Through Three Campaigns: A Story of Chitral, Tirah and Ashanti

by G. A. Henty

  Chapter 17: Stockades And War Camps.

  "Well, Hallett, here we are," Lisle said the next morning, "andthank God neither of us is touched, except perhaps by a few slugs.Of these, however, I dare say the surgeon will rid us this morning.It has been a big affair and, if we live to a hundred years, we arenot likely to go through such another."

  "I wish you would not be so confoundedly cheerful," Hallett said,gloomily; "we have got to go down again, and the Kokofu are to bedealt with. We shall probably have half a dozen more battles. Therain, too, shows no signs of giving up, and we shall have to trampthrough swamps innumerable, ford countless rivers and, I dare say,be short of food again before we have done. As to going throughsuch work again, my papers will be sent in at the first hint that Iam likely to have to take part in it."

  "All of which means, Hallett, that just at the present moment areaction has set in; and I will guarantee that, if you had athoroughly good breakfast, and finished it off with a pint ofchampagne, you would see matters in a different light, altogether."

  "Don't talk of such things," Hallett said, feebly; "it is a dream,a mere fantasy. It doesn't seem to me, at present, a possibilitythat such a meal could fall to my lot.

  "Look at me, look at my wasted figure! I weighed nearly fourteenstone, when we started; I doubt whether I weigh ten, now."

  "All the better, Hallett. When I first saw you, on shore atLiverpool, I said to myself that you were as fat as a pig.

  "'He would be a fine-looking young fellow,' I said, 'if he couldget some of it off. I suppose it is good living and idleness thathas done it.'"

  Hallett laughed.

  "Well, perhaps I need not grumble at that; but the worst of it isthat I have always heard that, when a fellow loses on activeservice, he is sure to make it up again, and perhaps a stone more,after it is over."

  "Yes, it is clear that you will have to diet, when you get home. Nomore savoury dishes, no more champagne suppers; just a cut of ajoint, a few vegetables, and a ten-mile walk after."

  "Don't talk of such things," Hallett said, impatiently; "ratherthan live as you say, I would put up with carrying sixteen stoneabout with me. What is the use of living, if you are to have nosatisfaction out of life?"

  "Well, Hallett, my advice to you in that case is, make love to someyoung lady, directly you reach England; and marry her in a month,before you have begun to assume elephantine proportions. Oncehooked, you know, she cannot sue for divorce, on the ground thatyou have taken her in; and she will have to put up with you,whatever size you may attain."

  "Look here, Bullen," Hallett said seriously, "I know you mean well,but the subject is a very sore one with me. However, seriously, Iwill try to keep my fat down. If I fail I fail, and shall of coursesend in my papers; for I don't care to be made a butt of, by youngsubalterns like yourself. The subaltern has no sense of what isdecent and what is not, and he spares no one with his attempts atwit."

  "Why, you are a subaltern yourself, Hallett!"

  "I am within two of the top of the list, please to remember, andyou have still four above you, and I am therefore your superiorofficer. I have put aside youthful folly, and have prepared myselffor the position of captain of a company. I make great allowancesfor you. You will please to remember that you are five years myjunior, and owe me a certain share of respect."

  "Which I am afraid you will never get," Lisle said, laughingly. "Ishould as soon think of acting respectfully towards a Buddhistimage, simply because it is two thousand years old. However, sincethe subject is so painful to you, I will try not to allude to itagain.

  "Is there anything you would wish me to do, sir? I have no doubt Ishall have plenty of work to do, but I dare say I shall be able tofind time to do anything my senior officer may require."

  "Get out, you young scamp," Hallett growled, "or I shall throw--"and he looked round "--I don't see what there is to throw."

  "Hallett, I am afraid that this rest is going to do you harm. Ihave found you a very companionable fellow, up to now; but it isclear that a night's rest and high living have done you more harmthan good."

  So saying, with a laugh, Lisle put on his helmet and went out.

  There was, as he said, much to do. Everywhere there were proofs ofthe rigidness of the siege. Even in the houses in which they werequartered, which had been occupied by the enemy, the walls werepitted with bullets.

  At eight o'clock a party of men went out, to destroy the stockadesand burn the enemy's camps. In the one in which the Ashanticommander in chief had his headquarters were found over a thousandhuts and bamboo camp beds.

