deciding that little could be done with men worn
+out with sleeplessness and fatigue, issued orders that the pursuit
+would be abandoned until the Haussas had recovered their usual form.
+Meanwhile other columns were on the track of the raiders, who, but for
+the vigilance and dogged determination of Lieutenant Sutton, would have
+"wiped out" the Waffs' bivouac during the latter's wild-goose chase.
+
+For five hours the young officer, assisted by Second-lieutenant Vipont
+and a handful of Haussas, held the Huns at bay.  With rifle, bayonet
+and bomb the plucky sons of the Empire manned the frail defences, until
+the enemy, unable to achieve their objective, retired before the
+returning battalion could bring them to action.
+
+"Hullo, Wilmshurst!" exclaimed Laxdale, as the three subalterns of "A"
+company met just before a belated breakfast.  "What happened to you?"
+
+"A wash-out," replied Dudley.  "Held on till five this morning, and
+never a chance of a shot; or rather, when it came we were dished."
+
+"Heard the news?" asked Danvers.  "No?  We had it this morning.  The
+Huns have rushed a Portuguese position on the Rovuma.  The Portuguese
+skedaddled, leaving the whole battery of quick-firers intact.  I
+suppose it'll mean our chasing Fritz southward right through Portuguese
+East.  With luck we'll corner them on the Zambesi."
+
+"Guess you're wrong, Danvers," interrupted Laxdale.  "I know how the
+business is going to end; street fighting in Cape Town.  Fritz won't
+stand, so it's an everlasting chase until he's got the sea at his back."
+
+"Any one seen MacGregor this morning?" enquired Wilmshurst.
+
+"MacGregor?  Didn't you find him?" asked Vipont, who had joined the
+group of tired-eyed subalterns.  "After the column left camp--about an
+hour and a half, I should say--he asked Sutton to let him try and
+overtake the battalion.  Said he didn't want to swing the lead with a
+mere scratch on his shin-bone.  So he mounted and rode off.  That's the
+last I saw of him."
+
+"How long before the Huns attacked?" asked Danvers.
+
+"Three hours," replied Vipont.  "You don't suggest that a skilled scout
+blundered right on top of them?"
+
+"Not at all," his questioner hastened to assert.  "For one thing after
+he followed us he would be on a diverging route to that taken by Fritz
+& Co.  What do you say, Wilmshurst?"
+
+Dudley shook his head.  He had no particular cause either to like or
+dislike the man, but he hesitated to give definite utterance to his
+suspicions.  It was decidedly un-British to condemn a man before being
+sure of actual facts and to sow the seeds of distrust against an
+individual who was not present to defend himself.  But somehow the
+chain of events--the horse's footprints on the kloof road, the warning
+shot when the hitherto unsuspecting Huns were approaching the ambush,
+the mark V. cartridge case--all pointed to treachery on the part of
+some one, while MacGregor's disappearance coincided with the other
+points that had occurred to the subaltern.
+
+"He may be bushed," he replied.  "It's just likely that he'll turn up
+again soon.  Has his absence been reported?  I'll mention it, if you
+like.  I have to see the adjutant in a few minutes."
+
+Wilmshurst found the adjutant in his "office," which consisted of three
+walls of piled ammunition boxes, with a double covering of canvas.  The
+furniture was composed of a desk (an upturned packing-case) and a
+couple of chairs (smaller dittos) the former being littered with
+official forms and papers, for even in the wilds of Africa the British
+Army cannot dispense with red-tape formalities.
+
+"Mornin', Mr. Wilmshurst," was the adjutant's greeting as he returned
+the subaltern's salute.  "Want to see you with reference to that report
+of yours, don't you know.  Take a pew.  You'll find that case pretty
+comfortable, and come in out of the sun.  Look here: from your report I
+understand that a warning shot was fired, but not by any of ours.  Is
+that so?"
+
+Wilmshurst paused.  The adjutant was quick to notice his hesitation.
+
+"Come, come!" he continued sharply.  "Do you suspect any one?  If so,
+out with it.  We can't stand on sentiment in matters of this
+description, don't you know."
+
+"Are you aware, sir, that MacGregor left camp shortly after we left
+camp and has not returned?"
+
+"Hasn't he, by Jove!" exclaimed the adjutant.  "Well, what about it?
+Has that anything to do with the case in point?"
+
+"I hope not, sir," answered the subaltern, "but--but----"
+
+"Proceed," urged his questioner calmly.
+
+Wilmshurst, seeing no other course, boldly took his plunge, stating his
+views upon the connection between the scout's disappearance and the
+timely warning received by the retiring enemy, producing as evidence
+the rimmed cartridge case, which by reason of its shape and calibre
+could not be fired from a Mauser rifle.
+
+"Dash it all!" exclaimed the adjutant explosively.  "What sort of
+reptile have we been harbouring?  I'm afraid that what steps we take
+concerning him will be locking the stable door after the horse has
+gone."
+
+"We are working simply in conjecture, sir," observed the subaltern.
+"He may be all right, after all."
+
+"Conjecture, confound it!" shouted the other.  "What d'you call this?"
+holding up the cartridge case.  "If it isn't circumstantial evidence,
+what is?"
+
+At that moment an orderly put in an appearance.  "Macgreg him horse am
+come back, sah," he reported, saluting.
+
+The adjutant, picking up a sheaf of papers and putting on his
+sun-helmet, hurried to the lines where the horses were picketed,
+Wilmshurst following and the orderly bringing up the rear.
+
+Already news of MacGregor's disappearance had spread, although there
+was no thought of treachery in the minds of the other officers.  They
+had come to the conclusion that the Rhodesian in an access of zeal had
+blundered right into the enemy column.
+
+The appearance of the horse bore out this surmise.  The animal was
+lathered with foam, its eyes bloodshot and its limbs trembling.  Across
+the hind quarters was the sear of a bullet that had cut away the hair
+and left a slight wound in the hide.  One stirrup was missing, cut
+through by means of a sharp implement, while the saddle and reins were
+dappled with blood-stains.
+
+"Bless my soul, Manners!" exclaimed the colonel turning to the
+adjutant.  "What does this mean?"
+
+"Dunno, sir, I'm sure," answered the dum-founded officer.
+
+"We can't let the affair drop," decided the C.O.  "It's not fair on
+MacGregor to sit still.  Tell off a section and follow the horse's
+tracks.  Perhaps the man has been wounded--it looks very much like
+it--and may be lying out in the bush."
+
+Promptly Bela Moshi and about a dozen men were dispatched to follow up
+the spoor.  Good trackers all, they ought to experience but little
+difficulty, notwithstanding the fact that hundreds of men had been
+trampling the ground, for the Haussas vie with the Australian
+aborigines and the Red Indian in the act of tracing a man or an animal
+for miles with uncanny skill and persistence.
+
+Hardly had the Haussas departed on their errand when a couple of
+British naval officers literally staggered into the bivouac.  At first
+they were too utterly done up to speak.  They were parched with thirst,
+their drill uniforms torn in their long trek through the scrub, and
+their boots were cut almost to pieces.  One of them was limping badly
+as the result of a sprained ankle.
+
+Under the care of Doctor Barclay the stragglers soon recovered
+sufficiently to give a coherent account of their misadventures.  They
+were the observer and pilot of one of the seaplanes attached to the
+Rovuma column, their base being close to a large sheet of water formed
+by the inundation of the river.  Out reconnoitring they had discovered
+a party of Huns and had bombed them very effectually.  That was their
+version, although Wilmshurst had good reason to believe that they were
+quite under a misapprehension on that score.  On the return flight the
+engine developed ignition troubles, and there was no help for it but to
+plane down.  The airmen were lucky in being able to find a fairly open
+stretch of ground, but the unexpected happened.  The floats of the
+seaplane skidded over the hard ground and caught against some
+obstruction, with the result that the machine was badly damaged, the
+pilot and observer being thrown violently.
+
+Forty miles from their base the airmen realised that it was almost out
+of the question to make their way on foot through the scrub, especially
+as there were several small rivers to be negotiated.  So they decided
+to find the bivouac of the Waffs which they had spotted on their
+outward flight.  According to their estimate the distance was about
+eight miles, but in reality it was almost twice that distance.
+
+Owing to the intense heat they were compelled to discard their
+overalls.  Their foot gear was totally inadequate against the thorns
+and stony ground.  Without water and with only a bar of chocolate
+between them they experienced terrible hardships before they sighted
+their temporary refuge.
+
+Their chief anxiety was now the question whether the seaplane could be
+recovered.  On this score their minds were set at rest, when the
+colonel promised to send out a fatigue party to dismantle the machine
+and transport it to the banks of the Runkoma, a small stream
+sufficiently wide to allow the seaplane to taxi provided the floats
+were still intact.
+
+"You might take that job on, Mr. Wilmshurst," remarked his company
+commander.  "Your platoon will be just about sufficient to provide the
+necessary labour, and also a covering party, although I don't
+contemplate any trouble from the Huns.  We've just heard that Fritz has
+had a nasty smack at Motungba, which more than counterbalances his
+recent success against the Portuguese on the Rovuma."
+
+The action to which the major referred was a brilliant little affair on
+the part of the main column operating in the Rovuma valley.  The Huns
+were found to be in a strong natural position, the defence of which was
+further increased by well-constructed trenches and entanglements.
+
+Notwithstanding the difficulties of a frontal attack, a Punjabi
+regiment stormed the defences, the Indians making terrific havoc with
+bombs.  The Askaris broke and fled, the Germans alone putting up a
+fight until they were either killed or captured.  The native levies in
+their flight were overtaken and cut up by a squadron of colonial horse,
+and with slight loss the Imperial forces scored a dashing little
+victory, capturing four field guns and one naval gun removed from the
+cruiser _Konigsberg_, beside a vast quantity of arms and ammunition.
+
+The result of this engagement was a junction with the gallant Belgian
+forces, the Huns being split up into two groups, of which the principal
+force was on the Portuguese border, while the other, subdivided into
+mobile detachments, was doubling back towards the Rufigi river.
+
+"These fellows will give trouble," declared the major.  "They won't
+stand.  They are in a mortal funk of enveloping movements; but by the
+time we've rounded 'em up we'll be jolly sick of the show, you mark my
+words."
+
+The return of Bela Moshi and his section diverted Wilmshurst's
+attention into another channel.  The Haussa sergeant had succeeded in
+following the spoor of MacGregor's horse for three and a half miles
+along the path taken by the Waffs of their practically barren
+operations against the kopje when the Huns had been reported.  Here the
+trail ended in a medley of hoof-prints, while hard by a rock were
+traces of the splaying of half a dozen bullets.  In the sun-baked grass
+in front of the rock were found ten used cartridge cases and a
+stirrup-iron, but a prolonged search faded to reveal any traces of the
+missing Rhodesian's departure from the spot where he had apparently
+been brought to bay.  There were hundreds of footprints all around;
+those of Askaris and Germans, for none of the imprints of booted feet
+bore any resemblance to those of Robert MacGregor.
+
+At the first opportunity the adjutant called Wilmshurst aside.
+
+"You didn't mention your suspicions to any one else?" he enquired.
+
+"No, sir," replied Dudley.
+
+"It's just as well for the present," continued Captain Manners.  "For
+MacGregor's sake I hope that you have done him an injustice, but I am
+quite convinced that you acted judiciously in communicating your
+suspicions to me.  However, there's still one point that wants clearing
+up.  The patrol did not find MacGregor's body.  Nor was there any spoor
+to show which way he went if he did succeed in breaking through the
+enemy.  The third surmise is that he might have been taken prisoner.
+If so, is it likely that the Huns provided him with a horse?  I think
+not.  Knowing Fritz as we do, the sort of thing that they would do
+would be to lash his wrists, and drag him at the end of a line--but
+Bela Moshi was emphatic that none of the boot-prints corresponded to
+those of the missing man.  Until the mystery is cleared up, we are at a
+loss to understand whether MacGregor is a true man or a traitor."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+ULRICH VON GOBENDORFF
+
+Hauptmann Max von Argerlich, senior surviving officer of the 99th
+Regiment of Askaris, was in a furious temper with himself and every one
+with whom he came in contact.  It might have been the unusual exertion
+of a forced march in the heat of the sun, or an insufficiency of food
+that had upset him.  The hard-worked Askaris had good cause to dread
+his passionate outbursts, for on these occasions lashes were ordered at
+the faintest pretext, for efficiency, according to the hauptmann's
+ideas, could only be maintained by an active display of physical force.
+
+Von Argerlich's depleted and harassed force lay entrenched at M'ganga,
+after having withdrawn from another fortified position half an hour too
+late according to the hauptmann's idea.  All but surrounded, the
+Askaris just managed to escape being captured to a man, and now,
+temporarily safe from pursuit, the regiment had arrived at a prepared
+position to await another column known to be retiring in a
+north-westerly direction.
+
+The hauptmann was a middle-aged officer, a Prussian who through some
+indiscretion that had given offence to his Imperial master had been
+practically banished by being sent to German East Africa.  That was two
+years before the war.  Upon the outbreak of hostilities he hoped by
+melodramatic means to find himself restored to favour, but to his
+chagrin he saw that younger officers gained promotion in the German
+Colonial Forces while he remained at this present rank of hauptmann.
+
+With a bottle of spirits by his side von Argerlich sprawled upon a camp
+bed, while in the absence of  mosquito curtain two lean Askaris,
+terrified by the Hun's drunken outburst, were diligently fanning him
+with broad leaves of a palm, knowing that if their efforts relaxed or
+developed into greater zeal than the hauptmann desired, the schambok
+awaited them.
+
+Von Argerlich had good cause to remember the scrap before the retreat.
+A bullet fired from behind had nicked his ear, and he knew that it was
+one of his Askaris who had fired.  As a warning he had ordered half a
+dozen of the luckless natives to be executed, but even then he was far
+from certain that the culprit was included in the number.  There were
+strong signs of mutinous insubordination in the ranks of the 99th
+Askari Regiment, and only the fact that the expected column was on its
+way to join the forces under von Argerlich's command kept the black
+troops in any semblance of order.
+
+The hauptmann was both sorry and glad on that account; sorry because he
+would automatically drop into a subordinate position when other German
+officers superior in rank came in with the column; glad, since there
+would be sufficient Europeans to overawe the iron-disciplined yet
+mutinous native troops.
+
+The appearance of the German sergeant-major interrupted the hauptmann's
+reveries.  Clicking his heels and stiffly saluting the veteran awaited
+his officer's permission to speak.
+
+"Well, dolt?" enquired von Argerlich thickly.
+
+"A scout has just reported that the Gwelba column has been sighted,
+Herr Hauptmann," announced the warrant officer.  "The advance guard
+ought to be here within half an hour."
+
+"It is well," replied the hauptmann, rising unsteadily.  "Tell
+Lieutenant Muller to get the men under arms.  Where's my sword?  Hans,
+you black schweinhund, bring me my boots, and take care that there are
+no centipedes in them, or----"
+
+Still grumbling the hauptmann buckled on his sword, donned his
+sun-helmet and boots and went out into the open space between the
+trench and the lines of low-built huts where the remnants of the 99th
+regiment--250 men out of a full strength of 1,200--were falling in.
+
+Worn and weary the advance guard of the column limped into the camp,
+followed at regular intervals by the main body.  With the latter was
+Oberst von Lindenfelt, the senior officer of the column, and another
+individual dressed in nondescript garments whose face seemed familiar
+to von Argerlich.
+
+"Greetings, Max!" exclaimed von Lindenfelt.  "Let us hope you have
+plenty of food.  We are almost starving."
+
+"Not much in that line, Herr Oberst," replied von Argerlich.  "How have
+you fared?"
+
+"Donnerwetter!" said the oberst vehemently.  "Things have gone badly.
+It is indeed fortunate that we managed to find our way in.  Had it not
+been for von Gobendorff here--you have met von Gobendorff before, I
+understand?"
+
+"Der teufel!" ejaculated the hauptmann, grasping the hand of the
+motley-garbed man, "of course I have.  Ulrich, ten thousand pardons,
+but in two years a man is apt to alter, especially in these strenuous
+times.  Has anything happened that you have been compelled to drop your
+Scottish name?  Let me think.  Ach!  I have it.  MacGregor, was it not?"
+
+Ulrich von Gobendorff shook his head.  "Nothing compelled me, Max," he
+replied.  "The time was ripe--therefore Robert MacGregor is no more.
+The name and character served their purpose," he continued, assuming a
+boastful tone.  "It was I who warned von Lindenfelt's column when it
+stood a good chance of being cut off at Gwelba kopje.  Again it is to
+my credit that a detachment of our forces was not ambushed at Zwarte
+kloof.  I covered my tracks very effectively, did I not, Herr Oberst?
+Himmel.  I have news for you, Max.  The brother of your personal enemy,
+Rupert Wilmshurst, is with the English forces operating against us.
+Several times I have spoken to him."
+
+"Has he any suspicion?" asked the hauptmann anxiously.
+
+"None at all," replied von Gobendorff.  "It was easy to tell him a
+plausible tale.  And how fares the interfering Englishman, Rupert
+Wilmshurst?"
+
+"We still have him in close confinement up in the Karewenda Geberge,"
+replied the hauptmann carelessly.
+
+"A personal matter?" enquired Oberst von Lindenfelt.
+
+"The accursed Englishman struck me a blow because I thought fit to
+chastise a thieving native woman," replied von Argerlich.  "That was
+when the fellow was still prowling round to find the ammunition which
+we buried in readiness for the present time.  Our good friend Ulrich
+trapped him."
+
+"Why didn't you shoot the Englishman as soon as I had departed for
+South-West Africa?" enquired Ulrich von Gobendorff.  "It would have
+been a simple solution to the difficulty, for dead men tell no tales."
+
+"I would have done so," replied the hauptmann, "but for this reason.
+There were hundreds of natives who saw him taken away under arrest.  If
+things go wrong with us they will most certainly inform the English.
+Also I do not wish to be a subject for reprisals, as I hear our foes
+are adopting that attitude.  If we are to be on the losing side it pays
+us to walk circumspectly.  By the bye, have you heard anything lately
+of your brother, Ernst?"
+
+"Not for many months," replied Ulrich von Gobendorff.  "The last time I
+received indirect tidings that he was doing good work in England.  It
+will take a very smart man to catch Ernst.  He is one of the most wily
+Secret Service Agents in the employ of the German Imperial Government."
+
+Oberst von Lindenfelt having dismissed the troops the three Germans
+adjourned to the hauptmann's quarters, where over the remains of the
+bottle of spirits conversation was resumed.
+
+"Tell me how you gave the Englishman the slip, Ulrich," asked von
+Argerlich.
+
+"It was quite a simple matter," replied the spy.  "I informed the camp
+commander--he was a simple sort of leutnant--that I was going to
+overtake the column, the column, by the bye, having been sent by me on
+a fool's errand to capture an imaginary laager on Gwelba kopje.
+According to previous arrangements I fell in with Hauptmann Schmidt's
+company, and he obligingly set a squad of his Askaris to work to stage
+the last stand of Scout MacGregor.  We trampled the grass, left a few
+cartridge cases lying about and sent my borrowed horse away with a
+bullet-wound in his flank to hurry him up, and to give additional
+colour to the effect.  I should not be surprised to see the name of
+Robert MacGregor posthumously honoured with the British Military Medal
+or something of that sort."
+
+The three Huns laughed uproariously.  Under the temporarily
+exhilarating effect of the rank spirit they were beginning to forget
+their physical exhaustion.
+
+"To be on the safe side," continued von Gobendorff, "it will be
+necessary for me to get as far away from the Nth-West African Regiment
+as I can.  I presume that you have no objection to my leaving you, Herr
+Oberst?"
+
+Von Lindenfelt grunted assent.
+
+"Can you get clear of the colony?" he asked.  "Every frontier is
+guarded, while since the _Jaguar_ succeeded in running her cargo of
+quick-firers ashore even the coast is rigidly patrolled by those
+accursed English cruisers."
+
+"Give me a dozen native carriers, rifles and ammunition, and I'll wager
+that before another fortnight I'll be in Rhodesia," declared von
+Gobendorff.  "Once there the rest will be easy; train to Cape Town,
+mail-boat to Plymouth, our splendid unterseebooten permitting; then,
+having applied to a certain compatriot in London for a forged passport,
+I'll cross to Flushing and be in German territory three months from
+now."
+
+"If you do, please don't forget to inform the authorities at Berlin
+that I am still doing good work for the Fatherland," remarked the
+hauptmann earnestly.  "The War Office seems to forget us out here."
+
+"Quite so," agreed von Lindenfelt.  "We do not get even Iron Crosses,
+although we are still holding out after two years of incessant
+guerrilla warfare.  Only the other day----"
+
+A junior officer stood in the doorway, his flaccid features working
+with excitement.
+
+"Pardon, Herr Oberst," he exclaimed, as he saluted.  "An English
+aeroplane----"
+
+"Donnerwetter!" interrupted the German excitedly.  "Is that so?  Von
+Argerlich, I trust that there is a positively bomb-proof shelter
+available?  How far away is the accursed machine, Herr Schmidt?  Is it
+flying in the direction of M'ganga?"
+
+"No, sir," replied the leutnant gravely.  He wanted to smile, but a
+display of mirth at the expense of a superior officer was not
+advisable.  "It has fallen at about twelve kilometres from here.  Our
+scouts reported that the two occupants were seen tramping through the
+bush in the direction of the English bivouac four miles south of
+Gwelba."
+
+"Why did not the Askaris shoot them?" demanded Oberst von Lindenfelt.
+
+"There were but three of our scouts and the Englishmen were armed,"
+explained the German.  "I would venture to suggest, Herr Oberst, that
+the men did well to return immediately with their report rather than
+risk being disabled in an attempt to engage the airmen."
+
+Von Lindenfelt pondered a few moments, then he turned abruptly to
+Ulrich von Gobendorff.
+
+"I believe you understand aeroplanes, Ulrich," he said.  "Did you not
+fly at the great Johannesthal meeting a few years ago?  I thought you
+told me so.  Ah! yes.  You will accompany Hauptmann von Argerlich and a
+half company of Askaris.  If the machine is easily repairable, fly it
+back here, otherwise destroy it.  Until this duty is performed I
+withhold my permission for you to leave the column.  Start as soon as
+possible.  A horse will be provided you."
+
+It was useless to demur.  The oberst's word was law.  Inwardly raging
+von Gobendorff rose to his feet, stiffly saluted and followed the
+hauptmann out of the hut in execution of von Lindenfelt's order.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+THE FIGHT FOR THE SEAPLANE
+
+At dawn Wilmshurst left the camp, accompanied by the full platoon, to
+attempt the salving of the crippled seaplane.  It was a comparatively
+easy matter to follow the tracks of the two airmen, for the
+down-trodden grass and the frequent sights of wisps of clothing
+adhering to the briars and thorns were evidences of a spoor that even
+an indifferent scout could determine.
