Part 25 (1/2)

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 Champions.h.i.+p 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-c.o.c.k. 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 Mos.h.i.+ 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 Twas.h.i.+, 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----”