  The troops now saw the method of investment for the first time. Itconsisted in making large entrenchments, to barricade all the roadsand tracks. In the bush between these were similar stockades, tocomplete the circle of fortifications and afford flank defences.All these were joined by a wide path; so that, as soon as oneposition was attacked, it was reinforced by those to right andleft.

  The remainder of the troops and carriers were engaged in trying toremedy the shockingly insanitary condition of the place. The staffwere employed in examining the matter of stores and provisions,ammunition, and medical comforts; which were to be left behind forthe relieving garrison. The labourers worked in relays, as did therest of the soldiers.

  High grass had grown almost up to the fort walls, and had to be cutdown. While this was being done, skeletons and corpses in allstates of decomposition were met with. Almost all had died ofstarvation. At first the bodies of those who died had been buried,but latterly their friends had become too weak to perform thisoffice; and the poor wretches had crawled a few yards into thejungle, to die quietly. Such numbers of bodies were found that theyhad, at last, to be burned in heaps. Few, indeed, of the fourthousand fugitives who had gathered round the fort, reached thecoast with the force that had fought their way out.

  The doctors were busy all day with the refugees, the old garrison,the thirty casualties from the fight of the day before, and severalwhite men down with fever.

  The Ashantis had burnt all the cantonments of friendly natives, buthad left the old palace of Prempeh uninjured. This structure wasburnt during the day.

  The order for officers to assemble was sounded in the evening, andit was arranged that the return march was to start at four on thefollowing morning. The coveted post of leading the column was givento a company of the West African Frontier Force.

  They were a little sorry that they were so soon to leave the place.The fort itself was a handsome, square stone building, with towersat the four corners. The resident's quarters had a balcony, andexcellent rooms. There was also, of course, barrack accommodation,store rooms, and a well. Quick-firing guns were mounted on thecircular bastions. The surrounding buildings were bungalows, withbroad verandahs; and the force would have been well pleased toremain for a few days, and enjoy the comforts provided for them.

  The force to be left was under the command of Major Eden; and consistedof three officers, one doctor, three British non-commissioned officers,a hundred and fifty men of the West African Frontier Force, and a fewGold Coast Constabulary gunners; with fifty-four days' rations, and aplentiful supply of ammunition.

  The column was a terribly long one, owing to the enormous number ofinvalids, wounded, women, and children. They halted for the nightat the village halfway to Pekki. The villages on the road were allburnt down, to prevent opposition next time we passed; and allcrops were destroyed. This work the soldiers quite enjoyed.Continued explosions occurred during the burning of the huts,showing how large an amount of ammunition the natives possessed.

  Next night they arrived at Pekki. The king had prepared a market,so that the starving force got a more substantial supper thanusual. Here the column was to divide. Colonel Willcocks was to gostraight through to Bekwai; while the second portion, with thewounded and cripples, was to take two days.

  They halted at Bekwai for two or three days, to give rest to thesoldiers; a large proportion of whom were suffering from coughs,sore throats, and fever,
the result of their hardships. Twothousand carriers were sent to fetch up more stores.

  Preparations were then made for an attack on Kokofu, which was aserious menace to the troops going up or down. The column for thispurpose, which was under General Moreland, consisted of sixcompanies, which were to be brought up to eight. With three of thelarger guns and two seven-pounders, they started for Esumeja on the22nd. The force was a compact one, the only carriers allowed beingone to each white man, to take up some food and a blanket. MajorMelliss commanded the advance.

  They marched rapidly, as it was all important to take the enemy bysurprise. Some distance short of Kokofu, they stopped forbreakfast. Then the officers were assembled and, when the plan ofattack had been formed, the column moved cautiously on.

  The place was only a mile away, so that an attack was momentarilyexpected. The troops entered a deserted village, and there halted.A few sentries were thrown out, and the colonel held a shortcouncil of war with Major Melliss and two of his other officers.After some discussion, it was decided that a Hausa company shouldgo on, and rush the stockade with the bayonet, without firing. Ifthey carried it, they were to proceed along the river bank beyond,and so place themselves as to cover the advance of the guns.

  The scouts were called in; and the Hausa company set off, in fours,along the path. When they had marched a hundred yards, the littleband that formed the advance signalled that they made out somethingahead and, when they rounded the next sharp turn of the road theysaw, not thirty yards away, a great six-foot stockade, extendingfar into the bush on either side. It lay halfway down a gentleslope, a situation which favoured the assailants for, naturally,the hill would increase the impetus of the charge.