+
+"Those two johnnies must have had a rough time of it," thought the
+subaltern.  "I can well imagine their difficulties.  It's a wonder they
+got to the camp at all, for there are distinct spoors of lions.  What's
+that, Bela Moshi?"
+
+"Big rhino him come by," reported the sergeant, pointing to heavy
+depression on the ground.  What he meant was that a rhinoceros had cut
+across the bush path not so very long ago, as the freshly trampled
+grass showed.
+
+"All right," replied Wilmshurst.  "Warn the men to be on the alert.  We
+don't want casualties."
+
+Bela Moshi hurried to the head of the column, for the Haussas were in
+single file, owing to the narrowness of the bush-path.
+
+At that moment the platoon was crossing a dried water-course, the
+ground shelving steeply on both sides.  The subaltern had an almost
+uninterrupted view of the heads and shoulders of the men preceding him
+as the foremost began the stiff ascent beyond the nullah.
+
+Suddenly the Haussas broke right and left, uttering warning shouts.
+Charging down the narrow track was a huge animal of the buffalo tribe,
+commonly known in Central Africa as a "bush-cow."
+
+The ground trembled under the thud of the brute's ponderous weight as
+it rushed at terrific speed to attack the khaki-clad blacks.
+
+One man alone stood his ground.  Dropping on one knee he fired straight
+at the centre of the tufts of hair that concealed the animal's eyes,
+the range being less than thirty yards.
+
+Dudley heard the almost simultaneous crash of the rifle and the thud of
+the bullet against the bush-cow's frontal-bone, but apparently unharmed
+the animal continued its headlong rush.
+
+Too late the plucky Haussa attempted to avoid the impetus by springing
+aside.  Even as he leapt to his feet the man was caught by the lowered
+head of the ferocious brute and tossed ten feet in the air.
+
+Across the bed of the dried-up stream the bush-cow charged, until
+Wilmshurst hurriedly came to the conclusion that it was quite time for
+him to dodge behind a tree.  As he made for shelter he saw the animal's
+fore-legs collapse and its ponderous carcass plough the ground.
+
+Making his way through the press of excited Haussas Wilmshurst saw that
+the bush-cow was stone dead.  The bullet had penetrated the brain,
+entering by a neatly-drilled puncture and emerging by a hole as large
+as a man's fist.  Yet, although hit in a vital spot, the animal had
+covered a distance of nearly fifty yards before collapsing.
+
+"One no go," declared Bela Moshi.  "Anoder him lib for come plenty
+quick."
+
+"Think so?" remarked the subaltern.  "Then don't stand bunched up
+together--extend.  Three of you lift Nara Gilul into the shade."
+
+Anxiously Wilmshurst examined the brave but unfortunate black.  Nara
+Gilul was fully conscious in spite of having fallen on his head, but
+two of his ribs were fractured and his shins were badly cut although
+protected by his puttees.
+
+"Nara Gilul him stop till we come back," suggested the corporal of his
+section in answer to Dudley's question as to what was to be done.  "Him
+'ab rifle an' ammunition.  Him lib to take care ob himsel'.  Berry much
+him fault."
+
+"That won't do, corporal," said Wilmshurst.  "We must send him back.
+Take five men with you.  It will be only two hours' trek."
+
+Accordingly the Haussas set to work to make a stretcher, performing the
+task with wonderful celerity.  They were on the point of lifting the
+helpless man when the shout was raised.
+
+"Bush-cow, him come!"
+
+"Take cover, all of you!" shouted the subaltern, loath to hamper his
+task by additional casualties.
+
+The Haussas obeyed with one exception--Bela Moshi.
+
+The sergeant, slipping a clip into the magazine, stood right in the
+centre of the path along which the second bush-cow was tearing, eager
+to avenge its mate.
+
+Wilmshurst made no further attempt to order Beta Moshi to take refuge.
+He realised that to do so would flurry the imperturbable sergeant, but
+he was entirely at a loss to understand why the Haussa was apparently
+courting disaster in precisely the same way as the luckless Nara Gilul
+had done.
+
+A rifle bolt clicked in the bush on the sergeant's flank.
+
+"Unload!" he hissed, knowing that the risk he ran from an excited man
+with a loaded rifle was greater than that confronting him.
+
+At a terrific pace the bush-cow bore down.  Twenty yards from the
+motionless man the brute lowered its head.  In that position its vision
+was obscured by the thick tufts of long hair.  Having taken its final
+"sighting position" the animal relied upon its momentum to achieve the
+destruction of its human enemy.
+
+The moment the bush-cow lowered its head Bela Moshi, with every sense
+on the alert, leapt sideways behind a tree.  Then, as the infuriated
+quadruped thundered past, the Haussa brought his rifle to the shoulder
+and fired.
+
+Thirty yards further the bush-cow dropped and died with a bullet
+through its heart, while the victor, grinning as only a black can grin,
+strode magnificently up to his victim and planted one foot upon the
+quivering carcass.
+
+The injured man having been sent back and the carcasses of the two
+animals dragged aside--they would provide excellent meat if the task of
+sun drying the flesh was not unduly delayed--the march was resumed,
+until on gaining the summit of a low hill the wings of the broken-down
+seaplane were visible as they rose obliquely above the scanty scrub at
+a distance of nearly two miles.
+
+Halting his men, Wilmshurst made a careful survey of the ground by
+means of his binoculars.  A number of large birds--_aasvogels_, or
+African vultures--were circling over the derelict.  It was therefore
+safe to conclude that no human being, unless helpless to lift a hand,
+was in the vicinity.
+
+In the midst of his investigations Tari Barl approached with a
+self-satisfied smile on his ebony features.
+
+"Askari him foots, sah!" he reported, holding up three fingers of his
+right hand to indicate that he had discovered the spoor of three of the
+German native soldiery.
+
+"H'm!" muttered Dudley.  "That's rotten news.  New spoor, Tarry Barrel?"
+
+The Haussa nodded vehemently, and led his officer to the footprints.
+
+Examination showed that three natives had been following the spoor of
+the two naval airmen.  The firm tread of the latter--for at that stage
+of the journey they were comparatively fresh--was partly obliterated by
+the typical imprints of a black walking stealthily on his toes, for the
+impress of the heels hardly occurred.  The Askaris had abandoned the
+trail a short distance from the brow of the hill, for there were marks
+where they had stood and debated, and the spoor leading in a
+north-westerly direction showed that they had gone by a different route
+from the one they had followed.  This track did not lead in the
+direction of the stranded seaplane, so Wilmshurst conjectured that the
+Askaris had made straight for their main body, possibly with the
+intention of bringing men to recover the trophy.
+
+Again the subaltern levelled his glasses and swept the skyline.
+Wending their way down a bare kloof were about two hundred armed blacks
+and three men in European garb riding in the centre of the column.
+
+"MacGreg him dar, sah!" exclaimed Bela Moshi.
+
+"Nonsense!" replied Wilmshurst, yet in his heart he was not at all sure
+but that the Haussa was right.
+
+"MacGreg him make palaver with Bosh-bosh," declared the sergeant.
+
+It was a contest between a pair of high-powered field glasses and the
+eyesight of a native.  Vainly Wilmshurst wiped the lenses and looked
+and looked again without being able to satisfy himself that Bela
+Moshi's statement was correct.
+
+"Here, you boy!" said the sergeant addressing Tari Barl.  "You come
+here an' use yer eyes all one time quick.  Say who am white man on der
+black horse."
+
+"Me tink MacGreg him come," replied Tari Barl after a brief survey.
+"No; me no tink me know."
+
+Wilmshurst waited inactive.  Until the approaching hostile column had
+descended from the high ground and the men were deep in the bush,
+attempt on the part of the Haussas to advance from the ridge would
+result in the latter's detection.  So, holding the men well under cover
+Wilmshurst kept the Huns under observation until it was safe to attempt
+a surprise.
+
+Long before the extended line of troops had marched into the
+scrub-laden valley, the subaltern was forced to come to the conclusion
+that MacGregor was not only with the enemy, but obviously one of them.
+As the distance decreased he could make out the man's features, quite
+distinctly, and could see him talking volubly with the German officers
+on either side.
+
+The Askaris were numerically far stronger than Wilmshurst's platoon,
+but the Haussas had a great advantage--that of being the surprising
+force.  In bush fighting especially this is a decided advantage, since
+the closeness of the ground prevents the troops attacked knowing the
+number or disposition of their opponents, while the moral effect of a
+sudden rush of well-armed and disciplined men upon enemies practically
+unprepared for the onslaught cannot be under-estimated.
+
+"MacGreg him make for maquisha," declared Bela Moshi grimly, as he
+carefully blacked the foresight of his rifle.
+
+"Maquisha" in the Haussa language signifies something more than
+finished.  A man might say, "I've finished eating," for example, and
+yet in a few hours he will be again satisfying his hunger, but
+"maquisha" signifies finished in the penultimate sense--the final
+extermination of a certain person or thing.
+
+"No, no, Bela Moshi," said Wilmshurst decidedly.  "We want MacGreg
+taken prisoner.  That's important.  Pass the word along; tell the men
+that there's a month's pay to the Haussa who takes MacGreg alive."
+
+It was rather a tall order, and Wilmshurst knew it.  MacGregor, now
+openly a traitor, would not be likely to surrender in view of the fact
+that a drum-head court-martial and an ignominious death in front of a
+firing-party would certainly be his fate.
+
+Returning his field glasses and confidently snapping the lid of the
+case Wilmshurst gave the word to advance in open order.  He had decided
+upon a position about two hundred yards short of the derelict aircraft,
+guessing that the still unsuspecting enemy would concentrate upon that
+objective, and thus form a compact and easy target for the Haussas'
+rifles.
+
+Naturally concluding that the airmen had chosen the most open stretch
+of ground available for the purpose of making their landing, Wilmshurst
+found that his judgment was sound.  Right in the centre of the valley
+the scrub was almost entirely absent, the ground being covered with
+grass little more than ankle deep in height and absolutely devoid of
+cover over a belt of nearly four hundred yards in width.
+
+Up to a certain point the Huns showed caution, for presently two
+Askaris, pushing on ahead of the main body, came into view.  That they
+expected no danger was apparent from the fact that they had their
+rifles slung.  At the sight of the derelict seaplane they stood
+stock-still, for it was the first aircraft at rest that they had seen.
+Then bounding across the intervening stretch of grass they wandered
+round and round the machine, jabbering and pointing out to each other
+various parts of the aeroplane that particularly struck their attention.
+
+The shrill blasts of a whistle diverted their thoughts into another
+direction.  The officer in charge of the Askari column had signalled to
+the scouts to advance and examine the scrub beyond the place where the
+seaplane stood.
+
+Like well-trained dogs the two native soldiers obeyed, and with their
+rifles still slung they hastened towards the position occupied by the
+alert Haussas, passing between two clumps of cacti behind which were
+hiding Tari Barl, No Go, Double-headed Penny and two more of No. 1
+Section.
+
+The Haussas let them pass.  Unsuspicious the Askaris proceeded until
+their movements were hidden from their friends by the intervening
+scrub, then with hardly a sound the five lithe and muscular Waffs leapt
+upon them.
+
+Before the startled men could even utter a gurgle they were lying flat
+on their backs, unable to move hand or foot, while a hand laid over
+their mouths and a keen-edged bayonet laid across their throats warned
+them that silence was the only alternative to sudden death.
+
+Accepting the former choice the prisoners were bound and gagged, and
+taken a hundred yards or so into the bush, a Haussa mounting guard over
+them to make sure that the wily Askaris did not slip their bonds.
+
+Wilmshurst's anxiety was now the thought that the main body would not
+emerge from the bush, since the two scouts were not able to signal that
+all was well.  Several minutes passed, but still the German troops
+failed to debouch from the scrub.
+
+A stealthy footstep behind him made the subaltern turn his head.  To
+his surprise he saw Bela Moshi rigged out in the uniform and equipment
+of one of the captives.
+
+"Me give Bosh-bosh de word 'Come on' one time quick, sah," he
+announced.  "Me know how."
+
+Wilmshurst did not think fit to enquire how the resourceful sergeant
+acquired the information.  There are times when an officer does well
+not to question his subordinate's actions.
+
+"Very good, carry on," he whispered.
+
+Standing in a gap between two clumps of bushes Bela Moshi, grasping his
+rifle a few inches from the muzzle, held the weapon vertically above
+his head moving it to and fro five or six times.
+
+The decoy signal was almost immediately answered by the appearance of
+the main body of the Askaris and with them the three Europeans, who
+were still mounted.
+
+Wilmshurst let them approach until the foremost Askaris were within a
+hundred yards of the seaplane.  They were now in no semblance of order,
+surging impetuously forward, their officers towering head and shoulders
+above the throng.
+
+Sharp and shrill rang out the subaltern's whistle.  A volley, crisp and
+clear, burst from the line of admirably concealed Haussas, then each
+man "let rip" as fast as he could withdraw, and thrust home the bolt of
+his rifle and bring the weapon to his shoulder.
+
+It was such a tremendous surprise that for a moment the Askaris, save
+those who dropped, stood stock still.  Then, panic-stricken, they broke
+and fled, the German officers setting them the example.
+
+As the so-called MacGregor wheeled his horse Bela Moshi, who had
+withheld his fire, saw his opportunity.  At five hundred yards he sent
+a bullet crashing through the devoted animal's head.  Like a stone the
+horse dropped, throwing its rider to the earth.
+
+By some means the dried grass took fire, the flames crackling and
+roaring as they spread with great rapidity, fortunately away from the
+broken-down seaplane.  Through the whirling clouds of smoke could be
+faintly discerned the backs of the fugitives, many of whom dropped as
+they ran with a Haussa's bullet betwixt their shoulder blades, while
+remorselessly the devouring element made its way in the direction of
+the place where the traitor had fallen.
+
+So complete was the demoralization of the foe that Wilmshurst had now
+no hesitation in ordering an advance at the double.  Although the
+German levies still greatly outnumbered the Haussas the former had--in
+Tommy parlance--"the wind up properly," and numerical superiority no
+longer counted.
+
+With fixed bayonets the platoon swept forward.  Over the path of the
+fire the Haussas rushed, the still glowing embers failing to deter
+them, their bare feet notwithstanding.  Yelling and shouting they
+pursued their foes, sweeping aside all isolated attempts at resistance,
+until the remnants of the hostile column were driven more than two
+miles from the scene of their surprise.
+
+It took considerable efforts on the part of the non-commissioned
+officer to make the highly-elated Haussas desist from pursuit, but
+Wilmshurst knew too well the rashness of a prolonged chase through
+difficult country.  Retiring, picking up wounded and prisoners as they
+went, the Waffs re-formed on arriving at the open belt of ground where
+the brilliant little victory had commenced.
+
+By this time the scrub was well alight, fanned by the strong
+south-easterly breeze.  The fire was also working against the wind, but
+the concerted efforts of the Haussas prevented it approaching the
+derelict aircraft.
+
+In vain a search was made for the traitor who was known to the Haussas
+as MacGreg.  His horse, surrounded by half a dozen badly-charred
+corpses, was discovered, but of the rider there were no signs.
+Reluctantly Wilmshurst was forced to come to the conclusion that
+fortune had favoured the recreant, and that under cover of the dense
+smoke the fellow had either crawled away or else had been carried by
+some of the Askaris.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+PREPARATIONS
+
+"Well, sergeant; how many casualties?"
+
+Bela Moshi, wearing a broad smile, saluted.
+
+"Brass Pot, him head-bone blown inside out," he replied, as cheerfully
+as only a Haussa can when reporting losses amongst his comrades.
+"Nimshi Pali, him no good--maquisha.  Dat all dead, but plenty much
+Haussa hurt--so many."
+
+He indicated by means of his fingers that fifteen were more or less
+seriously wounded, a fairly heavy toll of the sixty odd men who had
+paraded that morning.  Nevertheless, the sacrifice had not been made in
+vain, for a numerically stronger force had been completely routed with
+the loss of eighteen left dead upon the field, and thirty-eight wounded
+and unwounded prisoners, together with fifty-nine Mauser rifles, which,
+for want of transport, were smashed after the bolt action of each had
+been removed.
+
+Having taken proper precautions against a surprise counter-attack,
+although such a step was unlikely in view of the demoralization of the
+defeated force, Wilmshurst directed his attention to the object of the
+expedition--the saving of the seaplane.
+
+West African natives are as a rule good carpenters and blacksmiths, and
+the Haussas were no exception.  Under Wilmshurst's directions they set
+to work to dismantle the machine, removing the planes as carefully and
+expeditiously as a party of crack mechanics from the Royal Air Force
+factories.  One of the floats was badly smashed, but the other was
+practically intact except for a small jagged hole in the three-ply
+mahogany.
+
+In a couple of hours the machine was ready for transport across five
+miles of bush country, although, fortunately, the ground was fairly
+level.
+
+A pair of mountain gun wheels on a broad base-line had been brought for
+the purpose, and the chassis, engine included, was rested on the axle.
+Relays of men steadied and propelled the heavy load, others armed with
+axes and entrenching spades going on ahead to clear the path.  Other
+parties transported the floats and planes, while advance and rear
+guards and flankers were thrown out to guard against a possible
+surprise, while an escort had to be provided for the prisoners.
+
+With frequent halts it was not surprising that the rate of progress was
+roughly one and a half miles an hour, and it was close on sunset when
+the rescued seaplane arrived at the banks of a small river, where the
+Waffs, having struck camp in the vicinity of Gwelba, had only just
+marched in.
+
+Colonel Quarrier was delighted with Wilmshurst's report and personally
+complimented him upon the way in which he had accomplished the
+difficult task with which he had been entrusted, and also the brilliant
+little action, which was quite unexpected.
+
+"Pity you didn't either plug or capture that worthless scoundrel
+MacGregor," he remarked, for there was now no doubt about the utter
+faithlessness of the supposed Rhodesian.  "A man like that will cause
+more trouble than a dozen machine-guns.  I suppose, in the course of
+former conversations with him, you did not detect any trace of a
+foreign accent?"
+
+"None whatever, sir," replied Dudley.
+
+"Or mannerisms?"
+
+Again the subaltern replied in the negative.
+
+"I can only hope," continued Colonel Quarrier, "that the fellow isn't
+an Englishman.  It is just possible that he is of German nationality,
+and that long years of residence either in Great Britain or the
+colonies has enabled him to totally suppress his Hunnish accent and
+traits, although it is almost an impossible matter to eradicate his
+sympathies for his kultured Fatherland.  'Once a German, always a
+German,' you know."
+
+Having been dismissed by his colonel, Dudley was questioned and
+congratulated by Captain Manners, the adjutant, who also expressed
+regret that the so-called MacGregor had contrived to escape capture.
+The members of the "Lone Star Crush" were boisterously warm in their
+congratulations, chaffing the subaltern as well as they knew; but
+Wilmshurst, alive to the mannerisms of his brother-officers, took their
+facetious remarks in good part.
+
+The two officer-airmen added their thanks and good wishes.  They were
+still too weak to walk any distance and had to be carried in
+roughly-constructed "dhoolies" by the Haussas.  Their relief on
+learning that the seaplane was safely alongside the river was great,
+especially when they were promised that the work of repairing the
+floats would be put in hand forthwith.
+
+"Your C.O. evidently wants to get rid of us," declared the pilot
+smiling.  "A crippled 'bus hampers the mobility of the column.  We
+heard that a runner came in just now before we left Gwelba, with the
+news that an ammunition column and details are on their way up-country.
+We've sent down for more petrol, so things look rosy--thanks
+principally to you."
+
+"That's nothing," expostulated Wilmshurst.  "Merely returning good for
+evil--that's all."
+
+"'Returning good for evil,'" repeated the pilot.  "I don't understand
+you."
+
+"Let me explain," continued Dudley, laughing at the thought of
+disillusioning the airmen.  "A day or two ago my platoon were posted on
+the M'ganga road.  We were just settling down nicely to give Fritz a
+warm welcome when you two fellows started dropping bombs on us."
+
+"Good heavens!" ejaculated the observer.  "We thought we were strafing
+a mob of Huns.  No damage, I trust?"
+
+"You would have heard of it before now if there had been," replied
+Wilmshurst.  "The nearest one just dusted some of my men, that's all.
+We couldn't get you to see that we were a Haussa platoon, and I had a
+nice old job keeping my men in hand.  They wanted to take pot shots at
+you.  By the bye, what made you chuck it--clear out after dropping only
+a few bombs?"
+
+"Our last, fortunately for you," said the pilot.  "I say, what a frost!
+An' we claimed four direct hits, didn't we?"
+
+"We did," corroborated the other dourly.  "We seriously considered the
+idea of giving you a couple of trays of Lewis gun ammunition, Mr.
+Wilmshurst.  You'd be surprised how difficult it is to distinguish
+between British and German native troops from any height.  By the bye,
+did you find a mahogany box in the fuselage?  Good! it contains
+undeveloped photograph plates.  One we took of your position.  I'll
+send along a print when we get back to our base.  It will interest you."
+
+The Waffs were to remain in camp for three days, pending the arrival of
+the convoy.  Even had the latter not been expected the Haussas were
+temporarily rendered immobile by the presence of the crippled seaplane
+and her crew, and also by the number of prisoners.  The captive Askaris
+were subjected to a strict examination, with the result that it was
+discovered that Robert MacGregor was really a German, and a person of
+some official capacity, since he was on friendly terms with the Hun
+commandant, while an Askari sergeant gave the traitor's name with great
+distinctness, Ulrich von Gobendorff, adding that the German used to
+have charge of a fortified post at Twashi in the Narewenda Hills.
+
+"That's not so very many miles from the Rhodesian border," thought
+Wilmshurst, as he made a note of the name in his pocket-book.  "I
+wonder if we are ever likely to operate in that district?"
+
+Other information given by the prisoners fixed the position of a German
+entrenched post held by three native regiments and a handful of whites,
+at M'ganga, under the command of von Lindenfelt.
+
+"M'ganga?  I thought this was M'ganga," exclaimed the puzzled adjutant,
+referring to a map.  "Ask the prisoner how far he marched and in what
+direction before he was captured?"
+
+The man having replied, Captain Manners was able to locate the spot.
+On the German-inspired maps it was shown as a place, whereas, according
+to the Askari's description M'ganga was a fairly extensive table-land,
+precipitous on three sides, while on the fourth the ground descended in
+a series of slight terraces to a broad but shallow river, fordable at a
+dozen places, within a distance of a couple of miles.
+
+"If only the beggars will stand," exclaimed Colonel Quarrier, "the
+place will be well worth going for.  With our small force a turning
+movement seems rather a tall order.  Of course, if we can get in touch
+with the Pathan regiments at Kilmoro--and there's a detachment of
+Rhodesian Light Horse, too, I believe."
