Part 4 (1/2)

At daybreak the convoy learnt that both vessels had been sh.e.l.led 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 sh.o.r.es 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 cl.u.s.tered 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 Ca.n.a.l.

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 pa.s.sable 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 s.n.a.t.c.hed 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 Mos.h.i.+ 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 ma.s.sive 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 wis.h.i.+ng for the rising of the moon.