Part 32 (1/2)

”In that case you may advance. But be cautious, Stapleton. There are thousands of the enemy everywhere, and it would be better to have the Highlanders near at hand.”

He left the little party marvelling at the dash of this civilian soldier. But he knew what d.i.c.k's object was, and, with him, feared lest on the arrival of the force, they should find the Europeans ma.s.sacred.

d.i.c.k and his gallant little band, led by the natives whom he had rescued from k.u.masi, at once took to the forest again, and carefully crept through it on hands and knees. No one ventured to speak a syllable, and whenever it was necessary to issue an order our hero raised his hand, gathered the men close to him, and signalled. And in this way, pa.s.sing between vast bodies of fleeing Ashantis, who were so intent on procuring their own safety, that they failed to detect the presence of the British, the party came at length to the verge of the pestilential swamp which borders the town on one side. Not till then, perhaps, did the bluejackets fully comprehend the force of the tale which d.i.c.k had told them. It was only when they came actually to this spot and saw the awful results of the frequent executions which took place at this loathsome town, that they realised the agony suffered there, and the need there was to put a summary end to it all. Their teeth closed tight, and they gripped their rifles nervously.

”If they'd only stand, the cruel-hearted brutes,” whispered one of the men, ”we'd jest give 'em sacrifice. This here place smells of the dead.

Pah! I shall be glad when we're quit of it.”

”Silence! The half-hour is up now, and in a little while we shall hear the bugle for the advance. We will march into the town at once, and shoot down any who oppose us. These natives know where the European prisoners are, and will lead us to them. As each is found, bring him along with us till we come to the last. Ah! That's the bugle.”

Over the summit of the dense forest the faint notes came, sounding the last advance movement of the troops, and the knell of the blood-stained town of k.u.masi. d.i.c.k and his men rose to their feet, skirted the marsh, and within ten minutes were in the town. The native guides led them at once to the quarter in which the prisoners were located. Nor were they too soon by any means. For k.u.masi was gone mad. Thousands of figures fled through the wide streets to the forest beyond, while a party, some two hundred strong, told off for the purpose, no doubt, by King Koffee, were even then dragging the European captives from the prisons with the intention of conveying them to the temple of sacrifice.

”Charge!” shouted d.i.c.k, as he came in sight of the force, and at once, with a mighty cheer, the band of sailors and young officers broke into a run. And as they went, at an order from their leader, they pulled their triggers without lifting their rifles to their shoulders, sending a shower of bullets into the enemy. The Ashantis broke immediately and ran for their lives. d.i.c.k and his men at once surrounded the prisoners.

”Good gracious! The last of the prisoners! How did you manage to get away?”

d.i.c.k turned to find the very European who had spoken to him when a prisoner in k.u.masi, and at once rushed forward to shake him by the hand.

”I cut my way out,” he answered, ”and--well, here I am, while the troops are just behind us. We have beaten the Ashantis handsomely, and they are in full flight.”

”While we are safe, thanks to you,” replied the other, gripping d.i.c.k's hand enthusiastically. ”I heard the order given to those fellows who have just bolted. They were to take us to the execution hut and kill us. A pleasant prospect from which you have saved us! I thank you for all of my comrades and for myself.”

”Then there are four of you in all?” said d.i.c.k, as he counted the prisoners off and shook each by the hand.

”Five,” corrected the other. ”The last is ill, poor chap. He lies over here in a hut set by itself. I will lead the way.”