+
+"Yes, sir," agreed the senior major.  "If we can co-operate--cannot we
+send a runner, sir?  He'll be back before the ammunition and a supply
+column comes in."
+
+In quick time the repairs to the seaplane were completed, and the craft
+moored afloat in a wide expanse of the river.  Owing to the difficult
+country, where an aeroplane fitted with landing-wheels would be at a
+loss to find a suitable spot to alight, a seaplane stood a better
+chance, owing to the presence of several wide rivers, and here the Sea
+Service machines of the Royal Air Force scored over the German
+aircraft; most of which were already _hors de combat_, and could not be
+replaced owing to the lack of material and the cutting off of German
+East Africa from practically all communication without.
+
+On hearing of the proposed attack upon von Lindenfelt the naval airmen,
+who were rapidly recovering from the effect of their arduous and
+perilous trek, volunteered to remain and co-operate.  For observation
+purposes and machine-gunning the Huns they would be able to render
+yeoman service, while, when their offer was promptly accepted, the
+ingenious officers set to work to manufacture bombs.
+
+These missiles, rough and ready in construction, were none the less
+formidable, while the moral effect was a great consideration.  The
+"eggs" consisted of small sacks filled with cordite, both loose and in
+cartridges, while by manipulating the fuses of Mills bombs, so that the
+period between release and explosion was increased to six seconds, the
+improvised missiles were made to detonate just before reaching the
+ground after a fall of six hundred feet.
+
+The tempestuous shouts of the Haussas announced the arrival of the
+transport column, for food was beginning to run short and the men's
+rations would have had to have been reduced had not the expected stores
+been speedily forthcoming.  There was petrol, too, enough for a series
+of flights over a distance of two hundred miles; while to the intense
+satisfaction of officers and men big Jock Spofforth rejoined the
+regiment, looking none the worse for his encounter with the lioness,
+except for the still raw scars on his brawny arms.
+
+"Just in time for a dust-up, I find, old man," was his reply to
+Wilmshurst's greeting.  "You've been lucky already, I hear?  Where's
+that MacGregor chap?  Is he still with the battalion?"
+
+Briefly Dudley explained what had happened.
+
+"Skunk," muttered Spofforth.  "So we've been taking a dirty Hun under
+our wing, so to speak.  I don't mind admitting now that I didn't think
+much of the blighter when he pushed off and promptly fainted."
+
+"But I scooted, too," interrupted Laxdale, "and left you to tackle the
+lioness."
+
+"I also plead guilty," added Danvers.
+
+"But with this difference," rejoined Spofforth: "you were unarmed and
+he had a rifle.  Ah, well; you fellows have stolen a march on me, and
+I've a lot of leeway to make up.  When do we move against M'ganga?"
+
+"As soon as we are in touch with the Indian crush," replied Danvers.
+"It may be tomorrow."
+
+"Hurrah!" exclaimed Spofforth.  "Let's hope it will be a decent scrap,
+and that von Gobendorff will be present at the meeting."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE SNIPER
+
+It was not until thirty-six hours later that the Waffs moved out of
+camp for the purpose of delivering a surprise attack upon von
+Lindenfelt's position.  From N'gere a strong force of Pathans,
+accompanied by a mule mountain battery, was marching in a
+north-easterly direction to cut off, if possible, the Huns' retreat,
+while the Rhodesian Light Horse was operating between M'ganga and the
+Karewenda Geberge in order to keep contact with any German troops
+likely to attempt to reinforce von Lindenfelt's garrison.  To still
+further encompass the hostile position a force of Belgians was
+approaching from the westward.  Even if these resolute and energetic
+troops failed to be in for the actual fighting, they would most
+effectually round up any stragglers, who would otherwise contrive to
+escape to the hinterland, where strong bands of Huns still maintained
+guerrilla tactics.
+
+Almost as soon as it was light the seaplane rose from the surface of
+the river and flew westwards to note the respective dispositions of the
+other troops operating against M'ganga.  In the absence of wireless
+Colonel Quarrier could receive the airmen's report only by means of a
+written message dropped from the seaplane, while before the storming
+troops were in position the airmen would have to return to their
+temporary base, replenish petrol and then fly off to bomb von
+Lindenfelt's stronghold.
+
+Progress was slow as far as the Haussas were concerned.  Although there
+were no indications that the Huns expected an attack so promptly they
+had made certain preparations.  The only approach from the south-east
+was by means of a narrow path through well-wooded and undulating
+country, and for miles from M'ganga the wily Germans had beset the road
+with pitfalls and booby-traps.  There were caltrops by the
+hundred--sharp-pointed spikes stuck into the ground, their tips
+cunningly hidden by dead leaves--which were responsible for a few
+casualties as the Haussas' bare feet came in contact with the barbs.
+These devices the blacks countered by means of implements shaped like
+exaggerated hoes which they pushed in front of them.
+
+Other defensive measures were heavy logs suspended by boughs
+overhanging the path by means of light but strong wires.  An unwary
+footfall would release a catch which in turn would cause the baulk of
+timber to crash to the earth.  There were old muskets, charged to
+bursting point with slugs and nails, which were fired by similar
+devices, while on three occasions fougasses, or land-mines, were
+exploded, fortunately without causing casualties.  The Haussas, not to
+be outdone by their Askari foes, had taken the precaution of driving
+oxen well in front of the advance guard, and although six beasts had
+been killed by infernal machines, the troops succeeded in crossing the
+belt of forest with a loss of five men slightly wounded.
+
+"The explosion of those fougasses has knocked on the head our chances
+of delivering a surprise attack," remarked the company commander to
+Wilmshurst.  "It will be a frontal attack against a prepared foe.
+Let's hope the Huns won't bolt."
+
+"That's the general opinion, sir," replied the subaltern.  "The men are
+simply longing for a scrap.  Fritz has thrown away one good chance.  He
+might have played Old Harry with us if he had posted a couple of
+companies in ambush in the forest."
+
+"I wasn't sorry to get clear of the place," admitted the major.  "A
+hundred men might have been lying in wait in those underglades and our
+flankers wouldn't spot 'em.  Hullo, here's the seaplane."
+
+Flying at a comparatively low altitude the machine approached rapidly
+"down wind."  In the clear atmosphere the concentric red, white, and
+blue circles that indicated its nationality were visible from a great
+distance, while presently the features of the observer could be
+distinguished as he leant over the side of the fuselage.
+
+Presently a small object to which coloured streamers were attached was
+dropped from the seaplane.  Greatly to the curiosity of the blacks, who
+watched the descending message with undisguised wonderment, the object
+did not explode on reaching the ground as they fully expected it to do;
+and it was with an absurd display of caution that Tari Barl and Blue
+Fly went to receive it.
+
+"The C.O--sharp!" ordered Wilmshurst.  "Don't hold the thing like a
+snake--it won't bite."
+
+Tari Barl departed on his errand, and returned presently, looking very
+crestfallen.
+
+"What's wrong, Tarry Barrel?" asked the subaltern.
+
+"Colonel him call me one time fool, sah," he reported.  "Him tell you
+come see him all in dashed hurry quick."
+
+"I wonder what Tarry Barrel has been doing?" thought Dudley as he
+hastened to report to his C.O.
+
+Colonel Quarrier was laughing, so were the adjutant and the regimental
+sergeant-major.  In the former's hand was the unrolled scrap of paper
+on which the airmen's message was written.
+
+"It's all right, after all, Mr. Wilmshurst," said the colonel.  "Your
+runner is a bit of a blockhead, as I think you'll admit.  Evidently
+under the impression that these coloured ribbons were a present to me
+from the skies, he handed over the streamers, while the case containing
+the writing, which had been soiled when it fell to the ground, he
+carefully cut off and threw away.  As you are here you may as well
+inform your company commander the news: the --th and --th Pathans are
+in their prearranged positions.  There will be a twenty-minutes'
+bombardment by the mountain battery in conjunction with an attack by
+the seaplane.  At four forty-five the Waffs will advance in three lines
+to the assault.  That's all, Mr. Wilmshurst."
+
+The subaltern saluted and withdrew.  It was now three o'clock and an
+hour and three-quarters were to elapse before the battalion went into
+action.
+
+"Looks as if we've cornered the beggars, Mr. Wilmshurst," remarked the
+major, when Dudley had communicated the C.O.'s message.  "I suppose
+they are still there," he added.
+
+The two officers searched the crest of the hill through their
+field-glasses.  So elaborate and skilful were the enemy defences that
+the powerful lenses failed to detect any trace of the rifle pits and
+sand-bagged parapets of the trenches.  Nor were any troops visible.
+The top of the table-land looked as deserted as an unexplored land in
+the Polar regions.
+
+Wilmshurst lowered his binoculars.  He was about to make some reply
+when to the accompaniment of a shrill whistling sound his helmet was
+whisked from his head, falling to the ground a good ten feet from where
+he stood.
+
+For some minutes the two officers regarded each other, the major
+anxiously the other whimsically.
+
+"Hit?" asked the major laconically.
+
+"No, sir," replied Wilmshurst.
+
+"Jolly near squeak," continued the other.  "I think we'll choose a
+little less exposed position to resume our observations."
+
+Dudley retrieved his helmet.  A couple of clean-cut holes marked the
+entry and exit of a bullet, the missile having missed the subaltern's
+head by a fraction of an inch.
+
+"We've drawn their fire, sir," he exclaimed.  "They are still there."
+
+"A sniper at eight hundred yards, I should imagine," observed the
+company commander.  "A jolly good shot for a Hun.  We'll try our luck
+again."
+
+Making their way to the depression in the ground where the Haussas of
+"A" and "B" Companies were lying, the two officers set a couple of men
+to work to rig up a dummy soldier.  When complete the effigy was slowly
+moved so that from the hostile position it gave the appearance of a
+Haussa brazenly and defiantly moving out in the open, while a dozen
+officers swept the ground on their front with their field-glasses to
+try to detect the faint flash of a sniper's rifle.
+
+A puff of smoke rose from behind a bush at a distance of half a mile,
+and almost immediately following the sharp crack of a rifle a bullet
+"knocked spots" off the effigy.
+
+Without hesitation twenty or more Haussas let fly in the direction of
+the puff of smoke.
+
+"What are you aiming at, men?" shouted the major.
+
+The score of blacks grinned unanimously.  In their minds they had no
+suspicion but that they had acted promptly and efficaciously.
+
+Again the dummy was held aloft, and again the same thing happened.
+
+"I've spotted him, sir!" exclaimed Wilmshurst.  "Caught sight of the
+flash about fifty yards to the right.  Fritz, old sport, you're
+exposed."
+
+While the riflemen were keeping up a hot fire upon the bush that they
+supposed was concealing the sniper the company-commander ordered Bela
+Moshi to turn a machine gun upon the position that Wilmshurst had
+spotted.
+
+Before twenty-four rounds had been let loose a man sprang three feet in
+the air, and fell inertly upon the ridge that had but imperfectly
+protected him.
+
+"Dead as mutton," reported Wilmshurst, after bringing his glasses to
+bear upon the ill-starred Hun.  "He nearly had me, though," he
+soliloquised, tentatively fingering the double perforation in his
+helmet.
+
+There was no lack of volunteers to examine the sniper's lair.
+Regardless of the risk of being potted at by other enemy riflemen Bela
+Moshi, Tari Barl, and Spot Cash crept forward, taking advantage of
+every available bit of cover.
+
+In twenty minutes the Haussas returned, reporting in characteristically
+native terms that the German's head had been literally riddled with the
+burst of bullets from the Maxim.  They brought his rifle and
+ammunition, his field glasses and a small electric battery.  In
+connection with the latter wires were run from the sniper's lair to the
+bush from which the puffs of smoke had been seen.  Here small charges
+of black powder had been placed so as to be exploded from a safe
+distance and thus deceive the Haussas as to the rifleman's actual
+position.  The Hun was a bit of a strategist, but he had overreached
+himself.  It was the dense smoke from the black powder that had given
+him away.  Had he used the so-called smokeless powder the Haussas might
+have expended hundreds of rounds without discovering the cheat.
+
+Wilmshurst examined the weapon that had so nearly done him in.  It was
+an improved Mauser, bearing the German Government proof mark and the
+date 1917, and was fitted with the latest approved type of telescopic
+sight, while on the muzzle was fixed a small metal cylinder that
+effectually silenced the report.
+
+"That's strange, sir," he remarked to the major.  "We distinctly heard
+the report."
+
+"We did," agreed the company commander.  "I cannot understand it unless
+the Boche for some reason fired several rounds with the silencer
+removed.  If so, why?"
+
+Before the discussion could be carried further a dull, booming sound
+came from behind the table-land of M'ganga, while at a little height
+behind the German position appeared the mushroom-like cloud of white
+smoke as the shrapnel burst.
+
+"Good!" ejaculated the company commander, replacing his binoculars.
+"We've had the orchestral selection; the curtain rises on the First
+Act."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+THE STORMING OF M'GANGA
+
+A loud whirring noise audible above the distant cannonade announced
+that the seaplane was passing overhead to participate in the strafing
+of Fritz.  Of necessity the airmen had to fly high in order to avoid
+being hit by the British shrapnel, but the summit of M'Ganga offered a
+big target and the bombs were soon dropping merrily upon the trenches,
+dug-outs, and storehouses of von Lindenfelt's position.
+
+In a very few minutes the table-land was enveloped in a piebald pall of
+smoke, yet no return fire came from the two 4.1 inch guns that were
+known to be with von Lindenfelt's column.  Apart from the bursting
+shells and bombs there were no evidences of movement in the Huns'
+stronghold--a circumstance that caused the Waff officers to wonder
+deeply and mutter under their breath.
+
+"Fix bayonets!"
+
+The sharp click of the weapons being fixed to the rifles rattled along
+the line of excited Haussas.  Then in open order the blacks hurried
+forward to take cover.  Nor did any hostile bullet seek to check their
+progress.  Without hindrance the black and khaki steel-tipped line
+gained a pre-arranged position within four hundred yards of the base of
+M'Ganga plateau.
+
+Here the men were halted to take a "breather" before essaying the final
+task, while the company officers foregathered, consulting their
+synchronised watches.  In another ten minutes--five minutes before the
+time for the bombardment to cease--the Haussas were to start on their
+desperate frontal attack.
+
+"How goes it?" enquired Wilmshurst of Jock Spofforth, as the giant
+strolled leisurely across from the platoon.
+
+"Rotten," admitted the other candidly.  His big fingers were trembling
+slightly as he applied a match to a cigarette.  "First time going into
+action, you know.  It's the hanging about business that gets on a
+fellow's nerves."
+
+"You'll be all right when the advance sounds," declared Dudley.  "I
+felt like it once."
+
+"Simply had to stroll over and have a palaver with you," continued
+Spofforth.  "I was afraid that my men would spot my hands trembling.
+Hope the Boches are standing.  Hang it all!  Why did nature let me grow
+to this height?"
+
+Spofforth was laughing now.  The mental tension of the seemingly
+interminable wait was over.
+
+"Two minutes more--hop it, old man," cautioned Wilmshurst.  "The best
+of luck."
+
+The whistles sounded.  Almost immediately, as if by some uncanny means
+the distant gunners saw that the infantry were in motion, the strafe
+ceased.  Overhead the seaplane still circled.  The bomb-dropping part
+of their task completed the airmen lingered to watch the advance, and
+if occasion offered to assist the storming troops by means of their
+Lewis gun.
+
+The natural features of the face of the plateau made the ascent a
+difficult one.  Often the Haussas had to climb upon their comrades'
+shoulders, and in return help them to surmount an awkward terrace; yet
+everything considered the triple line was well maintained, the blacks
+needing no encouragement from their white officers, who, perspiring
+freely in every pore, were well ahead of their men.
+
+The summit at last.  Well-nigh breathless, Wilmshurst, although by no
+means the first, drew himself over the rocky edge of the table-land to
+find the ground plentifully sprinkled with barbed wire entanglements.
+Although this form of defence had been badly knocked about by
+shell-fire there was still sufficient wire, either in tension or else
+in snake-like coils, to offer serious impediment to the advance.
+
+Suddenly the opening shot of a ragged, ill-aimed fusillade burst from a
+line of zig-zagged trenches a hundred yards from the edge of the
+plateau.  A Haussa, in the act of assisting a comrade, sprang high in
+the air, and fell, his hands in his death-agony clutching at
+Wilmshurst's ankles.
+
+Without knowing what trapped him the subaltern measured his length on
+the ground.  Probably the fall saved his life, for a corporal
+immediately behind him was shot through the chest.
+
+"Prone position--independent firing," shouted the major, realising that
+it was a forlorn hope for a few men to charge.  Until a sufficient
+number of bayonets was on the plateau a forward movement was out of the
+question.
+
+Coolly the Haussas threw themselves on the ground, taking advantage of
+every scrap of cover.  To the accompaniment of the constant whip-like
+cracks of the rifles other blacks clambered upon the fairly level
+ground until three companies were in readiness to continue the advance.
+
+Again the whistle sounded.  The crowd of prostrate Haussas rose to
+their feet, yelling and shouting as they lurched forward with levelled
+bayonets.  Men fell almost unheeded as the Waffs forced their way
+through the gaps in the barbed wire, and swept right and left to avoid
+the shell craters.  By this means platoons became intermingled, while
+companies overlapped each other, but steadily the onward rush continued.
+
+The Askaris in the first line of trenches did not wait.  The sight of
+the tips of the glittering bayonets was too much for their courage.
+Their fire ceased; they turned and scurried over the parados, followed
+by bullets from the Haussas and met by bullets from their German
+task-masters, who had taken the precaution of stiffening their native
+levies with a lead ration should they show signs of weakening.
+
+In this predicament the Askaris halted and faced about.  Already the
+Haussas were astride the first trench and interlocked with the nearmost
+of their foes, the while a German machine gun was playing on the
+combatants with the delightful impartiality that a Hun displays to save
+his own hide.
+
+Temporarily the Haussas' charge was checked.  The machine gun was
+playing havoc with them.  Then, suddenly, the ominous tic-tac ceased,
+while overhead came the pop-pop-pop of the seaplane's automatic gun.
+It was more than the Huns had bargained for.  Some dived into
+underground retreats, others bolted, showing a clean pair of heels to
+the Askaris, who were now resisting valiantly.
+
+In the melee Wilmshurst found himself attacked by three muscular
+natives, who for some reason did not attempt to fire, but fought with
+their rifles and bayonets.
+
+One the subaltern shot with the last cartridge in his revolver.
+Hurling the empty weapon at the head of the second--which the Askari
+avoided by adroitly stepping aside--Dudley parried a bayonet-thrust
+with the sole weapon at his disposal, a "loaded" trench-stick.  As he
+did so the second native closed, delivering a thrust that drove the
+bayonet through the left sleeve of the subaltern's tunic.  Before the
+man could recover his weapon, Wilmshurst brought the heavy stick down
+upon his fingers.
+
+Dropping his rifle the Askari gripped the subaltern's wrist with his
+uninjured right hand, while a third native ran in to drive his bayonet
+through the young officer's chest.
+
+A deafening report sounded close to Wilmshurst's ear; he felt the blast
+of a rifle shot on his cheek, but he had the satisfaction of seeing the
+Askari topple forward and bite the dust.
+
+Wilmshurst settled the third antagonist very effectively by delivering
+a crashing blow with his left upon the point of the Askari's chin.  The
+man relaxed his grip and dropped.
+
+"Thanks, Bela Moshi!" exclaimed Wilmshurst, catching sight of the
+sergeant as the latter thrust a fresh clip of cartridges into his
+magazine.
+
+The struggle in this part of the line was now over.  The Haussas were
+engaged in firing shots into the dug-outs to intimidate their German
+occupants.  Fifty or sixty prisoners were being disarmed and rounded
+up, while the wounded had to be given attention.
+
+Wilmshurst, picking up his revolver and reloading it, looked around for
+his brother subalterns.  There was big Jock Spofforth in the act of
+putting a first-aid dressing round a bullet wound in Danvers' arm,
+while Laxdale was sitting on the ground and nursing his left foot.
+
+There was no time to make enquiries just then.  It was satisfactory to
+learn that all the officers of "A" Company were alive; those who were
+wounded were making light of their hurts.  On the right flank the
+struggle was still in progress, and until all resistance was at an end
+Wilmshurst had no time for other things.
+
+Acting upon his company commander's orders the subaltern took charge of
+the task of clearing out the dug-outs, while the remaining platoons of
+"A" and "B" Companies re-formed, and hastened to the support of their
+comrades who were still hotly engaged.
+
+"If we only had a supply of bombs!" thought Dudley as he watched the
+ineffectual attempt of his men to induce the occupants of a deep
+shelter to surrender.
+
+Half a dozen Haussas were gathered round the entrance firing volleys
+into the cavernous depths, and punctuating the fusillade by
+quaintly-worded threats of what they would do if the Bosh-bosh didn't
+"show hand up one time bery much quick."
+
+Bidding his men be silent, Wilmshurst demanded the surrender of the
+Germans in the dug-out.  Hearing a British officer's voice one of the
+Huns replied defiantly:
+
+"We no surrender make to a schweinhund Englander.  We food haf for six
+week, an' you cannot hurt us."
+
+"Can't we, by Jove!" replied Wilmshurst.  "Sergeant, bring along that
+box of bombs."
+
+"Bery good, sah," said Bela Moshi, grinning as he hurried away a few
+steps on a phantom errand.
+
+"Now, then," continued the subaltern.  "I give you one minute to make
+up your minds; if you refuse to surrender we'll blow you to blazes.  I
+take the time from now."
+
+Half a minute passed in absolute silence as far as the vicinity of the
+dug-out was concerned, although three or four hundred yards away the
+desultory firing still continued.  Three quarters of a minute: there
+was a shuffling sound from the subterranean retreat and the guttural
+voice of several Huns engaged in excited debate.
+
+"Fifty seconds!" announced Wilmshurst.  "Ten seconds more."
+
+"Do not t'row der pomb; we surrender make!" implored a voice.
+
+"Out you come, then; one at a time," ordered Dudley.
+
+With his revolver ready for instant action should the Huns display any
+signs of treachery the subaltern awaited the appearance of his
+captives, while the Haussas stood by to back up their young officer
+should necessity arise.
+
+The first to appear was the junior lieutenant, looking very scared.
+Finding that nothing occurred to cause him physical hurt he held his
+arms high above his head, at the same time saying something to his
+unseen companions.