  The order was sent down in a whisper, "Stockade ahead, prepare tocharge."

  The men kept together as closely as possible. The buglers rang outthe charge and, with a shout, the Hausas rushed at the stockade. Inan instant the white leaders scaled the timbers, and the menfollowed at their heels.

  To their astonishment, the place was empty. The surprise wascomplete. It was clear that the enemy had no information, whatever,of their approach; and the guard from the stockade had gone tofeed, with their companions, in the war camp.

  The bugle had told them what was coming and, with a roar, thousandsof black figures dashed up towards the stockade. There was nothingfor it but to charge and, with fixed bayonets, the Hausas dashedforward, regardless of the heavy fire with which they were met.

  Enormously as they outnumbered their assailants, the sight of theglittering bayonets and the cheers of the Hausas were too much forthe enemy. Those in front, after a few more shots, turned and fled;the Hausas following in hot pursuit. The river turned out to be ofno depth; and it had not, as reported, a parapet for defending thepassage. Hard as the Hausas tried to overtake the enemy, theAshantis, being fleeter of foot, kept ahead but, though theshouting and running were beginning to tell on the pursuers, stillthey held on.

  The path gradually became firmer; and suddenly, when they turned acorner, there was Kokofu in front of them. From almost every house,running for their lives, were naked Ashantis. The sight restoredthe men's strength; and they redoubled their efforts, with theresult that they killed some thirty of the enemy.

  The pursuit was maintained until they reached the other end of thetown. Then the company was halted. The officers had difficulty inrestraining their men, who implored them to press on in pursuit;but a general permission to do so could not be given. No one knewwhether the main column had followed them; and it was possible,too, that the Ashantis might rally and return. Half the company,however, were permitted to continue the pursuit, and to keep theAshantis on the run.

  With shouts of delight, the men darted off in the darkness. In ashort time they were recalled, and the company then marched back tothe centre of the town. Here they found that the main body had comein. Two companies had been sent out, right and left into the bush,to keep down sniping fire, and hurry the enemy's retreat. Picketsand sentries had been thrown out round the town. Soldiers wereeating the food that the enemy had cooked. Piles of loot were beingdragged out of the houses; among which were quantities of loadedguns, rifles, and powder barrels. The native soldiers were almostmad with delight; and were dancing, singing, and carrying eachother shoulder high, shouting songs of triumph.

  But short time could be allowed for rejoicing. The various companycalls were sounded and, when the men were gathered, the town wasmethodically razed, and a collection of over two hundred guns wereburnt.

  The troops, however, had reason for their joy. The Kokofu army ofsome six thousand men, who had repulsed two previous attacks, werea mass of fugitives. In the course of one week, the Ashantis hadsuffered two crushing defeats in their strongest positions.

  As soon as the work was done, the force set out on their returnmarch. Their appearance differed widely from that of the men whohad silently, and in good order, advanced. Scarcely a man, white orblack, was not loaded with some token of the victory. All werelaughing, or talking, or singing victorious songs.

  A halt was made, to destroy the stockade and the war camp. Theformer was found to be extremely strong and, had it been manned bythe enemy, the work of capturing it would have been very serious,indeed.

  When they arrived at Esumeja, the garrison there could scarcelybelieve that the success had been so complete, and so sudden.Bekwai was reached as twilight was beginning, and here the whole ofthe garrison, with Colonel Willcocks at its head, was drawn up toreceive them. The men were heartily cheered; and the Hausa company,which had done such splendid service, were halted and congratulatedby Colonel Willcocks. Then after three cheers the force, which hadbeen on foot for sixteen hours, was dismissed, and returned to itsquarters.

  "Well, Hallett, how do you feel?"

  "Better," Hallett said. "I felt tired enough, after the march therebut, somehow, I forgot all about it directly the fight began.Everyone was so delighted and cheery that, really, I came in quitefresh."

  "I knew it would be so," Lisle said. "It has been a glorious dayand, if you had come in moping, I should have given you up ashopeless."

  "And I give you up as hopeless, the other way," Hallett replied."You always seem brimming over with fun; even when, as far as I cansee, there is nothing to be funny about."

