Part 11 (1/2)

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 gra.s.s 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 Mos.h.i.+?”

”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 gra.s.s showed.

”All right,” replied Wilmshurst. ”Warn the men to be on the alert. We don't want casualties.”

Bela Mos.h.i.+ 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 carca.s.s 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 Mos.h.i.+. ”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 s.h.i.+ns 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 Mos.h.i.+.

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 Mos.h.i.+ to take refuge.