+
+Then came Hauptmann von Argerlich, pale-faced under his sun-burnt
+complexion.  He had good cause to feel afraid, for he was by no means
+uncertain that the British possessed a record of his deeds--deeds that
+might be worthy of the German arms, but certainly would not be regarded
+with any degree of favour by nations with any respectable code of
+honour.  Poisoning wells, for example, was quite a favourite and
+pleasant Hun trick when the perpetrators of the outrage were all able
+to place a safe distance between them and their foes; it was quite
+another matter when the officer responsible for the dastardly deeds was
+a prisoner of war.
+
+Three more Germans followed, and then came a full-faced, double-chinned
+Prussian, wearing an order on his cotton drill uniform.  In his hand he
+held a sheathed sword, the scabbard of which had already been
+unfastened from the slings.
+
+"I am Commandant Hendrich von Lindenfelt," he announced as captor and
+captive exchanged salutes.  "I make surrender and claim der treatment
+due to der brisoners of war."
+
+"That'll be all right," rejoined Wilmshurst.  "Please keep your sword
+until the colonel decides--I mean, until you are taken to Colonel
+Quarrier of the Nth Waffs.  Are all the German officers here?"
+
+"Yes," replied von Lindenfelt.  "All except those who killed and
+wounded are."
+
+"I am anxious to find a certain individual known as von Gobendorff,"
+continued the British subaltern.  "Can you give me any information
+concerning him?"
+
+The oberst seemed considerably taken aback.
+
+"I do not know any person so called," he replied after a slight
+hesitation.
+
+"Think again, Herr von Lindenfelt," prompted Wilmshurst.  "The man we
+want is von Gobendorff, otherwise known as Robert MacGregor, and is
+known to have belonged to the forces under your command."
+
+Von Lindenfelt shook his head, this time resolutely and defiantly.
+
+"I do know not," he declared.
+
+It was practically useless to press the question.  There were,
+Wilmshurst argued, other means of finding out.
+
+Setting a guard over the prisoners Dudley sent a file of Haussas to
+explore the dug-out.  In less than a minute the corporal returned.
+
+"Number one big hole, sah," he reported.  "Me no find no one time man
+in no place."
+
+As a result of this somewhat mystifying intelligence Wilmshurst entered
+the dug-out.  Descending a flight of a dozen wooden steps he gained the
+ante-room, a space fifteen feet in length and about seven in breadth.
+It was absolutely proof against the heaviest gun employed in the German
+East campaign, while, as a safeguard against bombs that might be lobbed
+into their retreat, the door of the second room was protected by a wall
+of sandbags backed with massive slabs of African teak.
+
+By the aid of flaming brands held by the blacks Wilmshurst was able to
+make a rapid, but none the less complete examination of the shelter.
+Evidently it was the headquarters dug-out, judging by the smashed
+telephone, the pile of broken instruments, and the heap of paper ash
+that littered the floor.
+
+At the subaltern's order the blacks prodded the walls with their
+bayonets and hammered the floor with the butt ends of their rifles, but
+no suspicion of the existence of a concealed "funk-hole" was to be
+traced.
+
+"Precious little here," commented Wilmshurst.  "I'll have to keep the
+place open for the colonel's inspection, I suppose."
+
+Regaining the open air he posted a sentry over the entrance and,
+collecting the German prisoners, awaited the arrival of the C.O.
+
+By this time all resistance on the summit of M'ganga was over.  Away to
+the north-east came occasional reports of rifle-firing, showing that
+the Pathans and the Rhodesian horse were engaging the fugitives.
+
+The one fly in the ointment was the escape of von Gobendorff.  There
+was, of course, the possibility that he had been shot or had contrived
+to slip away during the action.  In the latter case he had the cordon
+of troops to take into consideration; but knowing the wiliness of the
+man and the fluency with which he spoke English, Dudley began to feel
+rather dubious concerning the Hun's apprehension.
+
+Otherwise the brilliant little affair was highly successful.
+Practically the whole of von Linderfelt's staff had been either killed
+or captured; most of the Germans in the firing-line had shared a
+similar fate, while the surviving Askaris were either captured or had
+escaped in small numbers through the lines of the encircling forces.
+
+Von Lindenfelt had not counted upon the use of light artillery against
+his strong position, but the fire of the mountain batteries, assisted
+by the seaplane's bombs, had proved terribly destructive.  Of the
+4.1-inch guns mounted for the defence not one remained intact, their
+destruction materially helping the Waffs in their frontal attack.  A
+considerable quantity of military stores also fell into the hands of
+the victors, much of the booty being found upon examination to have
+been sent to German East Africa during the last three months.
+
+As a result of the operation a large hostile column operating in the
+neighbourhood of the Rovuma had ceased to exist.  There were other
+roving forces still in the district, and against these the Haussas were
+to operate in conjunction with other detachments.
+
+"It's all right when we catch Fritz sitting," remarked Spofforth.  "The
+trouble is that he strongly objects to be caught.  We'll have to chase
+him from the Rovuma to Kilimanjaro and back before we square up this
+business."
+
+"And, even then, corner him in Cape Town," added Danvers facetiously.
+"I can see myself spending my seventieth birthday on this job."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+THE FUGITIVE
+
+On the evening of the capture of M'ganga a white man, fatigued and
+desperately hungry, stood irresolute upon the banks of the Kiwa River,
+roughly forty miles from the scene of the Waffs' successful operations.
+
+It would have been a difficult matter to recognise in the jaded man the
+once well-set-up individual known in certain quarters as Robert
+MacGregor; nor was there much resemblance between the fugitive and the
+German secret service agent, Ulrich von Gobendorff--yet the man was
+none other than he whom the officers of the Haussa regiment
+particularly wished to lay by the heels.
+
+By a series of hair-breadth escapes von Gobendorff had succeeded in
+making his way past the Pathan infantry picquets.  For twenty minutes
+he had crouched up to his neck in the miasmatic waters of a forest
+pool, with thousands of mosquitoes buzzing round his unprotected head,
+while a patrol of the Rhodesian Light Horse halted within twenty yards
+of his place of concealment.
+
+And now, with a strip of linen tied round his head, a ragged cotton
+shirt, a pair of "shorts" that were hardly any protection from the
+thorny cacti, and a pair of badly-worn "veldt schoen" as the sum total
+of his clothing and footgear von Gobendorff awaited the fall of night
+in the depths of a tropical forest.
+
+His limbs were covered with scratches that were causing him intense
+pain and irritation; his face was swollen under the attacks of
+mosquitoes, until his bloodshot eyes were hardly visible above his
+puffed up cheeks.  Unarmed with the exception of an automatic pistol,
+he was about to brave the dangers of a night 'midst malarial mists and
+wild beasts of an African forest.
+
+As the sun sank von Gobendorff collected a heap of wood and leaves and
+kindled a fire.  For the present he judged that he was practically free
+from pursuit.  In any case he would take the risk of lighting a fire.
+It was not likely that British patrols would be wandering through the
+dense tropical vegetation during the hours of darkness.
+
+Under the wide-spreading branches of a baobab the Hun was able to make
+one fire serve his purpose.  Ordinarily he would have lighted three or
+four at a distance of five or six yards from each other, and thus found
+comparative immunity from the attacks of lions and hippos, but the
+baobab--it reminded him of a certain incident when he was "attached" to
+the Haussas--was able to protect both rear and flank from the voracious
+assaults of any four-footed creatures.
+
+As the fire blazed brightly von Gobendorff consumed his last ration--a
+small cube of highly-concentrated food, which he had in his possession
+on the development of the attack on M'ganga.  Throughout his flight,
+although tormented with the pangs of hunger, he had resolutely refused
+to draw upon his scanty commissariat.  And now it was eaten: for the
+rest of his journey he would have to depend upon his wits to obtain
+food.  Rather grimly he reflected that an automatic .302, although an
+efficient "man-stopper" in a _melee_, was not to be compared with a
+rifle as a means of procuring food.
+
+Although inured to exposure in a tropical country von Gobendorff was
+feeling severely the effect of the sun upon his insufficiently
+protected limbs.  In the rapidly cooling air his blistered skin was
+stretched so tightly that every movement of his neck, arms and legs
+gave him intense pain.  The mosquitoes, owing to the glare of the
+burning wood, had ceased their attacks, but the effect of their
+previous onslaughts was greatly in evidence.
+
+Slowly and carefully lying down on a pile of broad leaves the Hun tried
+to fall asleep, but in vain.  Racked in every limb, his head throbbing
+as if it harboured a rapidly working piston, he endured--waiting for
+the dawn that would give him no respite from his torments.
+
+Presently the denizens of the forest began their nocturnal activities.
+In the sluggishly-flowing river hippopotami floundered noisily.
+Elephants crashed through the brushwood making their way to the water,
+while at intervals rhinoceri and bush-cows charged blindly past the
+fiercely burning fire.  Von Gobendorff was in a big game hunter's
+paradise, but he failed utterly to show enthusiasm at the prospect.
+
+At intervals he crawled to his reserve stock of fuel to replenish the
+fire, knowing that if he allowed the comforting and protecting flame to
+die out he stood an almost certain chance of falling a victim to a
+four-footed foe.  Once a large bush-cow thundered almost through the
+blazing logs, bellowing frantically as a panther with its claws deeply
+dug into the huge brute's hide was remorselessly tearing at the throat
+of its prey.
+
+Monkeys, too, huge simians looking human-like in the dull red glare,
+came shuffling from the shadow of the neighbouring trees to gaze
+fixedly at the unusual sight of a fire.  Muttering, chattering and
+gesticulating they watched the Hun's bivouac for several minutes until
+the sudden spring of a large cat-like animal claimed one victim and
+sent the rest of the monkeys flying for their lives.
+
+With the first streak of dawn the nocturnal Bacchanalia ceased.  Von
+Gobendorff, who had longed for the break of day in order to resume his
+flight to a supposedly safe refuge in the Karewenda Hills, found
+himself unable to resist the sleep of utter exhaustion, and as the last
+faint wreath of pale grey smoke rose from the dying embers he dropped
+into a deep slumber.
+
+He awoke to find the glade bathed in brilliant sunshine.  The sun was
+almost overhead, while he himself was lying in the dense shadow cast by
+the overspreading branches of the baobab.  Through an opening in the
+otherwise dense foliage he could see the river rippling in the dazzling
+light, while partly hauled up the bank and partly resting between the
+reeds was a canoe--a dug-out of about twenty-five feet in length.
+
+"Himmel!" muttered the German.  "This is indeed good fortune."
+
+The means of crossing the broad Kiwa River was at his command.  He had
+made up his mind on the previous evening to risk a horrible death by
+attempting to swim the stream.  He had seen what appeared to be logs
+drifting silently with the eddying current--logs that on the approach
+of danger would reveal themselves in their true characters, for the
+river swarmed with hippopotami.
+
+Von Gobendorff was on the point of issuing from his retreat when the
+sound of voices and the rustling of the brushwood warned him that the
+owners of the canoe were returning.
+
+Listening intently he recognised the dialect as that of the Birwas--a
+native tribe occupying a considerable tract of the hinterland.  He knew
+the language well--he had the Hun's typical capability of acquiring a
+knowledge of foreign tongues.
+
+Presently the blacks came in sight--two lithe and stalwart natives
+armed with primitive bow and spear.  One man carried the hindquarters
+of a gnu, the other had a brace of birds dangling from the haft of his
+spear.
+
+With an effort von Gobendorff pulled himself together and strode boldly
+into the open.
+
+Halting, he signed imperiously to the Birwas to approach.
+
+The blacks obeyed promptly.  Experience had taught them to carry out
+the behests of their German masters with the utmost celerity.  With
+every indication of abasement they approached and awaited the white
+man's orders.
+
+Von Gobendorff pointed to the still warm embers of the fire.
+
+"I am hungry," he said.  "Get me something to eat and drink, and be
+sharp."
+
+While one of the Birwas cut strips of flesh from the gnu and spitted
+them on skewers, the other placed more wood on the fire and coaxed it
+into a blaze.  The grilling operation in progress the fire-tender ran
+to the canoe to return with a couple of small gourds of water, some
+dried berries somewhat resembling coffee beans and a flat cake of
+mealie bread.
+
+Von Gobendorff soon discovered that the natives had been serving in the
+German outpost at G'henge, a position overrun and captured by a Sikh
+battalion about three months previously.  They had, they declared, been
+very well treated by their new masters.
+
+The fugitive smiled grimly, immediately wincing as the movement of the
+facial muscles gave him a thrill of pain.  It was evident, he reasoned,
+that the Birwas had mistaken him for an officer of the British forces.
+
+Hardly able to wait until the meal was prepared von Gobendorff turned
+to and ate with avidity, washing down the food with copious draughts of
+hot and far from palatable beverage.  Having refreshed he ordered the
+blacks to hide all traces of his bivouac and made them carry him to the
+canoe.  He realised how imperative it was that he should cover his
+tracks, and by no means the least important measure was to prevent any
+prints of his veldt schoen being discovered on the moist marshland on
+the river bank.
+
+"Take me to Kossa," ordered von Gobendorff, naming a small military
+post on the Kiwa about thirty miles down the river, and at a point
+where the stream made a semi-circular bend before running in a
+south-westerly direction to join the Rovuma.
+
+For the first time the Birwas demurred.
+
+"There are strong rapids a little distance down stream," declared one.
+"We are not skilled in working a canoe.  Can we not take you across to
+our village, where there are plenty of men who will paddle you to
+Kossa?"
+
+"My word," said von Gobendorff, "is law."
+
+To add greater emphasis to his words he produced his automatic pistol.
+The argument was conclusive.  With every indication of fear the two
+natives pushed off, and seizing the paddles they propelled the unwieldy
+craft down stream.
+
+Compared with his previous mode of travelling the Hun found the journey
+bordering almost upon the luxurious.  He would have preferred a
+cushion, a double helmet and a sun-umbrella with a canopy thrown in,
+but reflecting that he was fortunate in being able to tackle the Kiwa
+without having to resort to swimming, he endured the glare with
+comparative equanimity.
+
+Concerning the perils of the rapids he decided to take his chances.  It
+was just possible that the Birwas had lied, hoping to deter him from
+his purpose.  That they were fairly experienced in the art of canoeing
+was evident by the way in which they skilfully avoided the numerous
+hippopotami, their broad-bladed paddles entering the water without the
+faintest suspicion of a splash.
+
+Whenever, as frequently happened, the canoe passed a native village von
+Gobendorff, no doubt with the loss of a certain amount of prestige,
+took up a position at full length at the bottom of the canoe, strictly
+warning his boatmen that they were to maintain absolute silence as far
+as his presence was concerned.
+
+The canoe had barely passed a small collection of huts when the two
+Birwas began to jabber vociferously, pointing at an object a hundred
+yards ahead.
+
+"Why this noise?" demanded von Gobendorff, who understood the cause of
+the conversation.  "You have passed dozens of 'river-cows' before?"
+
+"This one is awake and furious," replied one of the natives.  "We
+sought to keep to the bank, and the animal has seen us."
+
+The Hun sat up and drew his pistol.  A brief glance on either hand
+showed that there were no signs of escape by running the canoe ashore.
+The banks were here quite twenty feet in height, precipitous and topped
+with dense vegetation.  There was deep water close to land, while in
+mid-stream a mud-bank just showed above the swirling current.
+
+"Go on!" he ordered.
+
+The men plied their paddles vigorously.  Although the
+heavily-constructed canoe was incapable of any great speed, and was
+also undermanned, the commotion of the paddles and the frantic shouts
+of the two blacks made up for the lack of manoeuvring powers.  The
+hippo dived.  The canoe shot past.
+
+Von Gobendorff breathed freely, but he was too premature.  The
+hippopotamus reappeared amidst a smother of foam.  Its wide-open jaws
+closed up on the gunwale of the dug-out.
+
+The canoe listed dangerously.  The Birwas still further endangered its
+stability by standing upright and raining absolutely ineffectual blows
+with their paddles upon the armour-plated head of the amphibian.  The
+air in the vicinity of the heeling craft was thick with spray and
+flying fragments of woodwork.
+
+Raising his pistol von Gobendorff placed the muzzle within an inch of
+the hippo's right eye, and fired two shots in quick succession.  Then,
+without waiting to observe the effect, he put two bullets into the
+animal's left eye.
+
+With a stupendous jerk that dipped the badly shattered gunwale under
+the water the hippo relaxed its grip and disappeared.  Whether mortally
+wounded or not there were no means of ascertaining, but the brute was
+seen no more.
+
+Throwing their paddles into the bottom of the canoe the two natives,
+crouching on the uninjured side to keep the jagged hole above the
+surface, plied their gourds frantically in order to get rid of the
+quantity of water that had poured over the gunwale.  This task having
+been completed von Gobendorff noticed with a certain amount of
+apprehension that the freeboards betwixt the edge of the gaping hole
+and the water was less than four inches.
+
+In the excitement of the encounter the Hun had overlooked the fact that
+already the canoe was within the influence of the rapids.  The Birwas
+had spoken truly--there were cataracts; what was more there was now no
+means of avoiding them.
+
+The banks on either hand were still steep and precipitous, while,
+undermanned, the heavy canoe could not be propelled against the stream,
+the speed of which exceeded five miles per hour and was steadily
+increasing as the rapids drew nearer and nearer.
+
+The thunder of the foaming water could now be heard distinctly, as the
+canoe, held in the inexorable grip of the swirling torrent, swayed
+towards the danger.  The two natives realised their peril.  Their black
+faces were suffused with an ashy grey hue; their eyes were wide open
+with fear.
+
+"Paddle backwards!" ordered von Gobendorff, knowing that to attempt to
+turn the canoe would mean both loss of time and increased chances of
+being immediately swamped.
+
+With every muscle strained to its utmost capacity the Birwas strove
+desperately to back up-stream.  Anxiously von Gobendorff kept his eyes
+fixed upon a mark in the bank.  For a few minutes he watched--then he
+muttered curses under his breath.  The canoe was slowly yet surely
+losing ground.  He was fully aware that, apart from its damaged
+condition, the cumbersome craft stood no possible chance of escape in
+the maelstrom-like eddies of the rapids, unless by sheer good fortune
+combined with the skill of the two natives the canoe could be made to
+avoid the jagged rocks between which the waters of the Kiwa rushed.
+
+Suddenly the German caught sight of a huge teak-tree that, having been
+uprooted, was trailing over the banks.  It was a faint chance, but von
+Gobendorff decided to risk it.
+
+Raising his hand he pointed towards the tree-trunk.  Already the roar
+of the water made it impossible for the Birwas to hear him speak.  The
+men nodded and again began to ply their paddles vigorously, keeping
+close to the border between the main stream and a back-eddy by this
+part of the right bank.
+
+With a quick turn of his broad blade the bowman urged the canoe's bows
+diagonally against the mass of timber.  Caught by the full force of the
+current the dug-out swung round, crashed against the tree and, listing,
+was immediately swamped by the inrush of water.
+
+Von Gobendorff leapt to safety.  With cat-like agility he swarmed up
+the inclined bank.  Here he stood and waited, watching the efforts of
+the two natives to save themselves.
+
+The bowman had succeeded in getting astride the massive log and was
+endeavouring to extricate his companion from the peril that threatened
+him, for the other had been thrown out of the canoe and was pinned
+between the tree and the side of the water-logged craft.
+
+In spite of the Birwa's most strenuous efforts the trapped man was
+unable to extricate himself from the vice-like grip, for edges of the
+jagged hole in the canoe's side were pressing hard against his thigh,
+while the canoe itself, forced against the tree-trunk by the
+swiftly-running current, could not be moved in spite of the combined
+efforts of the two blacks.
+
+A third man would have made all the difference.  The trapped Birwa
+raised his eyes appealingly to the white man, but von Gobendorff
+stirred not so much as a little finger.
+
+The Hun, having no further use for the natives, was merely awaiting the
+catastrophe that would effectually cover his tracks.  Without the need
+of further aid from the Birwas he was now within measurable distance of
+the Karewenda Hills.  Another six hours ought to find him in at least
+the temporary shelter of the German fortified post of Twashi.
+
+With a sardonic expression on his face von Gobendorff waited and
+watched.  For a full five minutes the grim struggle was maintained.
+The trapped Birwa's strength was fast failing.  Already greatly
+exhausted by his strenuous work with the paddle he was rapidly
+collapsing under the strain.
+
+Suddenly he relaxed his grip.  The water-logged canoe dipped, and was
+swept under the tree, taking with it the doomed native, whose last
+despairing cry was drowned in the roar of the rushing river.  For a few
+moments the surviving Birwa remained kneeling on the inclined mass of
+timber, trembling in every limb, then, slowly and with every sign of
+temerity he began to make his way up the trunk to dry land.
+
+Raising his pistol the Hun fired straight at the man's head.  The
+Birwa's arms collapsed, he fell at full length upon the rounded mass of
+timber, and, slipping sideways, toppled inertly into the foaming
+torrent.
+
+"Hamba gachle!" exclaimed von Gobendorff, using a Zulu expression that
+he had picked up in his many and diverse wanderings through South and
+Central Africa.  "Dead men tell no tales, and you were in my way."
+
+Then, recharging the magazine of his automatic pistol, the German
+turned, and, setting his face towards the north-west, strode rapidly
+towards the Karewenda Hills.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+ON THE TRACK
+
+"Mr. Wilmshurst, I shall require you to proceed on special service,"
+said Colonel Quarrier.
+
+"Very good, sir," replied Dudley promptly, and awaited the C.O.'s
+instructions.
+
+It was the evening of the fall of M'ganga.  The prisoners had been
+collected and were about to be sent under escort to Kilwa.  Fully under
+the impression that he was to be detailed for this monotonous but
+necessary duty Wilmshurst had reported himself to his colonel, but to
+his intense satisfaction he soon found that such was not the C.O.'s
+intention.
+
+"Concerning this MacGregor-Gobendorff fellow," continued Colonel
+Quarrier.  "It seems as if he has slipped through our fingers.  We have
+been robbed of much of the satisfaction of capturing the position on
+that account.  The Rhodesian Light Horse patrols are all back and
+report no luck as far as the capture of von Gobendorff is concerned,
+and the same applies to the Indian troops.  From some of the prisoners
+we learnt that the fellow slipped away during the preliminary
+bombardment, and that he was not mounted.  I have arranged with Colonel
+Mopesson, of the Light Horse, for a mounted patrol to be sent in
+pursuit, and since it is desirable for some one to identify the Hun--it
+sounds like counting our chickens before they are hatched, by the
+bye--I propose that you accompany the Rhodesians."
+
+"Yes, sir," replied the subaltern.
+
+"Very good.  You have half an hour to make preparations," resumed the
+C.O.  "Take a batman with you--a man who can ride well.  You will
+rejoin your battalion at Kossa in three days' time, circumstances
+permitting."
+
+Wilmshurst saluted and withdrew to make his brief preparations.  Having
+given Tari Barl instructions to pack his kit the subaltern sent for
+Sergeant Bela Moshi.
+
+"Find me a man who can ride well," he said.
+
+A broad grin overspread the Haussa non-com.'s face.
+
+"No go for look, sah," he replied.  "Me know one time quick.  Good man;
+him ride like de wind."
+
+"Then bring him here," continued Wilmshurst.
+
+"Him here, sah--me, Bela Moshi."
+
+"I didn't know that you could ride," remarked the subaltern dubiously,
+fancying that Bela Moshi in his desire to accompany him was inventing a
+fairy tale concerning his equestrian abilities.
+
+"Me one-time groom in Freetown, sah," declared Bela Moshi.  "Me lib for
+ride any old hoss till him bust."
+
+"I'll try you," announced Wilmshurst.  "If you are wasting my time look
+out for squalls."
+
+At the lines where the horses were picketed the Haussa picked out a
+powerful-looking brute--a "salted" Cape horse which had shown
+considerable temper at previous times.
+
+Vaulting upon the animal Bela Moshi rode it barebacked, urging it at a
+gallop and finishing by taking a formidable obstacle in the shape of a
+cactus-bush.
+
+"How can do, sah?" he asked.
+
+"Good enough," replied Wilmshurst.  "Cut off and pack your kit.  We
+have only ten minutes."
+
+Well within the time specified the Haussa was ready for the trek, his
+kit consisting of a blanket, rifle and ammunition, a haversack and his
+cooking utensils.  In addition he carried his master's water-filter and
+a light waterproof tent weighing together with the socketed poles a
+little over two pounds.
+
+"Good luck, old man!" exclaimed Spofforth, as his brother subaltern
+rode off to join the patrol.  "Kindest regards to MacGregor when you
+meet him.  Tell him how awfully delighted all of us will be to see him."
+
+Wilmshurst's new comrades were all men of the Rhodesian farmer type,
+well set-up, sturdy, independent and resourceful--a band of chums
+voluntarily taken from their homesteads to render them immune from
+invasion by tackling the Hun on his own ground.
+
+All were splendidly mounted on horses inured to the miasmic climate,
+"led" animals carrying their necessary equipment.  Each man knew how to
+take care of himself.  He knew only the elementary principles of drill,
+but was none the less a very tough proposition for a Hun to tackle.
+Skilled in woodcraft and travelling, able to cover great distances with
+the minimum of fatigue, and capable of going on short rations without
+loss of efficiency the Rhodesians were ideal men for the work on hand.
+One and all had a score to wipe off; though few, if any, had fallen in
+with von Gobendorff they deeply resented the Hun's audacity in posing
+as a Rhodesian, while those who were of Scots descent and bore Scottish
+names were highly indignant at the idea of a German adopting the
+honourable and ancient cognomen of MacGregor.
+
+Through the far-flung Pathan outposts they passed and rode into the
+night.  Scores of Askaris, who had thrown away their arms, signified
+their willingness to surrender.  Some were questioned concerning the
+flight of von Gobendorff, their replies confirming the reports of the
+prisoners taken at M'ganga; and the surrendered men were ordered to
+return and give themselves up to the Indian troops, since the main
+objective of the patrol was the pursuit of the spy, von Gobendorff.
+
+That night the patrol bivouacked a short distance from a native kraal,
+the inhabitants of which gave them a warm, demonstrative and noisy
+welcome, at the same time providing them with a goat, plenty of mealies
+and water.  Enquiries elicited the information that a party of
+villagers had seen a white man hurrying through the bush, and
+fortunately had not given any indication of their presence.  According
+to the natives' report the fugitive was making in a north-westerly
+direction.
+
+"He'll have his work cut out to cross the Kiwa," declared the sergeant
+of the patrol.  "The river's pretty full just now and swarms of hippos.
+I doubt whether he'll tackle it at night."
+
+"In that case we'll boot and saddle an hour before sunrise," declared
+Wilmshurst.  "My man, Bela Moshi, will be able to follow the spoor like
+a cat....  Oh, yes, light as many fires as you like.  Von Gobendorff is
+too far away to see the glare."
+
+The night passed quietly.  Although there were wild animals prowling
+round they kept a respectful distance.  Men in pairs took turn in
+keeping watch, their comrades lying wrapped in blankets, with their
+feet towards the fire, each with his loaded rifle by his side.
+
+After a good meal, consisting of roast goat's-flesh, millet bread and
+hot chocolate, the trek was resumed, the Haussa following the spoor
+with the sagacity and skill of a sleuth-hound until it was light enough
+to enable the Rhodesians to follow up the trail.
+
+After a distance of five miles had been covered the patrol halted in
+perplexity, for, seemingly from nowhere another spoor joined that of
+the one they were following.  There were distinct imprints of two men
+walking--one wearing veldt-schoen, the other the heavy marching boot
+supplied to the German colonial units.
+
+The latter was of slightly recent origin, as witnessed by the fact that
+here and there the footprints of the boots had partly obliterated those
+of the veldt-schoen.
+
+"It strikes me we've only just tumbled on the right spoor," declared a
+Rhodesian.  "Of the two I should imagine von Gobendorff was wearing
+military boots.  I suppose you didn't happen to notice what he wore
+while he was attached to the Waffs?"
+
+"Boots and gaiters," replied Wilmshurst.  "But, of course, that was
+some time ago."
+
+"And boots are scarce in this show," rejoined the other tentatively.
+"When a man gets used to wearing a certain pair he's not likely to
+discard them in a hurry.  I'll bet that is von Gobendorff's trail."
+
+"And the other?" asked Dudley.
+
+"A nigger might be wearing veldt-schoen," suggested another Rhodesian.
+"Perhaps he looted them, and in his natural vanity, decided to put them
+on instead of slinging them round his neck.  In my experience I find
+that a native 'boy' will wear veldt-schoen, but he'll draw the line at
+boots."
+
+"In any case," remarked Wilmshurst, "the two spoors lead the same way,
+so we'll carry on."
+
+Half a mile further the tracks separated, the older ones continuing
+straight on, those of the boots breaking away to the left.
+
+After a brief debate the pursuers decided to follow the latter spoor.
+This they followed for another four miles until it vanished on an
+expanse of hard, sun-baked ground.
+
+"We're close to the Kiwa," announced one of the patrol, who had pushed
+on ahead for fifty yards.  "There's a kraal over yonder, and I can see
+the water between the trees."
+
+Into the native village the pursuers rode, to hear a tale of woe from
+the headman.  An armed German had passed through not an hour
+previously.  He had demanded food and native beer; he had made no
+attempt to pay for the articles, and out of sheer mischief had set fire
+to a hut.  Commandeering a canoe he had compelled the natives to ferry
+him across the river, and the four blacks who manned the craft had just
+returned with the news that he had gone into the bush.
+
+"What was the German like?" asked a Rhodesian, who spoke the language
+of the natives with the utmost fluency.
+
+The headman began to give an elaborate and detailed description, but it
+was soon evident that the pursuers were on the wrong track.
+
+"Dash it all!" exclaimed Wilmshurst impetuously.  "We've lost the
+fellow--what's that, Bela Moshi?"
+
+"Go ober dem water one-time quick, sah; den you catch Bosh-bosh as him
+go for run away."
+
+"That's a smart idea," declared Dudley, never backward in giving credit
+for other persons' ideas.
+
+"Quite good," agreed the section commander of the patrol.  "Over we go;
+the horses will have to swim."
+
+Borrowing a couple of canoes the pursuers stepped into the cumbersome
+craft, four men in each had their loaded rifles ready to fire at any
+hippos that might attack the horses; the others, grasping the reins of
+the well-trained animals, guided them across.
+
+The passage of the Kiwa--which was here about one hundred and twenty
+yards in breadth--was performed without mishap, in spite of the fact
+that the current ran at a speed of two knots, for the spot where the
+crossing was effected was two miles below the rapids that had all but
+claimed von Gobendorff as a victim.
+
+Just as the second canoe was running aground one of the natives uttered
+a cry of surprise, and pointed to a water-logged dug-out drifting
+broadside on down stream.  It was a prize well worth having, and
+without waiting to put Wilmshurst and the rest of the passengers ashore
+the blacks paddled out and secured the derelict.
+
+"Golly, sah!" exclaimed the Haussa sergeant.  "Him canoe have one-time
+man alive.  Now him dead as mutton."
+
+Lying on the bottom of the canoe with his head raised above the water
+was a native.  As the rescuing craft ran alongside the man opened his
+eyes.
+
+The call of humanity having a prior claim to the importance of the
+pursuit Wilmshurst and the Rhodesians rendered all the aid in their
+power to revive the badly-wounded man.  Examination showed that he had
+been shot at close range by a small-bore high velocity bullet.  The
+missile had scraped his right ear, and entering at the shoulder had
+emerged just above the third rib.  It was a nasty wound, but with
+ordinary attention it ought not to prove fatal.
+
+Finding that he was being well treated the injured man recovered
+sufficiently to explain what had occurred.  There was no mistaking the
+description of his assailant--also another crime had been added to the
+list against Ulrich von Gobendorff, that of attempted murder.
+
+"So the blighter is making for Twashi," remarked Wilmshurst, consulting
+his field service map.  "That's well up in the Karewenda Hills.  We may
+head him off even yet."
+
+Mounting, the patrol, their energies quickened by the evidence of this
+latest Hunnish atrocity, set off at a gallop across the comparatively
+open country betwixt the Kiwa and the base of the Karewenda Hills.  Woe
+betide von Gobendorff should he be spotted by one of the lynx-eyed
+Rhodesians.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+RESCUED
+
+It was well into the dry season.  As far as the eye could reach lay an
+expanse of sun-baked ground dotted with scrub and parched grass,
+terminating in the rugged outlines of the Karewenda Geberge.  In the
+clear African atmosphere the hills, although a good forty miles
+distant, looked no more than ten or twelve miles away.  With a powerful
+telescope an outpost on the high ground ought to be able to spot the
+khaki-clad horsemen as they spurred across the bush.
+
+The patrol had no immediate intention of following the fugitive's
+spoor.  Their idea was to cut off his retreat by keeping on a parallel
+route until they had out-distanced him, and then, by extending to the
+right, to achieve their object.  It was a game of hide-and-seek on a
+large scale--a contest of wits.  Around the spot where the Hun was
+supposed to be an extended cordon was being formed.  It was up to him
+to break through--if he could, but once detected he stood little chance
+against a well-mounted patrol composed of some of the crack shots of
+Rhodesia.
+
+"We've cut across his spoor," announced one of the men.  "Jones has
+just semaphored through.  We've nabbed him this time."
+
+The order was passed from man to man for the investing horsemen to
+contract the enfolding circle.  Each man, his rifle ready for instant
+use, trotted towards an imaginary centre, the while keeping his eyes on
+the alert for signs of the fugitive.
+
+Then, without warning, a column of smoke, beaten down by the strong
+northerly wind, rose from the scrub at a point a good two miles off.
+In a very short space of time the cloud increased in density of volume,
+moving with the rapidity of a trotting horse.
+
+At the signal the patrol closed.  The situation was serious, for not
+only were the chances of a successful pursuit knocked on the head, but
+there was the danger of the men being overtaken by the flames.
+
+"Start another fire down wind," suggested one of the Rhodesians.
+
+"The horses won't stand it," objected another.  "They're getting jumpy
+already."
+
+The man spoke truly.  The animals, scenting danger, were becoming
+restless.  The order was therefore given to mount, and the patrol
+galloped back in the direction of the Kiwa River, never drawing rein
+until they reached a ford two miles below the spot where they had
+crossed earlier in the day.
+
+So swift was the advance of the bush-fire that the scrub on the
+furthermost bank was ablaze within twenty minutes of the time when the
+patrol recrossed the river, while right and left for miles the ground
+was covered with fiercely roaring flames.  Clouds of black and brownish
+smoke swept across the stream, red hot embers mingling with the eddying
+vapour.
+
+The patrol held their ground, keeping their horses under control by
+adopting the expedient of covering the horses' heads with blankets.
+With the possibility of the bush on their side of the river taking fire
+this was the safest course to pursue short of a forty mile ride across
+difficult country with the devouring element hard at their heels.
+
+Mingled with the roar of the flames came the frequent crashes of
+falling trees, and the hiss of blazing embers as they fell into the
+water.  The heat was terrific, while at times the smoke was so dense
+and suffocating that the men had the greatest difficulty to breathe.
+Elephants, bush-cows, rhinoceri and swarms of smaller animals,
+stampeded by the flames, plunged panic-stricken into the river, taking
+no notice of the men as they dashed past them.
+
+For two hours the ordeal lasted, then, having consumed everything of a
+combustible nature the fire burnt itself out.  Almost miraculously the
+flames had failed to gain a hold upon the scrub on the nearmost bank.
+The river had formed the furthermost limit, but across the stream as
+far as the eye could reach there was nothing to be seen but an expanse
+of blackened thorn-bushes, from which a faint bluish vapour rose in the
+now still and sultry air.
+
+"Nothing more doing to-day, boys," declared the leader of the patrol.
+"We'll bivouac close to the village and try our luck to-morrow.  Ground
+will be cool enough by then, I reckon."
+
+"Von Gobendorff won't stand much chance in that," remarked another,
+indicating the devastated ground.  "We may find his remains.  That'll
+be some satisfaction."
+
+"Unless he started the fire," added Wilmshurst.
+
+"But we were surrounding his hiding-place," declared the first speaker.
+
+"We believe we were," continued the subaltern.  "It's just likely that
+we missed his spoor, and that he was to windward of us.  The fire may
+have started spontaneously, but it's my belief that von Gobendorff
+fired the grass."
+
+At daybreak on the following morning the patrol recrossed the river.
+With a heavy dew still upon the ground the devastated track gave the
+horses no inconvenience, although the air was heavy with the pungent
+smell of charred wood.  In extended order they followed the track which
+the fugitive had been reported to have taken until they arrived at the
+further-most limit of the fire.
+
+Each man as he closed in the centre made the same report--nothing had
+been seen of the body of the much-sought-after Hun.
+
+"We've drawn a blank, it seems," remarked Wilmshurst.  "There's nothing
+for it but to carry on until either we overtake him or come in touch
+with the enemy patrols.  We've a clear twenty-four hours before we
+rejoin our regiment."
+
+Mile after mile the patrol rode, but not the faintest trace of von
+Gobendorff's line of flight was to be seen.  Whether he was alive or
+dead was a mystery yet unsolved.
+
+Towards midday they arrived at a kraal situated in a vast semi-circular
+expanse of open ground bounded on three sides by scarps of the
+Karewenda Hills.  The greatest caution was now necessary, the task of
+the patrol, failing von Gobendorff's capture, being to find out whether
+the lower slopes of the hill were held in force or only lightly so.  If
+possible there was to be an avoidance of an exchange of shots with
+hostile outposts, but in any case the Rhodesians were to withdraw at
+the first sign of opposition.
+
+The headman of the kraal, like most of his kind, was very
+communicative.  Already the natives were appreciating the change of
+masters, for under German rule their lot was a hard one, forced labour
+and scanty or often no remuneration being the order of things.
+
+He had seen no one answering to von Gobendorff's description, but he
+gave other information.  The Germans were withdrawing their forces to a
+position on the northern slopes of the hills, and had already destroyed
+two guns which they were unable to remove from an abandoned redoubt
+about five miles to the east of the kraal.  He also said that a German
+patrol escorting a white prisoner had passed along a native path at
+less than a mile of the village only an hour or so previously.
+
+Questioned further the headman replied that the prisoner was not a
+"warrior"--meaning that he was not dressed in military uniform--and
+that for several months past he had been kept in captivity in the now
+abandoned fort.  Several of the villagers had seen him when they went
+to dig earthworks for the Huns.  In their hurried retirement the
+Germans had overlooked the fact that they had a prisoner, and the
+patrol had been sent back to bring him in.
+
+"How many men?" asked Wilmshurst, one of the Rhodesians translating the
+question and its reply.
+
+"Four white soldiers and ten Askaris, O chief," replied the headman.
+
+"Good enough," exclaimed Wilmshurst.  "We ought to be able to settle
+that crowd and release the prisoner."
+
+The headman willingly allowed two natives to point out to the patrol
+the path which the Huns had taken.  A reference to the map showed that,
+allowing the hostile patrol two hours' start, an ambush could be
+arranged at a spot four miles distant where the path crossed a spruit.
+It was unpleasantly close to one of the still occupied enemy outposts,
+but with quickness and decision the coup ought to be accomplished
+without much difficulty.
+
+The native guides, although on foot, had no trouble to keep up with the
+mounted men, and when the latter arrived at the place chosen for the
+surprise they found that the Germans were not yet in sight.
+
+Dismounted and accompanied by Bela Moshi Wilmshurst made his way along
+the side of the track until he came in touch with the hostile party.
+The Huns, suspecting nothing, were resting.  Two Askaris had been
+posted as sentries, but they, too, were lax, little thinking that there
+was any danger of a surprise.  The prisoner was seated at the base of a
+large tree, another Askari mounting guard over him.  His back was
+turned in Wilmshurst's direction, but the subaltern was able to discern
+that the unfortunate man was practically bald-headed and wore a thick,
+straggling beard.
+
+Up to that moment Dudley had been buoyed up by the hope that the
+prisoner might be his brother Rupert, but at the sight of the bent and
+aged figure his anticipations were shattered.
+
+"We'll have him out of their clutches, at all events," he soliloquised
+as he cautiously signed to Bela Moshi to withdraw.
+
+Regaining the patrol Wilmshurst explained how matters stood, and a
+decision was quickly formed to attack immediately, taking advantage of
+the lax state of the hostile party, without waiting for them to
+approach the previously selected spot for the ambush.
+
+Dismounting and leaving their trained horses under the charge of a
+piquet the men cautiously made their way through the scrub until they
+were within eighty yards of the still unsuspecting Huns.
+
+Extending the Rhodesians took up their desired position on a
+semi-circular formation, enabling each one to fire should necessity
+arise without the risk of hitting one of his own party, at the same
+time making it almost a matter of impossibility for the ambushed Huns
+to break away without being shot down.
+
+A whistle sounded.  Up sprang the curved line of khaki-clad troopers,
+each man covering one of the enemy with his rifle, while a stern order
+to surrender immediately was given to the completely astonished Germans.
+
+The Askaris obeyed the command without demur, but the Germans were made
+of stiffer material.  Throwing themselves at full length they grasped
+their rifles.
+
+It was a signal for the Rhodesians to open fire--and the Huns paid the
+penalty.  In less than a minute the action was over.  The Askaris were
+unarmed and ordered to take themselves off, their rifles having been
+broken and the bolts removed.
+
+Wilmshurst hastened to the prisoner, who at the opening fire had rolled
+on the ground by the side of a fallen tree.  The subaltern found him
+lying face downwards, unable to rise, his wrists and ankles being
+secured by thongs of raw hide.
+
+With a couple of strokes of his knife Dudley severed the bonds and
+assisted the released captive to his feet, for the man was so exhausted
+that he was incapable of standing unsupported.
+
+"You're all right now," said the subaltern reassuringly.  "Can you sit
+in a saddle for----"
+
+"Good heavens!--Dudley!" exclaimed the gaunt and haggard prisoner.
+
+It was Wilmshurst's turn to be dumfounded.  He stepped back a pace and
+looked the rescued man intently in the face.  Was it possible that this
+human wreck was his once well-set-up and powerfully-built brother?
+
+"Rupert!" he exclaimed dubiously.
+
+"That's me," rejoined the other.  "Rather, what's left of me."
+
+"Found an old pal?" enquired the patrol-commander, as the Rhodesians
+crowded round the object of their recent operations.
+
+"My brother," replied Dudley.
+
+"Good business," was the hearty rejoinder.  "But we must be moving.
+We've alarmed every enemy post within five miles of us."
+
+The patrol hurried back to the spot where they had left their horses,
+Bela Moshi settling the question of how the physically weakened Rupert
+Wilmshurst was to be moved by lifting him in his strong arms.
+
+"Nothing ob him, sah," confided the Haussa.  "Him weight of one-time
+porter load."
+
+It was an exaggeration of speech on the Haussa's part, for the nominal
+burden of a Coast porter is roughly sixty pounds, but Rupert's weight
+had decreased from a normal "twelve seven" to a little over seven
+stones.
+
+With the utmost dispatch the patrol remounted.  Bela Moshi gave up his
+steed to "Massa Wimst's brudder" and rode one of the led horses.  In
+single file the men retraced their course, maintaining a steady trot.
+
+As they entered the kraal where the headman had given them such
+important information they found the natives in a state of agitated
+turmoil.  The Huns had by some means discovered that these "black
+subjects of his Imperial Majesty the German Emperor" had entertained a
+hostile patrol, for within twenty minutes of the departure of
+Wilmshurst and his companions a party of Askaris, commanded by a German
+officer, had visited the village.  By way of punishment half a dozen
+huts had been burnt and an indemnity of fifty goats and a hundred
+litres of corn demanded, the headman and five other principal
+inhabitants being seized as hostages.
+
+So great was the faith of the blacks in the "white soldiers of King
+George" that they rose _en masse_, liberated the hostages and drove the
+Askaris from their village.  But the trouble was far from over, for
+native scouts reported a concentration of German troops on the
+south-eastern side of the village, while other Askari battalions were
+debouching from the north-east, having been hurriedly sent from one of
+the fortified posts on the Karewenda Hills.
+
+"And so our line of retreat is cut," remarked Dudley.  "Very well;
+we'll have to fight to a finish."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+'GAINST HEAVY ODDS
+
+The Rhodesians were men of few words.  They were men of action; of the
+same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against
+thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the
+last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears
+of Lobengula's warriors.
+
+The enemies that were threatening them were of a worse type.  The
+Askaris, naturally ferocious, were under German command, and the
+German, whenever he is confident that he is on the winning side,
+exhibited all the brutality and cruelty of his Hunnish ancestors.
+Attila was a scourge; his modern descendants are simply imitators who,
+having the thin veneer of civilisation, combine science with bestial
+brutality in their methods of waging war.
+
+Two of the troopers who were acquainted with the native dialect
+proceeded to place the village under a rough form of organisation.  In
+spite of the severe restrictions laid upon the natives by their German
+taskmasters--amongst others they were not allowed to carry arms--the
+blacks managed to produce long-secreted numbers of spears, bows and
+arrows and a few antiquated smooth-bore muskets.
+
+Men were sent into the bush to cut down thorns and sharpened stakes.
+These were set up in front of the existing stockade, the inner side of
+which was still further strengthened by earth thrown up from a trench
+three feet from its base.  "Panjies" or sharpened bamboos were set
+obliquely from the foot of the stockade, on the outside, to check a
+rush at close quarters; the stockade itself, forming no protection
+against modern rifle-fire, was to be used merely as an obstacle, the
+defenders seeking cover in the ditch and behind the embankment formed
+from the excavated material.
+
+Hardly were these preparations completed when the shrill notes of a
+bugle rang out, and a mounted officer, followed by a native orderly
+bearing a white flag, appeared from the cover afforded by the bush.
+
+Evidently the Huns had more faith in the Briton's respect for the flag
+of truce than they had regard for that emblem in the hands of their
+foes, for after a brief pause the officer, finding that his appearance
+was not greeted with a volley of rifle-bullets, trotted boldly towards
+the closed gate of the stockade.
+
+"Halt!" ordered the Rhodesian officer, when the German drew within
+audible distance.  "Deliver your message."
+
+The German, standing in his stirrups, shouted a demand for the instant
+surrender of the garrison, promising honourable treatment if the terms
+were complied with, and stating that the investing troops were fully
+aware of the weak numbers of the British patrol.
+
+"You might have spared yourself the trouble, Herr Offizier," replied
+the patrol commander.  "We mean to stick it."
+
+"Vat you mean by 'stick it'?" demanded the envoy.
+
+"To fight it out," was the grim reply.  "Come on; we're ready."
+
+The German made no further remark to the Rhodesian, but began an
+harangue in the native dialect, inciting the blacks to turn against
+their white allies, promising immunity and rewards.
+
+"Stop that!" shouted the patrol commander sternly, raising his voice
+above the angry murmur of the villagers.  "Another word and the flag of
+truce will not protect you."
+
+The Hun scowled sardonically, and out of sheer bravado resumed his
+incitement to the natives to surrender.
+
+Picking up a rifle the Rhodesian took careful aim at the horse's chest
+at point-blank range.  The weapon barked.  For a moment neither horse
+nor rider stirred, then without warning the animal's forelegs
+collapsed, throwing the Hun headlong in the dust.
+
+The terrified orderly wheeled, and casting aside the white flag, rode
+at full gallop to the shelter of the bush, his hasty and undignified
+retreat being carried out without let or hindrance on the part of the
+defenders of the kraal.
+
+The German officer lay where he fell, the dead steed pinning him down
+as it lay on its side with its hind, off-side leg rigidly extended at
+an oblique angle to the ground.  Partly stunned by his fall the officer
+tried ineffectually to rise; then after a while he relaxed and lay
+motionless in the broiling sun with swarms of mosquitoes buzzing round
+the prostrate horse and rider.
+
+Apart from the advantage of having a prisoner in their possession the
+call of humanity urged the defenders to release and bring in the
+injured Hun.  The barricaded gate was thrown open, and two troopers ran
+to effect the work of mercy.  Even as they bent over the prostrate
+officer and dragged aside the animal's carcass a ragged fire burst from
+the bush at a distance of five hundred yards.  Bullets ricochetted from
+the dusty ground or whizzed unpleasantly close to the men's ears; but
+coolly they proceeded with their task, and, unscathed, regained the
+shelter of the stockade, bearing their prisoner between them.
+
+"It's von Bohme, second-in-command of the Kelji Post," declared Rupert
+Wilmshurst.  He was too chivalrous to relate the indignities and
+hardships he had suffered at the hands of this Hun in particular.
+"They abandoned the post yesterday.  Unless I'm mistaken they've a
+couple of machine guns with them."
+
+"Any field guns?" asked Dudley anxiously.
+
+"Not to my knowledge," replied his brother.
+
+"Thank heaven for that!" rejoined the subaltern fervently.  "Well, how
+do you feel?"
+
+"Able to use a rifle," answered Rupert grimly.
+
+A heavy hostile fire was being maintained from three sides, the bullets
+either flying high--one of the characteristic faults of African native
+troops--or else knocking splinters from the timbers forming the
+palisade.  The defenders, lying close, made no attempt to reply, for
+the attackers were adept at taking cover and offered no target to the
+former's fire.  Presently, as Rupert Wilmshurst had predicted, came the
+rat-tat-tat of a machine gun, and a swathe of bullets traversed the
+open ground in front of the defences, rising until the hail of nickel
+simply cut a gap in the palisade like a scythe against the ripe corn.
+
+Between the huts some villagers engaged in driving their goats to a
+more secure spot came under the machine-gun fire, two men being killed
+and four wounded, the herd suffering severely; but these were the only
+casualties, the defenders, both white and black, keeping admirable
+cover.
+
+For a quarter of an hour the one-sided action was maintained, then
+still under the covering fire of the machine gun a battalion of Askaris
+advanced at the double in company formation _en echelon_.
+Simultaneously a half-battalion debouched on the opposite side of the
+kraal.
+
+Until the stormers came within four hundred yards their advance was
+covered by the machine guns (for another had joined in the fray), and
+consequently the scanty defenders dare not risk exposure; but the
+moment the covering fire had to cease lest it should cause casualties
+amongst the advancing troops the Rhodesians opened rapid fire at almost
+point blank range.
+
+The front attack stopped dead, the Askaris in open order falling in
+heaps before the accurate fire of the trained Rhodesians.  Despite the
+efforts of their officers to advance the native troops refused to
+stand.  Bolting they were followed by galling volleys until the
+resumption of the deadly machine-fire compelled the defenders to take
+cover.
+
+The rear attack was a more formidable affair, in spite of the fact that
+the enemy force was considerably smaller than that of the frontal
+assault.  Met by fewer rifles, for only a mere handful of white men
+could be told off on that side of the kraal, the Askaris contrived to
+reach the palisade.  It was here that the native auxiliaries proved
+their worth, for with stones, arrows and throwing spears they put up
+such a formidable defence that at close quarters these primitive
+weapons held their own against the rifles and bayonets of the German
+black troops.
+
+For several moments the contest swayed with varying success until more
+Rhodesians, who could now be spared from the front on which the main
+assault had been repulsed, doubled up and made such good use of their
+rifles that the enemy broke and fled, leaving behind forty or fifty of
+their number lying dead in front of the stockade.
+
+"Guess they've had enough," remarked Rupert Wilmshurst, who
+notwithstanding his weak state had played a strong part in the defence.
+
+"Doubt it," replied his brother.  "Perhaps they won't make another
+frontal attack while daylight lasts, but when it's dark they'll try
+their luck."
+
+The hours passed slowly.  Occasional bursts of machine-gun fire
+punctuated the continuous rifle-firing from the men concealed in the
+bush.  It was a prodigious waste of ammunition without any good result,
+for the white men were too hardened to be shaken by the moral effect of
+bullets whizzing overhead, while the native warriors, taking the
+pattern set by their allies, showed no signs of fear or panic.
+
+"If we only had a machine-gun," thought Dudley.  "By Jove, I've a mind
+to have a shot at bringing in one of those brutes after dark."
+
+He broached the matter to the patrol commander, who gave permission to
+any of his men to volunteer for the hazardous enterprise.  There was no
+lack of aspirants, for practically every man expressed his wish to take
+part in the sortie.  Finally the subaltern chose three Rhodesians and
+his Haussa sergeant.
+
+Taking a compass bearing of the position of one of the machine-guns,
+for the cloud of steam arising from its overheated water-jacket
+disclosed its place of concealment, Wilmshurst made a careful note of
+the fact for subsequent use.  There was, of course, the possibility of
+the machine-gun being moved as soon as night fell, but that was a risk
+that the sallying party must be prepared to chance.
+
+Darkness came, but the desultory hostile fire was still maintained, the
+bush being pin-pricked with the vivid flashes from the rifles.  It was
+now a nerve-racking ordeal, for more than once the defenders issued
+from their trench and manned the outer palisade under the erroneous
+impression that another attack was developing.
+
+"It's a jolly good thing for us that they haven't any bombs," remarked
+the patrol-commander.  "I don't fancy our blacks would stand up to
+them.  By Jove! the villagers have shown any amount of pluck."
+
+"They know that if the kraal's taken, their lives won't be worth a
+brass farthing," rejoined one of the men.
+
+"Don't know so much about that," added another.  "They had a chance to
+let us down and save their hides, but they weren't having any."
+
+A meteor-like trail of reddish light whizzing through the air
+interrupted the argument.  Anxiously the defenders watched the course
+of the missile, guessing but not knowing exactly what it was, until
+with a crash it alighted upon the palm thatched roof of a hut about in
+the centre of the kraal.
+
+Several men rushed to the spot, regardless of the flying bullets, with
+the intent on of tearing away the smouldering missile, but before they
+could reach the hut the dull red glow gave place to a vivid bluish
+flame.  The mobile weapon was an incendiary rocket.
+
+In a minute the hut was a mass of flames, the sparks communicating the
+fire to the flimsily-constructed buildings adjoining it.
+
+Strenuously the defenders, both white and black, sought to confine the
+devouring element to certain limits by pulling down the huts in the
+vicinity, but other incendiary rockets followed in rapid succession,
+while the fire of the machine-guns redoubled in violence.
+
+The fire-fighters made excellent targets in the fierce light, their
+forms being silhouetted against the blazing huts, yet their losses were
+comparatively few, for the machine guns were badly laid.  Nevertheless,
+before the men could take cover two Rhodesians were badly wounded, a
+dozen villagers killed and thirty odd seriously injured.
+
+In the midst of this turmoil Dudley, whose attention was centred upon
+the enemy, detected a large body of men deploying from the bush.
+Simultaneously other formidable detachments advanced upon the kraal on
+all sides, showing up distinctly in the terrific glare of the burning
+huts.  To add to the horror of the scene native women and children were
+shrieking in terror, and the horses and cattle were neighing and
+bellowing as they instinctively realised the peril that threatened them
+from the rapidly spreading flames.
+
+But for the presence of their black allies the troopers would have
+mounted and ridden straight at their assailants, running a good chance
+of cutting their way out by weight of numbers and the speed of their
+horses; but no thought of abandoning the natives to their fate entered
+the heads of their allies.  It would be a fight to a finish.
+
+Leaving the conflagration to take its course every available man
+hastened to the palisade.  Rapid independent fire delayed but failed to
+check the charge of ferocious, wildly shouting Askaris, whose courage
+had been worked up by promises of rewards if successful, and dire
+punishment in the event of failure.  Full in the blaze of light the
+horde of black faces gave the defenders the impression that they were
+confronting a swarm of demons.
+
+On both sides rifles cracked, steel crossed steel.  Again spears and
+arrows came into play, while some of the defenders hurled blazing
+faggots with great effect upon the German levies.  Yells, shouts and
+shrieks of pain mingled with the rattle of musketry and the roar of the
+burning huts.
+
+Both sides fought stubbornly and furiously, but with this difference:
+the defenders of the kraal were staking their existence upon the
+result, the attackers, although under severe penalties in the event of
+failure, were not confronted with the supreme decision that awaited
+their foes.
+
+Taking a favourable opportunity Wilmshurst and his squad climbed over
+the palisade at a point where no attack was being made, and dropping to
+the ground doubled in the direction of the now silent machine gun.  It
+was a daring stroke, as it temporarily weakened the little garrison,
+where every rifle counted; but in the event of the raid proving
+successful the possession of the deadly weapon would make all the
+difference between victory and defeat.
+
+Overtaking and avoiding numbers of wounded Askaris and a fair
+sprinkling of Germans painfully making their way back to their lines
+the raiders covered the intervening eight hundred yards in double time.
+At the edge of the scrub the subaltern halted his men in order that
+they might recover their breath.
+
+They had discarded their rifles.  Dudley and the Rhodesians were armed
+with revolvers, Bela Moshi carrying an automatic pistol, formerly the
+possession of a now defunct Hun, and a long, heavy, keen-edged knife
+resembling the Mexican machete.  Each man knew exactly what was
+required of him, and, what was more, he was capable of carrying it out.
+
+Creeping through the bush and outwitting a couple of Askari sentries
+posted on the right front of the machine gun position the raiders came
+in sight of their coveted prize.
+
+The gun team was standing easy chattering furiously, and paying scant
+attention to the progress of their comrades in the assault.  Bela Moshi
+afterwards declared that they were squabbling over the possession of a
+small keg of rum, which was to them a far more important business than
+the attack upon the kraal.  Their European non-commissioned officer was
+absent, otherwise the laxity of discipline would not have been taking
+place.
+
+Apparently there were no infantry reserves.  If there were, they were
+posted at a considerable distance from the machine gun position.  It
+was, therefore, expedient to make a surprise attack with fire-arms,
+since the noise was immaterial as far as alarming the supports, and
+very efficacious in throwing the machine gunners into a state of
+demoralization.
+
+Of the six Askaris forming the detachment five dropped at the first
+volley; the sixth, after first rolling on the ground, sprang into the
+bush, followed by a couple of shots the effect of which was not known.
+
+Smartly Bela Moshi picked up the gun and tripod; a Rhodesian corporal
+and a trooper seized the box containing the ammunition.  Then, preceded
+by a sergeant and followed by Wilmshurst and the remaining man, the
+raiders bore off their trophy.
+
+Followed by the ineffectual fire of the two sentries the squad doubled.
+By the sounds in the rear it was evident that the alarm had been
+communicated to the reserves, as the hurried patter of bare feet and
+the excited orders of the German section commanders announced that the
+men were aware of the loss of the machine gun.  Musketry fire was
+opened upon the retiring raiders, but in the darkness the shots whizzed
+harmlessly overhead.
+
+The haphazard fire was, however, taking toll amongst the attackers who,
+already casualties, were crawling or walking back from the palisade.  A
+German officer, hit in the left arm, blundered right upon the captured
+weapon and its escort.  For the moment he was puzzled, knowing that
+orders had been issued for the machine-gun party to remain in their
+original position.  Then, distinguishing the British uniform, he drew a
+pistol and shouted to the party to surrender.
+
+"Surrender yourself!" exclaimed the Rhodesian sergeant, raising his
+revolver.
+
+The Hun's reply was a shot that nicked the lobe of the non-com.'s right
+ear.  Almost immediately the latter returned the compliment, shooting
+the German dead on the spot.
+
+"Sorry," muttered the Rhodesian apologetically, for he had respect for
+a brave foe.  "You asked for it, Fritz."
+
+The next instant Beta Moshi stumbled, the subaltern only just
+contriving to avoid tripping over his prostrate body.  Thinking that
+the Haussa sergeant was hit one of the covering party began to raise
+the machine-gun from the ground, but the Haussa was holding it tightly
+in his arms.
+
+Almost overthrowing the Rhodesian Bela Moshi regained his feet, swung
+the trophy over his shoulder and resumed his pace.
+
+The returning party were only just in time.  Already a formidable
+number of Askaris had broken through the stubbornly-defended palisade,
+and by sheer weight were forcing their opponents back.
+
+Faced by hordes of German levies and with the line of burning huts
+preventing further retirement the defenders of the kraal were in a very
+tight corner indeed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+WATER!
+
+In double quick time Wilmshurst's party hurried over the stockade at
+the same place where they had clambered out a short time previously.
+
+Setting the tripod of the captured gun upon the raised bank at the rear
+of the palisade the Rhodesians fitted a belt of ammunition and promptly
+opened fire.  Enfilading the attackers the effect of the totally
+unexpected hail of bullets was stupendous.  The dense masses of Askaris
+simply melted.  Only those nearest to the garrison escaped the
+machine-gun fire, since it was impossible to traverse further to the
+right without hitting friend as well as foe.  Before the first belt of
+ammunition had been expended most of the men who had gained a footing
+in the village were _hors de combat_.
+
+The assault was by no means over.  Strong reserves were thrown into the
+breach, taking advantage of the lull in the firing.  Working coolly and
+rapidly the machine-gunners fitted a new belt, but the difficulty now
+arose that the weapon could not be trained over the palisade, which,
+owing to its irregular form, screened the massed assailants.
+
+Lifting the weapon and resting it upon the top of the stockade Bela
+Moshi shouted to the corporal to jump on his shoulders.  In this
+difficult position the machine-gun reopened fire, but before
+twenty-five rounds had been fired the weapon jammed.
+
+The gun was served by three men only--the Rhodesian sergeant and
+corporal and Bela Moshi.  The rest of the party, including Wilmshurst,
+had hurried off to reinforce the sorely-tried men engaged hand to hand
+with the Askaris in the breach.  Of the three only the corporal knew
+much about the internal mechanism of a German machine-gun, and in the
+ruddy, flickering light his task was greatly complicated.
+
+Again the weapon was hoisted on the Haussa's broad shoulders.  This
+time the mechanism acted without a hitch.  The Askaris broke and fled,
+leaving a third of their number on the ground, while those who had
+gained a footing within the kraal lost heart and threw down their arms.
+
+Nevertheless the danger was by no means over.  At two other points the
+kraal had been entered, the defenders being forced back until
+two-thirds of the village was in the hands of the foe.  The
+fiercely-burning huts now formed an effectual defence, the survivors of
+the garrison having concentrated in a space in the form of a segment of
+a circle, a portion of the palisade comprising the arc and the line of
+flaming huts the chord.  For the present the barrage of fire was
+impassable, but what would happen when the conflagration burnt itself
+out remained a matter for anxious speculation.
+
+Rhodesians and blacks worked together to dig a trench and construct a
+parapet.  It was a strenuous task, for in order to give as much space
+as possible to the already congested defenders the new defence work had
+been pushed as far forward as the strength of the flames permitted.
+The while desultory long-distance firing was indulged in by the
+discomfited foe, the bullets pinging against the hard ground or flying
+with a sharp "siss" overhead.
+
+While this work was in progress the corporal hurried up and addressed
+Wilmshurst.
+
+"Your nigger sergeant's hit, sir," he reported.
+
+The subaltern made his way to the spot where the machine-gun had been
+placed out of the line of hostile fire, since a single bullet might put
+it out of action.  Lying upon the ground with his head propped against
+the ammunition box was Bela Moshi.
+
+The Haussa was barely conscious.  He recognised his young officer and
+gave a determined but ineffective attempt to smile.  Already one of the
+men had cut away Bela Moshi's tunic, revealing a bullet wound on the
+right side of the chest.  Even as Dudley placed his water-bottle to the
+sergeant's lips the Haussa's eyes closed and he lost consciousness.
+
+"What do you make of it?" asked Dudley, addressing the man attending to
+the patient.
+
+"He's as like to snuff it, sir," he replied.  "Can't tell exactly--and
+it's a tough job to tackle with only a field-service dressing."
+
+"When was he hit?" continued the subaltern.
+
+"That's a mystery, sir," was the answer.  "We'd brought the gun under
+cover--there wasn't a chance of being hit by direct fire, you'll
+understand--and the black seemed to crumple up suddenly.  Never said a
+word, but just pitched on his face.  I'll do my level best for him,
+sir."
+
+Leaving his water-bottle--and water was a scarce commodity, as the
+supply within the kraal had been overrun by the fire--Dudley made his
+way to the gap in the palisade, where other units were hard at work
+digging a ditch across the exposed opening.  Here he came face to face
+with his brother, whose left arm was bandaged and in a sling.
+
+"Copped it, you see, Dudley," remarked Rupert.  "If there's any trouble
+knocking about I'm bound to stand in.  But I guess I did my whack
+before I was knocked out," he added grimly.  "Managed to work off sixty
+rounds, and when we started I found myself wondering if I had the
+strength to pick up a rifle."
+
+"What have you got?" asked his brother.
+
+"Bayonet thrust," was the reply.  "We were jammed up anyhow, but the
+fellow who gave it me won't try the trick on any one else.  Have you
+any water?"
+
+Dudley shook his head.
+
+"Sorry," he replied.
+
+"Seems a scarcity of it," continued Rupert.  "All the men's
+water-bottles are bone-dry, and it's hot work tackling a kraal fire.
+The niggers, too, are clamouring for water."
+
+"The fire's burning itself out, I fancy," remarked Dudley.  "Before
+dawn we ought to be able to get to the well.  Now I must do my whack."
+
+Taking a spade of native workmanship from the hands of an exhausted
+trooper the subaltern set to work with a will, for much had to be done
+in a very short space of time.  It was a case of excavating under
+extreme difficulties, for apart from the smoke and heat from the
+blazing huts bullets were dropping frequently and at random upon that
+part of the kraal still held by the hard-pressed but as yet
+unconquerable garrison.
+
+Throughout the rest of the night the enemy made no attempt to renew the
+assault.  With the dawn the worst of the task of shortening the line
+was accomplished, and the jaded men threw themselves down to rest,
+until every available position immune from rifle fire was covered with
+khaki and black figures sleeping the sleep of utter exhaustion.
+
+There was little rest for Dudley Wilmshurst and the patrol-commander.
+Having visited the sentries they examined the defences in order to
+discover if there were any weak points that had escaped notice during
+the hours of darkness.
+
+With the exception of half a dozen huts every building comprising the
+kraal was reduced to a heap of charred wood and ashes, from which smoke
+was rising sullenly in the still air.  The stockade adjoining had
+shared the same fate, and had it not been for the earthworks
+constructed during the night the rear of the defences would have been
+completely open to direct rifle fire.  At present the heat of the
+smouldering embers was too great to allow any attempt to procure water
+from the well that was situated almost in the centre of the kraal,
+close to the site of the headman's hut.
+
+The captured machine gun was still under cover, ready to be rushed to
+any point where an attack might develop, but the trouble that
+confronted the team was the fact that the water in the jacket had
+evaporated and no more was at present procurable.  The supply of rifle
+ammunition, too, was running perilously short.  In view of the
+liability of the machine gun to jam after a few rounds, Wilmshurst
+would have had no hesitation in using the cartridges from the belt had
+the gun been a Maxim.  But here he was beaten, for the difference in
+British and German small-arms ammunition makes an interchange
+impossible.
+
+The next best thing was to arrange existing stocks, so that a few
+troopers had plenty of .303 ammunition.  The others, supplying
+themselves with rifles and cartridges taken from the hundreds of German
+dead, were then in a position to give a good account of themselves
+should the enemy again attack at close quarters.
+
+Having completed his present duties Wilmshurst made his way to the hut
+where Bela Moshi had been taken after his wound had been dressed.  The
+building, consisting of bamboo walls and palm-leaf thatch, had been
+converted into a hospital and made bullet proof by piling up earth
+against the sides to a height of about six feet.  Above that the
+bamboos and the roof were riddled with bullets, making it a hazardous
+business for any one to stand upright.
+
+In the limited space were two Rhodesians suffering from gunshot wounds.
+Almost every other man of the patrol had been hit, but one and all made
+light of their injuries, and after receiving attention had resumed
+their places in the defence.  Over thirty villagers had been badly
+wounded, but these were receiving the attention of their fellows,
+since, for some unexplained reason, they were reluctant to have their
+wounds dressed by their white allies.
+
+"Going on famously, sir," announced the Rhodesian corporal, who, having
+played a gallant part in the defence, had returned to his errand of
+mercy.  "I've extracted the bullet; it had lodged only a quarter of an
+inch under the skin and close to the right of his backbone.  I don't
+fancy the lungs are touched.  He'll pull through if any of us do."
+
+"That's great!" exclaimed Wilmshurst, overjoyed that his devoted Haussa
+sergeant stood a good chance of recovery.  "You ought to have been a
+doctor, corporal."
+
+"I was very near it, sir," was the reply.  "Had two years at Bart's and
+then chucked up the idea and came to Rhodesia.  But this is somewhat
+remarkable; what do you make of it, sir?"
+
+The corporal held up for inspection the bullet that had narrowly
+escaped putting an end to Bela Moshi.
+
+"Automatic pistol bullet, by Jove!" exclaimed the subaltern, handling
+the piece of nickel.
+
+"Yes, sir," continued the corporal, "and the Haussa has been muttering
+while he was coming to.  Putting two and two together, so to speak, I
+fancy he stopped the bullet that grazed our sergeant's ear when we were
+bringing in the gun."
+
+"Ah, yes; Bela Moshi did fall, but he was quickly on his feet again,"
+remarked Wilmshurst.
+
+"With a bullet that had all but just passed completely through his
+body," added the Rhodesian.  "And after that he acted as a platform--he
+had a man standing on his shoulders for nearly a quarter of an
+hour--and only collapsed after the attack had been broken.  There's
+vitality and pluck for you, sir!"
+
+"And if we come out of this business alive I'll see that Bela Moshi's
+case is reported to the proper quarter," declared Dudley.
+
+"The only thing against him is the want of water," said the corporal.
+"I'd risk getting plugged for the sake of a couple of bottles of water.
+How about the well, sir?"
+
+"We're having a shot at it as soon as possible," replied the subaltern,
+and picking up his water-bottle, he left the hut.
+
+The urgency of the matter decided Dudley.  If humanly possible he meant
+to make the attempt forthwith.  A glance at the still smouldering
+debris told him pretty plainly that it was a dangerous if not
+impossible undertaking, but for the sake of his Haussa sergeant the
+subaltern determined to procure the precious fluid.
+
+He sought out his brother, but Rupert was sound asleep.  Rupert was the
+only person he wanted to inform of his projected expedition, but that
+course was denied him.
+
+With the bottle slung across his shoulder and a native jar--holding
+about a gallon--in each hand, Dudley leapt into the trench and scaled
+the parapet before the few men who were in the vicinity were aware of
+his intention.  Then drawing a deep breath, like a diver about to make
+a plunge, he dashed into the belt of smoke-laden air.
+
+At every pace his boots kicked up showers of white ashes.  The heat
+penetrated the thick soles, it singed his hair and scorched his face
+and hands.  He felt himself wondering why he was such a fool as to try
+conclusions with a mass of hot embers ... why wasn't he content to wait
+another two hours or so, when the heat would have greatly decreased.
+Supposing he lost his bearings in the smoke and couldn't find the well
+after all?
+
+These and a dozen other deprecatory thoughts flashed across his mind as
+he stumbled onwards.  He had had but a brief knowledge of the plan of
+the kraal previous to the fire.  He remembered that the well stood in
+the centre of a fairly open space.  There, at any rate, would he find a
+comparatively safe oasis in the desert of hot embers.
+
+"By Jove, that was a narrow one!" he soliloquised as a bullet--one of
+many shot at a venture--whizzed dangerously close to his ears and
+knocked up a number of small fougasses as it ricochetted in the embers.
+
+He wanted to breathe.  Already the air was on the point of being
+exhausted in his lungs, yet he durst not gasp for breath.  Another
+twenty yards ... or was it forty?  He was hardly sure of his
+whereabouts....  Mentally he enquired if he had been making a detour
+instead of keeping in a straight line.  Maintaining direction in a haze
+of smoke was far more difficult, he reflected, than in a fog,
+especially when there was a time limit fixed for the performance.
+
+Almost before he was aware of it Wilmshurst literally blundered upon an
+open expanse where the short grass had been burnt off close to the
+ground.  Surrounded by a barrage of bluish vapour that rose from
+irregular mounds of debris, the subaltern was able to breathe
+comparatively fresh air.
+
+Ahead was the well, its windlass of hard teak charred but otherwise
+uninjured.  It was a different case with the rope.  The fibre had
+smouldered badly; it would be unwise to attempt to raise the heavy
+bucket by it.
+
+Cutting adrift a length of the coir rope the subaltern bent it to the
+neck of one of the jars and drew up the vessel full of liquid.  The
+water was loathsome in appearance, its surface being covered with ash
+and fragments of charcoal of various sizes.  Prudence, as taught by
+long months of practical experience on the Coast, urged the young
+officer to resist the desire to slake his burning thirst.  No water
+unless boiled and filtered can be drunk by Europeans without grave
+risks of deadly disease.  But Wilmshurst now threw caution to the winds.
+
+With avidity he filled the joined palms of his hands with the brackish
+and otherwise unpalatable liquid and raised it to his lips.  He drank
+deeply, unmindful of millions of unseen germs in his almost frantic
+efforts to relieve the pangs of his parched throat.
+
+Then completing his stock of hardly-gained water Wilmshurst turned to
+retrace his way, aware that during his stay a steady breeze had
+suddenly sprung up.  Under its influence the dangers of the passage
+through the embers were greatly increased, for, fanned by the wind,
+numerous mounds of debris had flared up again, while the volume of
+smoke had spread in density, blowing straight into his face.
+
+For some moments Dudley stood irresolute; then seized by a sudden
+inspiration he ran down wind, plunging through the charred wreckage.
+He was going directly away from that part of the kraal still held by
+his comrades.  His new direction led towards a part of the hostile
+investing lines, but he preferred to run the risk of being sniped at
+six hundred yards to fighting his way through the now steadily burning
+debris.
+
+As he expected, his passage through this part of the devastated village
+was relatively easy.  Being the first of the huts to take fire this
+section had almost burnt itself out.  Occasionally he had to dodge
+round a heap of still burning timber.  The heat was almost unbearable,
+while the smoke penetrating his lungs made him gasp and cough
+violently; so much so, that twice he had to place his precious
+water-jars on the ground and clutch at his throat in his distress.
+
+At length a line of blackened, calcined posts told him that he had
+emerged from the kraal, and that he was on the line formerly occupied
+by the stockade.  For another fifty or sixty yards he held on, until
+the smoke cleared considerably; then changing direction, he began to
+circumvent the abandoned line of defence until he came to the still
+held position.
+
+It was not long before several bullets, whizzing perilously close,
+warned him that the enemy had spotted him through the eddying wreaths
+of vapour.  Others, striking the earth with a dull thud, ricochetted
+within a few inches of his feet.
+
+Bending, until his jars were almost bumping on the ground, the
+subaltern summoned his remaining energies in a final spurt and doubled
+almost recklessly towards his goal.
+
+Through the smoke he heard the sharp challenge of one of the sentries.
+He tried to reply, but no sound came from his parched throat.  The man
+raised his rifle, when his sergeant, recognising the dishevelled,
+swaying form of Second-Lieutenant Wilmshurst, ordered the man to
+recover arms.  Then a white mist swam before the subaltern's eyes, and,
+retaining sufficient presence of mind to place the hardly-won jars of
+water upon the ground, he stumbled inertly into the arms of the
+Rhodesian sergeant.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+IM THE ENEMY'S POSITION
+
+It was not long before Wilmshurst regained consciousness, to find that
+his precious stock of water was being boiled under the direction of the
+patrol-corporal.  With admirable restraint the men, knowing that the
+subaltern had risked a horrible death for the sake of his black
+sergeant, had put the whole of the liquid to boil, insisting that a
+fair distribution would be made when the water was fit for drinking.  A
+little over two gallons was not much among so many, but it would just
+assuage their thirst until the steadily-declining heat of the
+smouldering ruins permitted access to the well.
+
+Producing his pump-filter, for Bela Moshi had taken particular pains to
+leave it in a safe place before the sortie, the subaltern strained the
+liquid.  It was warm and insipid, yet it was now free from
+contamination, and Bela Moshi drank it with avidity.
+
+A suspicion of his broad smile flitted across his face as he took the
+life-giving draught.
+
+"You tink me lib for die, sah?" he enquired whimsically.
+
+"No fear!" replied Wilmshurst, knowing that to a remarkable degree a
+"nigger" can control his ability to live or die.  He had known of a
+black man who, grievously upset in a quarrel, declared that he was
+going to die, and promptly lying down and turning his face to the
+ground, the man was a corpse within half an hour.  "You get well one
+time quick, or me berry angry."
+
+The subaltern's reply reminded him of a doting parent talking to a
+small child in baby language.  Bela Moshi was a mere child in certain
+respects, and the mild threat had its effect.  "Den me tink me lib,
+sah," he said.
+
+With this assurance Wilmshurst left to snatch a few hours' much-needed
+rest.  The bulk of the white men comprising the garrison were behind
+the earthworks.  Occasional sharp bursts of rifle firing came from the
+bush, but no reply was made by the defenders of the kraal.  Ammunition
+was too scarce and precious to be thrown away at haphazard firing upon
+an unseen foe.  The Germans' remaining machine gun was unaccountably
+silent.  Perhaps it had failed, after the manner of automatic weapons.
+On the other hand, although the captured machine-gun was liable to jam
+after a few rounds, owing to its having become overheated, the Huns
+were ignorant of the fact, and thus the practically useless weapon was
+a strong moral factor in favour of its captors.
+
+Dudley slept for a solid four hours, to awake considerably refreshed to
+find that some one had spread a double ground-sheet above him, so as to
+form a tent, for the sun was now directly overhead.
+
+"Hullo, Rupert!" he exclaimed, upon seeing his brother.  "How goes it?"
+
+"Feeling quite my old self," was the reply.  "A fellow can buck up even
+in present circumstances after being penned up by a mob of rascally
+Huns."
+
+"What happened to you?" asked Dudley.
+
+Rupert shrugged his bent shoulders.
+
+"Don't ask me," he replied.  "Some day I'll tell you--if we get out of
+this scrap."
+
+"Did you hear what became of Robert MacGregor?" persisted Dudley.
+
+"A thundering good old pal!" declared his brother heartily.  "If he'd
+not been obliged to go back to Rhodesia I don't think I would have been
+landed in a German prison.  I'd give a lot to shake old Bob by the hand
+again."
+
+The subaltern regarded his brother intently.  Rupert, he saw, was
+speaking quite naturally and without any trace of sarcasm.  It was
+clear that he had not the slightest idea of the double, nay multi-dyed
+treachery of Ulrich von Gobendorff.
+
+"Dash it all!" he soliloquised.  "I can't enlighten old Rupert just
+now.  Revelations must come later--if, as he remarked, we do come out
+of this business alive."
+
+About four o'clock in the afternoon the irritating rifle fire ceased.
+Fifteen minutes passed without a shot winging its way from the dense
+scrub; and although one or two of the defenders boldly stood upon the
+parapet to draw the enemy, their tempting position brought no response.
+
+"Guess we'll hike out and bring in some water," declared one.  "No time
+like the present, and we are as dry as a bone."
+
+"Very good," agreed the patrol-commander.  "Only look sharp about it.
+This lull in the firing may mean that the Boches are up to some of
+their knavish tricks."
+
+Accordingly five men, each carrying four jars, set off to the well.
+The dangers that Wilmshurst had encountered were now over, and in a
+short space of time the five returned.  Although they had been in full
+view of the enemy positions throughout, their progress had not been
+molested by so much as a single shot.
+
+"The blighters are saving it up for us for to-night," declared a
+trooper.  "Wonder if a couple of us could steal through their lines and
+make our way to the main column?  A few squadrons would make Fritz sit
+up."
+
+"No use unless we were mounted," objected another; "and a fellow
+couldn't hope to dash through their lines at full gallop.  He'd be
+chock full of bullets before he got within fifty yards of them."
+
+"I'd risk it, anyway," asserted the first speaker.  "Either mounted or
+dismounted I reckon I'd do it as soon as it gets dark.  But I'm hanged
+if I can understand why Fritz is so horribly quiet and well-behaved."
+
+"That's what we'd all like to know," added the sergeant.  "I'm that
+curious that I fancy taking a stroll that way myself."
+
+Shortly afterwards a party of villagers were collected and set to work
+to bury the bodies of those who had fallen in the futile assault.  The
+natives, contrary to expectation, performed their tasks without let or
+hindrance from the enemy, although the men engaged in the work offered
+a tempting target.
+
+With the fall of darkness the mental attention of the garrison became
+acute.  At every slight or unaccountable sound the men strained eyes
+and ears and grasped their rifles to meet an imaginary rush.  Just
+before midnight a shot rang out, the flash of the rifle being clearly
+discernible at a point immediately fronting the scene of the most
+formidable attack on the previous night.
+
+"They're coming, boys!" exclaimed the patrol-commander.  "Ten rounds
+rapid when I give the word, then independent firing.  Don't waste a
+single shot."
+
+Only the click of the rifle-bolts and the quick breathing of the men
+broke the stillness.  Even the natives, awed by the impending assault,
+were silent as they handled their bows and long-hafted spears.
+
+"Hear anything?" whispered the patrol-commander, edging close to
+Wilmshurst.
+
+"Nothing," replied the subaltern.
+
+"They're coming, sir," exclaimed a deep voice.
+
+The subaltern raised his binoculars and swept the intervening space.
+The powerful night-glasses revealed no sign of the approaching enemy.
+
+Again a flash, followed by the sharp report of a rifle, the bullet
+knocking splinters from one of the cross-pieces of the stockade--and
+then utter silence.
+
+"Dashed if I can stick this!" declared Wilmshurst.  "I'll go out and
+see what's doing.  With luck I'll be back in an hour."
+
+"Very good," agreed the Rhodesian patrol-commander.  "Give the word
+'Buluwayo' for the countersign.  Good luck!"
+
+Without loss of time the subaltern started on his mission of
+investigation.  Once clear of the kraal he realised a sense of
+loneliness.  He would have given almost all he possessed for the
+companionship of his trusty Bela Moshi.  Then, shaking off the
+instinctive depression, he devoted his thoughts to the work on hand.
+
+He was taking a different route from the one he had followed on the
+occasion of the capture of the machine-gun.  It was unfamiliar ground,
+flat and totally devoid of cover.  Ahead lay a line of dark shadows
+that marked the commencement of the encircling bush.  It was only
+slightly over a quarter of a mile away, but the distance seemed
+interminable as he slowly and cautiously held on.
+
+Once he stood stock still, his heart beating violently.  Ten yards
+ahead a man lay prone on the short grass.  The faint starlight glinted
+on the barrel of a rifle, which was pointed straight at the lone
+subaltern.
+
+Momentarily Wilmshurst expected to see the blinding flash of the rifle.
+The fellow was a long time lingering over the sights, he thought.  The
+young officer moved a couple of paces to the right.  The sinister
+muzzle seemed to be following him, tantalisingly menacing.
+
+Acting upon a sudden impulse Wilmshurst flung himself flat on the
+ground.  After a pause he raised his head and looked towards the
+sniper, for such he took him to be.  The man had not stirred.  His
+rifle was cocking upwards at an acute angle to the ground, "I believe a
+dead Hun has given me cold feet," muttered the subaltern, and creeping
+stealthily he made a wide detour round the rigidly immovable figure.
+Then, satisfied up to a certain point, he crawled towards the
+motionless object.
+
+It was an Askari.  The man was one of the first to be shot during the
+onslaught.  He had fallen face downwards, but still grasped his rifle
+in such a position that there was good reason for mistaking him for a
+sniper.
+
+From this point Wilmshurst resumed his outward journey, proceeding on
+hands and knees and halting at frequent intervals to place his ear to
+the ground.  He could detect no audible evidences of the foe.  Never
+before, in the course of two separate campaigns against native troops
+officered by Germans, had he known such absolute silence amongst the
+black rank and file.
+
+On and on he crawled, grimly soliloquising that much more of this mode
+of progression would make him imagine that he was a new type of
+serpent, for as he approached the outer fringe of scrub he literally
+moved on his stomach.
+
+Proceeding thus he passed between two large thorn bushes.  Beyond was a
+slight artificial depression in the ground, on the bottom of which were
+hundreds of metal cartridge cases.
+
+By the peculiar pungent odour he knew that they had been fired within
+the last twelve hours.  Some were trodden into the loose earth, which
+bore numerous indications of having been trampled both with boots and
+bare feet.
+
+"By Jove!" he thought.  "Fritz has cleared out."
+
+Even as the idea flashed across his mind a rifle-shot rang out on his
+left.
+
+Promptly Wilmshurst flattened himself to the ground, and waited
+breathlessly for further developments.  The weird silence was
+maintained save for the distant croaking of bullfrogs in a marsh.
+
+"Booby trap!" he declared, and cautiously groped around to find out if
+he had incautiously touched a fine wire.  At a radius of his extended
+arm he found nothing of that nature.  Perhaps, after all, a sniper was
+concealed in the bushes on his left, for the bullet had not been
+directed at him.
+
+Bent upon investigating the mystery Wilmshurst crept round the
+intervening bushes.  Before he had traversed thirty yards his head came
+in contact with the stock of a rifle.  The weapon was lashed to a
+couple of stout bamboos.  Fastened to the trigger was a short piece of
+wire, to which in turn was tied a length of raw hide.  The subaltern
+gave a chuckle of satisfaction.  His discovery confirmed his surmise
+that the investing force had raised the siege, leaving rifles so
+arranged that they would fire automatically after various intervals in
+order to convey the erroneous impression that the bush was still held
+in force.
+
+The raw hide cords had been placed in position during the heat of the
+day.  After dark the heavy dew moistened the hide and caused it to
+contract until the tension upon the trigger was sufficient to release
+the bolt action and detonate the cartridges.
+
+A similar ruse, embodying more ingenuity, had been practised by the
+British troops during the successful evacuation of the Gallipoli
+peninsula; but in this case the fixed rifles were fired by means of a
+small trickle of water dropping from an upper receptacle into a lower
+one.  To the latter was tied a cord, the other end of which was
+fastened to the trigger.  As soon as half a gallon of liquid entered
+the lower tin can, resulting in a pressure of about seven pounds on the
+trigger, the rifle was fired.
+
+"And there are plenty of discarded tins lying about," thought
+Wilmshurst.  "It seems strange that methodical Fritz should waste a
+good raw-hide thong when simpler and more efficacious means are
+available, unless--ah!  I wonder if it was a lack of water that made
+them clear out?"
+
+Wilmshurst was nothing if not thorough.  Before returning with the
+joyful news to the kraal he meant to satisfy himself that the Huns had
+abandoned all their positions.  It would be a bad business if, on the
+strength of the young officer's report, the patrol left the village and
+attempted to rejoin the main body only to find themselves suddenly
+attacked in the open by vastly numerically superior forces.
+
+Checking his direction from time to time by means of his luminous
+compass Dudley penetrated nearly a mile into the bush.  Everywhere
+there were evidences that the enemy had retired in the direction of the
+Karewenda Hills, while the not distant sounds of wild animals showed
+that the bush was clear of anything of the nature of numerous parties
+of human beings.
+
+Satisfied on this point the subaltern was about to retrace his way when
+he heard a stealthy footfall on the dew-soddened ground within a few
+paces of the spot where he stood.
+
+Softly and deliberately Wilmshurst dropped to the earth, screened by
+the broad leaves of a cactus.  He could hardly believe the evidence of
+his senses when, almost within arm's length, appeared the foremost of a
+single file of Haussas--men not only of his own battalion but of his
+platoon.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+CORNERED AT LAST
+
+Checking the natural exuberance of his wildly delighted men Wilmshurst
+obtained the information that the battalion, acting in conjunction with
+a Punjabi infantry regiment and a couple of squadrons of Light Horse,
+was about to deliver a surprise attack upon the enemy.  Once again the
+wily Hun had disappointed the British forces.  By means of native
+scouts the Germans had learnt of the approach of the relieving forces,
+and without waiting to exchange shots the former had effected a prompt
+and skilfully-conducted retirement.
+
+Accompanied by one of the Haussas Wilmshurst hastened to inform his
+commanding officer of the state of affairs.  On the way he found big
+Spofforth with the advance-guard.  The latter greeted his missing chum
+cordially.
+
+"You're a lucky blighter!" he exclaimed, as he critically surveyed
+Dudley's ragged and dishevelled appearance.  "You always manage to see
+some fun.  Here are we, after two days' hard marching, sold completely,
+and not a chance to fire a shot.  Well, what have you been doing?"
+
+"I'll tell you later," replied Wilmshurst.  "I must report to the C.O.
+Briefly, we've missed von Gobendorff, but we've had one of the toughest
+little scraps I've ever experienced."
+
+Colonel Quarrier was both delighted and disappointed with his junior
+officer's report.  His satisfaction at the news of the successful
+defence of the kraal was unbounded; but his brow darkened when he
+learnt of the escape of Ulrich von Gobendorff.
+
+"We heard from native sources that you were in a tight corner, Mr.
+Wilmshurst," he remarked in conclusion.  "How the news got through in
+so short a time is one of those unsolved mysteries appertaining to the
+inhabitants of Central Africa.  We pushed ahead with a column hoping to
+catch Fritz sitting; but we were done.  Well, ought you to rejoin your
+temporary unit?  If you prefer you can remain till dawn, for I do not
+intend to move further till then.  We don't want any exchange of shots
+by mistake."
+
+"I'll return, sir," replied the subaltern.  "The men will be bucked to
+hear the good news.  I shouldn't wonder if they aren't getting a bit
+anxious, for I was due back an hour ago."
+
+Without mishap the subaltern traversed the intervening stretch of
+scrub, crossed the open space and gained the kraal, where, as he had
+expected, the good news was hailed with enthusiasm.  For the first time
+since the investment of the village the defenders were able to snatch a
+few hours' undisturbed sleep unaccompanied by the intermittent reports
+of rifles and the constant expectation of being called to arms.
+
+Dawn was breaking when a squadron of Rhodesian Light Horse cantered up
+to the bullet-torn stockade, their arrival being hailed with three
+cheers by the undaunted patrol and a deafening clamour from the
+natives, who had played no inconspicuous part in the defence of the
+kraal.  Twenty minutes later the Waffs marched in, followed by an
+Indian battalion, which bivouacked in the open.
+
+"Here we remain--so the C.O. says," declared Danvers, as the four
+platoon-commanders of "A" Company gathered together in a native hut
+temporarily converted into the mess.  "It's a step nearer the Karewenda
+Hills, and there, according to accounts, Fritz will make a last stand."
+
+"Unless he prefers Cape Town," added Spofforth, and the five officers
+laughed at the jest.  "As things are going it reminds me of that kid's
+game 'Ring-a-ring-o'-Roses'--simply barging round and round and getting
+no forrarder."
+
+"Dashed smart chap that servant of yours, Wilmshurst," remarked
+Laxdale, after the subaltern had related the story of Bela Moshi's
+devotion.  "And how is he progressing?"
+
+"Splendidly, according to Dr. Barkley's latest report," replied Dudley.
+"If any fellow deserves the D.C.M. it's he."
+
+"And a little bird whispered to me," continued Laxdale, "that a certain
+member of the antient and accepted order of the Lone Star Crush did a
+jolly risky thing--fetching water under enemy fire."
+
+Wilmshurst coloured hotly.
+
+"Rot!" he ejaculated.  "Fritz couldn't see me.  They were putting up a
+lot of small arms ammunition, of course.  No, that's nothing; almost
+forgot about it, in fact."
+
+But if Wilmshurst had dismissed the incident from his mind the water
+had not forgotten him.  The poisonous germs in the non-filtered liquid
+were doing their lethal work, and that evening the subaltern was down
+with a severe bout of malaria.
+
+In a covered dhoolie Wilmshurst was sent down to a hospital base-camp.
+With him went Rupert, who, on the setting in of the reaction following
+his release, was on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
+
+Within a couple of months Dudley was back with his battalion.  Many
+times he bitterly reproached himself for being out of action for that
+period simply because he did not exercise sufficient restraint when he
+drank the tainted water.  He realised that he alone was to blame, while
+most of the trouble fell upon the shoulders of his brother
+platoon-commanders, who already had their full share of work and
+responsibility.
+
+He found the battalion at a place twenty miles further away from the
+Karewenda Hills than the kraal where he had played so conspicuous a
+part in its defence.
+
+"You needn't have been so rattled about it, old boy," declared
+Spofforth.  "You've missed none of the fun, for the simple reason that
+there hasn't been any.  A fortnight ago we were within sight of Twashi.
+There was a Belgian column operating on the north-west side.  It looked
+as if we were going to do something great, when we had to retire
+through lack of provisions.  It appears that a few Huns got away and
+started playing the deuce with our lines of communication; put the
+kybosh on a couple of convoys and generally made things unpleasant."
+
+"Rather," agreed Laxdale.  "I've been hungry many a time, but now I
+know what it means to have to tighten one's belt.  I'll qualify for the
+Army Light-weight Championship yet."
+
+"A week ago I seriously thought of going on exhibition as a living
+skeleton," remarked Danvers.  "You've been jolly lucky, Wilmshurst;
+you're as fat as a prize turkey-cock.  They've been stuffing you down
+at the base."
+
+"At any rate I'll soon work it down to normal," rejoined Wilmshurst.
+"Any company news?"
+
+"Nothing much," replied Spofforth.  "Two casualties in your platoon.
+Bela Moshi is still away (hard lines, thought Wilmshurst), but the
+recommendation for the D.C.M. has gone through.  The black sinner will
+be as proud as a dog with two tails when he gets the medal."
+
+Within a week of Dudley's rejoining, the column was again in position
+to resume offensive operations.  Well guarded convoys had arrived,
+including a much-needed ammunition column, while with the advent of the
+rainy season the difficulty of feeding the horses and mules was
+considerably reduced.
+
+The troops advanced on a broad front, the Waffs in the centre, a
+Punjabi battalion on the right and a Pathan regiment on the left.
+Light Horse and Indian Lancers operated on both flanks, while a battery
+of mountain guns acted in support of the infantry.
+
+For the last three weeks a strong Belgian column had been sitting on
+the banks of the Tuti, a river flowing in a south-westerly direction
+behind the Karewenda Hills and joining the Kiwa fifty miles S.S.W. of
+M'ganga.  By holding the fords the Belgians effectually cut off the
+retreat of the Huns from Twashi, and the latter being fully aware of
+that unpleasant fact were confronted with one of two alternatives--to
+fight it out or surrender.
+
+Four days' steady marching brought the British column within striking
+distance of the outermost lines of defence.  The difficult nature of
+the ground made it impossible to run the position.  A frontal attack
+had to be delivered in order to pierce the line, but before this could
+be done the intervening ground had to be carefully reconnoitred, as
+many of the defences had been thrown up during the last few days, Fritz
+working with feverish energy when he found himself cornered.
+
+During the course of the day four Germans approached the outlying
+piquets and made signs that they wished to surrender.  Blindfolded they
+were escorted to headquarters and subjected to a rigorous examination.
+They admitted frankly that supplies both of food and ammunition were
+running short and that the Askaris were restless and showing signs of
+mutiny.  The prisoners also gave details of the position of some of the
+German advance works, stating that they were but lightly held.  Each
+man being showed a military map he indicated the position of the
+defence in question; and, what was more, the descriptions coincided
+with each other.
+
+"It would be well, however, not to take too much for granted, sir,"
+remarked the adjutant to Colonel Quarrier after the Germans had been
+removed.  "This surrender business may be a put-up job to throw dust in
+our eyes.  Their yarn has a sort of carefully-practised savour about
+it."
+
+"Perhaps you are right," agreed the C.O. of the Waffs.  "It would be as
+well to be content with a feint upon this section of the defences in
+case there is a labyrinth of mines.  What sort of ground is this?"
+
+He pointed with a pencil to the map spread out in front of him.  The
+adjutant looked, frowned and tugged at his moustache.
+
+"I really cannot say, sir," he replied at length.  "If the map is
+correct----"
+
+"I refer to the actual terrain," interrupted Colonel Quarrier.  "Look
+here, Manners; if it is fairly undulating, and not too steep on the
+north-eastern side, it ought to be admirably suited for a
+_coup-de-main_.  Frontal, of course, but that is inevitable."
+
+"Just so, sir," murmured the adjutant.  Colonel Quarrier deliberately
+folded up the map.  "Very well," he said in conclusion.  "Send a
+reliable officer out.  I want an accurate report.  Whom can you
+suggest?"
+
+Captain Manners pondered.
+
+"There's Mr. Spofforth, sir----"
+
+"Too jolly lanky for the job," objected the colonel.
+
+"Mr. Danvers----"
+
+"Took lowest marks at map-reading," continued the critical C.O.  "A
+smart officer in every other respect."
+
+"Mr. Laxdale----"
+
+"Lacks caution," declared Colonel Quarrier.  "No pun intended.  A good
+man in a rush at the head of his platoon, but for individual
+work--Who's next?"
+
+"Mr. Wilmshurst, sir."
+
+"Only just out of hospital," was the C.O.'s dictum.
+
+"But fit and as keen as mustard, sir," persisted the adjutant for two
+reasons.  He was getting a bit bored at having his recommendations
+summarily "choked off"; he also knew that Dudley Wilmshurst was, apart
+from being a soldier, a scout by instinct, and that he had plenty of
+experience of the conditions of life in the bush.
+
+"Very well, then," declared the C.O.  "Broach the subject to him
+privately, Manners.  If he jumps at it, send him to me."
+
+Ten minutes later Second-Lieutenant Dudley Wilmshurst "jumped."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+QUITS
+
+The subaltern decided to go out alone.  One man stood a far better
+chance of escaping detection than two; so greatly to the dismay of
+every Haussa in his platoon he faced the difficult task single handed.
+
+Mounted on a nimble pony and carrying rifle and ammunition, revolver,
+binoculars, map and compass Wilmshurst was bent upon conserving his
+energies during the ride across the previously reconnoitred ground.  On
+new terrain he would tether his steed and proceed on foot.
+
+The air was still and sultry.  Away to the north great black clouds
+piled themselves up in sombre masses, indigo-coloured with edges of
+watery green and flaming copper.  Against the dark background the
+distant horizon stood out clear and distinct, owing to the exaggerated
+refractory conditions of the atmosphere.
+
+"A regular deluge before long," decided Dudley.
+
+He viewed the approaching storm with equanimity.  The clearness of the
+atmosphere rendered his task lighter, while the change of weather would
+tend to keep the Askaris within their lines.  Even German military
+despotism could not conquer the native levies' dread of a thunderstorm.
+Finally the darkness and rain on the bursting of the storm would enable
+him to get back without so much chance of being spotted, for on
+reconnoitring it is on the return journey that casualties to the scouts
+happen most frequently.
+
+The subaltern's sole protection from the rain was a waterproof ground
+sheet.  Originally fawn-coloured it had been liberally camouflaged with
+bizarre circles, squares and triangles painted in a medley of
+colouring.  At five hundred yards the wearer was practically invisible,
+the "colour-scheme" blending with the surrounding ground in a most
+effective manner.  For the present the ground sheet, wrapped into a
+small compass, was strapped in front of the pommel of the saddle.
+
+Making his way past the outlying piquets Wilmshurst rode steadily.  The
+ground was undulating, the general tendency being a gentle rise.
+During the last few days the hitherto dry and parched land had been
+covered with rapidly growing vegetation, vivid green grasses shooting
+up to an average height of eighteen inches and transforming the open
+ground into a state strongly resembling the prairies of the New World.
+
+Crowds of _aasvogels_, gathered around the carcass of a mule, rose on
+the subaltern's approach, uttering discordant cries as they flew away
+from their interrupted meal.  It was unfortunate but unavoidable, and
+had Wilmshurst been within a couple of miles of a hostile post the
+aerial commotion would have "given him away."
+
+Checking his map with various prominent landmarks the subaltern arrived
+at the limit of his ride, a clump of sub-tropical trees that crowned a
+horseshoe-shaped hill.
+
+"That's all right so far," thought Dudley, comparing the contour of the
+hill with the plan.  "Now comes the unknown."
+
+His military map showed an absolute desert as far as detail was
+concerned.  Topographical knowledge was practically at zero judging by
+the almost blank portion of paper representing the ground between the
+subaltern and the twin spurs of the Karewenda Hills against which
+Colonel Quarrier proposed making their actual frontal attack.  It was
+Wilmshurst's task to cross this unknown ground, finding out the best
+route for troops to advance in column of route without being detected,
+and a suitable place for extending in open order prior to the final
+phases of the assault.
+
+Tethering his pony by means of a long hide-rope--for out of
+consideration for the animal he forbore to hobble it, since there was a
+possibility that he might not be able to return to it, Wilmshurst
+fastened the rolled ground-sheet over his shoulder after the manner of
+a bandolier, and holding his rifle ready for instant action began his
+seven-mile trek.  In order to baffle the enemy scouts should they be
+out, Dudley wore a pair of flat-soled boots to the feet of which were
+fixed a dummy pair of soles and heels in the reverse way.  Any one
+picking up the spoor would be under the erroneous belief that the
+wearer was walking in the opposite direction to the actual one.
+
+"Judging by my footsteps I must be a pigeon-toed blighter,"
+soliloquised Wilmshurst, as he noted the turned-in prints in the soft
+ground.  "I must look out to that, or I'll give the show away."
+
+On and on he went, making his way from one point of cover to another,
+yet without seeing or hearing the faintest sign of the German patrols.
+It was not a reassuring business, for scouts might be in the vicinity,
+and a scout unseen is a far greater menace than one who incautiously
+betrays his presence.
+
+Following the course of a donga he found that the narrow valley formed
+an admirable means for a column to advance if protected by flankers,
+but after tracing it for the best part of two miles Wilmshurst
+discovered that it terminated abruptly, merging into a vast open plain.
+
+Cautiously the subaltern crept up the sloping face of the donga until
+his head was just above the edge of the level ground.  By the aid of
+the glasses he made a prolonged and cautious survey.  Eight hundred
+yards on his right front were swarms of vultures busily engaged in
+their revolting pastime; at a similar distance on the left were four
+_springbok_ grazing unconcernedly.  Both signs tended to prove that
+there were no human beings about, for in the case of the _springbok_
+their keen scent enabled them to detect the presence of the hunter to
+such an extent that it was a difficult matter to get within easy range
+of them.
+
+Having taken a series of compass bearings and entered a few details on
+his map Wilmshurst started off for a kopje midway between the
+_aasvogels_ and the _springbok_.  Although he took the greatest pains
+to keep out of sight the nimble quadrupeds suddenly bolted, flying like
+the wind.  A few seconds later the vultures rose from their interrupted
+repast, flying almost immediately over the prone form of the subaltern.
+
+"Fishy--very," mused Wilmshurst.  "What made the _aasvogels_ fly this
+way?  I'll sit tight and await developments."
+
+For the best part of half an hour he remained perfectly quiet, not even
+risking to use his binoculars, lest the reflected light might attract
+the attention of a hostile scout.  By this time the storm was drawing
+nearer--slowly but surely.  As yet no rain had fallen.  There were the
+indigo-coloured clouds ahead; behind the sky was one unbroken expanse
+of dirty yellow haze.  It reminded Wilmshurst of the efforts of an
+amateur painter trying to "lay on" a coat of yellow paint with a
+tar-stained brush.  Far away to the north came the reverberations of a
+peal of thunder.  It was Nature's signal to the wary to take cover.
+
+Finding at the end of thirty minutes that nothing happened to indicate
+the presence of an enemy, for the _aasvogels_ had returned to their
+carrion feast, Wilmshurst essayed the remaining portion of his
+interrupted advance.  The kopje, he decided, was to be the extreme
+limit of his reconnoitring expedition.  From it he ought to be able to
+form a tolerably accurate idea of the nature of the terrain up to the
+base of the natural bastions of the Karewenda Hills.
+
+Wilmshurst had taken only half a dozen steps when a rifle shot rang
+out.  Practically simultaneously with the shrill whistle of the bullet
+something seemed to hit the subaltern on the left shoulder like a blow
+from a hammer.
+
+"That's done it," was his mental exclamation.  "Stopped one this time,
+by Jove!"
+
+And spinning round twice he dropped to the ground.
+
+Feeling horribly sick and faint Dudley sat up.  He found that he was
+lying in a slight hollow, the surrounding ground being sufficiently
+high to afford good cover, while ahead and on the right were bushes of
+long-spiked thorn.
+
+Satisfied on the point of concealment Dudley next devoted his attention
+to his wound.  Ripping open the sleeve of his coat he discovered that a
+bullet had passed completely through his left arm just below the
+shoulder.  There was very little loss of blood, showing that the
+missile had missed the principal veins and arteries, but whether it had
+smashed a bone was still a matter of uncertainty.
+
+Applying a first-aid dressing to the best of his ability, Wilmshurst
+prepared to "grin and bear it."  He realised that developments would be
+mostly a contest of patience.  The sniper was anxious to know the
+actual result of his shot, but too cautious to close until he felt
+certain that he had killed his victim.  Wilmshurst, anxious to "get his
+own back," also knew that premature action would spell disaster.  All
+he could do was to sit tight and hope that his enemy would leave his
+lair.
+
+Slowly the minutes passed.  The numbing sensation of the wound was
+giving place to hot, stabbing pain, while in spite of the sultriness of
+the air a cold sweat oozed from the young officer's forehead.
+
+"Dash it all!" he soliloquised.  "Hope I'm not going to faint or do
+something silly."
+
+He bent forward until his head rested on his knees.  In a few minutes
+the feeling of vertigo passed.  A draught from his water-bottle had the
+effect of temporarily quenching the burning pain that gripped his
+throat.
+
+"That's better," he declared, and straightway set to work to carefully
+blacken the foresight of his rifle, adjust the wind-gauge (for the
+first of a steady cross-wind had sprung up) and set the sights to six
+hundreds yards.
+
+"Not so bad with the use of one arm only," he muttered complaisantly.
+"Hullo, here's the rain!"
+
+With the typical fierceness of a tropical storm the rain beat down.
+Hailstones as big as a walnut thudded the ground, rebounding a foot or
+so in the air until all around was blotted out by the terrific
+downpour.  Underneath the waterproof sheet Dudley lay, knowing that
+there was no chance of the sniper venturing from his lair while this
+battery of nature's weapons was in action.  It was almost pitch-black,
+save for the phosphorescent-like light emanating from the falling rain.
+Occasional vivid flashes of lightning o'erspread the sky, followed by
+rumbling peals of thunder.
+
+Taking particular pains to keep his rifle dry Wilmshurst lay close
+until the initial downpour had passed.  Then, acting as promptly as his
+crippled condition would allow, he laid the muzzle of the weapon on a
+fork of one of the bushes.  As he expected he found that he could take
+aim without much risk of being spotted, since the bush formed an
+efficient screen.
+
+Still no sign of the sniper.  Wilmshurst had no definite idea of the
+fellow's position.  He could only surmise, basing his assumption on the
+report of the rifle, that he was either on the kopje ahead or else
+concealed behind one of the boulders on its side.
+
+"Fritz knows how to play a waiting game too, I see," muttered
+Wilmshurst, as he deliberately wiped off a globule of water that had
+dropped upon the backsight of his rifle.  "Hope he won't keep me
+waiting about till after midnight.  I must stick it till he shows up."
+
+The wounded subaltern bore no animosity towards the man who had shot
+him.  In a true soldierly spirit he realised that the Hun had acted
+like a sportsman.  It was merely a question of which scout was the
+sharper and Wilmshurst had been caught napping.  Really he wanted to
+congratulate Fritz upon his excellent shot, but before qualifying his
+wishes on that score he must get his own back--shot for shot.
+
+A thin haze of bluish smoke rose from a depression in the ground, and,
+caught by the wind, eddied into obscurity.
+
+"Silly juggins!" exclaimed Wilmshurst.  "Bad habit smoking when you're
+supposed to be _en perdu_.  Now I know where to look for you."
+
+The Hun was evidently arriving at a conclusion that he had "downed his
+man," but with the intention of waiting a little longer he was not able
+to resist the inclination of smoking a pipe.
+
+Bringing the butt of his rifle to his shoulder Wilmshurst lingered over
+the sights--not with the idea of firing at a wreath of smoke, but to
+test his ability to "pull off" gently.  To his surprise he found that
+the throbbing pain in his left shoulder had little or no effect upon
+his steadiness of aim.  Provided Fritz showed himself the subaltern
+felt almost certain of scoring an "inner" if not a "bull."
+
+In a quarter of an hour the puffs of smoke ceased.  Wilmshurst had a
+mental vision of the Hun knocking out the ashes on the heel of his boot
+and placing the pipe away in his pocket.
+
+"Now he'll be moving," thought Dudley.
+
+His surmise proved correct, for first the upper part of the head and
+then the face and shoulders of a man appeared above a ridge of ground.
+
+Wilmshurst stirred neither hand nor foot, lest in spite of the screen
+afforded by the bush his movements might be noticed by the alert scout.
+
+Followed a few long-drawn moments of suspense as the scout made a
+careful survey by means of his field-glasses.  Apparently satisfied he
+replaced the binoculars and carrying his rifle at the trail prepared to
+descend the knoll.
+
+Deliberately and cautiously Wilmshurst glanced along the sights of his
+rifle.  He would wait, he decided, until Fritz was some distance from
+his lair.  It would give him a chance to get in a couple of shots if
+the first perchance should miss.
+
+With his body from the waist upwards showing clearly against the
+copper-hued clouds the Hun offered a splendid target.
+
+Gently the subaltern's finger crept to the trigger.  In his interest in
+his foe he forgot the stinging, throbbing pain.  The rifle, supported
+by the fork of the tree, was as steady as a rock.
+
+Just as Wilmshurst was about to press the trigger a lurid blinding
+flash seemed to leap from the ground immediately on his front.  With
+the echoes of an appalling crash that shook the solid earth ringing in
+his ears Dudley found himself gazing blankly ahead but seeing nothing.
+Dazzled by the sudden intensity of light, deafened by the concussion,
+he was conscious of a vile, sulphurous odour assailing his nostrils.
+
+Gradually the mist decreased until he was able to see with comparative
+ease.  His first thought was for his rifle; he was agreeably surprised
+to find that it was intact, for it seemed marvellous that the lightning
+had missed the steel barrel.
+
+Then he looked in the direction of his enemy.  The Hun was lying prone,
+his head pillowed on his arm.  The other, curiously enough, was
+projecting obliquely in the air.  All around the grass was burning,
+while already the luckless man's uniform was smouldering.
+
+Abandoning all thought of concealment in his desire to aid his foe
+Wilmshurst sprang to his feet, and supporting his useless left arm by
+his right doubled towards the spot where the man had dropped.
+
+As he drew near he saw that the German's rifle had been hurled quite
+ten yards.  The barrel was partly wrenched from the stock, and for a
+distance of about a foot from the muzzle the steel had been split,
+revealing the glittering rifling.
+
+Taking in these details at a glance Dudley gained the side of the
+prostrate man.  One look was sufficient to show that the Hun had been
+killed outright.
+
+"Hard lines, Fritz," exclaimed Wilmshurst aloud.  "I'm glad I didn't
+have to pot you."
+
+Something prompted him to grasp the dead man by his shoulder and turn
+him over on his back.  As he did so, Dudley gave vent to an involuntary
+ejaculation of surprise.
+
+"Good heavens!" he exclaimed.  "It's von Gobendorff."
+
+      *      *      *      *      *
+
+It was close on sunset when Wilmshurst, racked with pain, returned to
+the bivouac.  Willing hands assisted him from the saddle, yet, firmly
+declining to submit to the attentions of the medical officer until he
+completed his task, the wounded subaltern made a lucid report and
+submitted his maps for inspection.
+
+Next morning he was sent down to the base hospital, protesting the
+while that the wound was not serious enough to keep him away from his
+platoon just as the fun was commencing.
+
+      *      *      *      *      *
+
+A fortnight later, while Wilmshurst was convalescing at Kilwa, he was
+surprised by a deputation of officers of his regiment--Spofforth,
+Danvers, Laxdale, and three or four more.
+
+"How goes it, old man?" exclaimed Spofforth, the leader of the
+deputation.  "You've something to show for your little dust-up."
+
+"I have," admitted Dudley.  "A clean puncture through the arm.  But
+what are you fellows doing here?  You don't mean to say that the
+business is over?"
+
+"By something I mean the M.C.," continued Jock Spofforth, ignoring
+Wilmshurst's questions.  "It's in to-day's orders, so we're here to
+offer congrats.  The battalion's doing well--a D.S.O., two M.C.'s and
+five D.C.M.'s; not a bad record, eh, what?"
+
+"Yes, the show's over as far as we are concerned," added Laxdale.  "We
+marched in yesterday.  It was a jolly satisfactory piece of work that
+final attack on Fritz's position."
+
+"Sorry I hadn't a hand in it," remarked Wilmshurst.
+
+"You did, old man," protested Spofforth.  "Those maps of yours--they
+were simply it.  We just romped home, as it were.  But buck up and
+don't look so down in the mouth.  One would fancy you didn't cotton on
+to the Military Cross.  And here's news.  We are expecting orders for
+Mesopotamia, so that ought to cheer you up."
+
+And Wilmshurst, M.C., of the Frontier Force, cheered up accordingly.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Wilmshurst of the Frontier Force, by
+Percy F. Westerman
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