  "Well, it really has been a glorious victory; and I only wish wehad both been with the Hausa company who first attacked. Theyreally won the game off their own bat, for we had nothing to do butto pick up the spoil.

  "There was not much worth carrying away, but I am glad of somelittle memento of the fight. I got the chief's stool. I don't quiteknow what I am going to do with it, yet; but I shall try to get myservant to carry it along; and it will come in handy, to sit downupon, when we encamp in a swamp.

  "What did you manage to get?"

  "I picked up a small rifle, a very pretty weapon. Do you know, Iquite approve of the regulation, in South Africa, that officersshould carry rifles instead of swords. I have never been able tounderstand why we should drag about swords, which are of no usewhatever while, with rifles, we could at least pot some of theenemy; instead of standing, looking like fools, while the men aredoing all the work."

  "I agree with you, there. In the Tirah campaign I, several times,got hold of the rifles of fallen men, and did a little shooting onmy own account. Officers would all make themselves good shots, ifthey knew that shooting would be of some value; and even threeofficers, with a weak company, could do really valuable service. Icertainly found it so, when I was with the Punjabis. Of course, Iwas not an officer; but I was a really good shot with a rifle, andsucceeded in potting several Pathan chiefs."

  "I suppose," Hallett said, mournfully, "that about the time when Ileave the army as a general, common sense will prevail; and thesword will be done away with, except on state occasions."

  "It is very good of you to look so far ahead, Hallett. It showsthat you have abandoned the idea of leaving the army, even if youagain put on flesh.

  "I ra
ther wonder that you should modestly confine yourself toretiring as a general. Why not strive for the position of a fieldmarshal, who has the possibility of becoming commander in chief? Itmay be, old fellow that, if you shake yourself together, you mayyet attain these dignities. You were always very jovial, on boardship; and I trust that, when we get out of this horrible country,you will regain your normal spirits."

  "I am not so sure that I shall get out of the country; for I oftenfeel disposed to brain you, when you won't let me alone; and I fearthat, one of these days, I may give way to the impulse."

  "You would have to catch me, first," Lisle laughed; "and as Ibelieve that I could run three feet to your one, your chance ofcarrying out so diabolical an impulse would be very small.

  "But here is the boy with our supper, which we have fairly earned,and to which I shall certainly do justice.

  "What have you got, boy?"

  "Half a tin of preserved meat, sah, done up with curry."

  "Let us eat, with thankfulness.

  "How much more curry have we got, boy?"

  "Three bottles, sah."

  "Thank goodness!" said Hallett, "that will last for some time; forreally, tinned beef by itself, when a man is exhausted, isdifficult to get down. I really think that we should address around robin to the P.M.O., begging him to order additional medicalcomforts, every night."

  "You are belying yourself, Hallett. You have taken things very wellas they came, whatever they might be; save for a little grumbling,which does no harm to anyone and, I acknowledge, amuses me verymuch."

  "I have no expectation or design," Hallett grumbled, "but it seemsto amuse you. However, I suppose I must put up with it, till theend."

  "I am afraid you will have to do so, Hallett. It is good for you,and stirs you up; and I shall risk that onslaught you spoke of, aswe go down to the coast again."

  "When will that be, Lisle?"

  "I have not the smallest idea. I should imagine that we shall stay,and give these fellows thrashing after thrashing, until we havecompletely knocked the fight out of them. That won't be done in aday or two. Probably those we have defeated will gather again, inthe course of a day or two; and we shall have to give them severallickings, before we dispose of them altogether."

  The news of the victory at Kokofu spread fast, and the Denkeraspoured in to join the native levies. There was now a pause, whilepreparations were made for a systematic punitive campaign. CaptainWright was sent down to Euarsi, where three thousand Denkera levieshad been collected; and superintended the cutting down of the cropsin the Adansi country, to the south and west. The Akim levies wereto act similarly, in flank, under the command of Captains Willcocksand Benson; while a third body of levies, under Major Cramer,guarded the upper district. A company was sent to Kwisa to guardthe main road, which was now reopened for traffic.

  Convoys went up and down along the entire route, bringing upsupplies of all sorts; but those going north of Fumsu stillrequired strong escorts. Large parties went out foraging, almostdaily, to villages and farms for miles round. These bodies werecompact fighting forces, and took out considerable numbers ofunladen carriers.

  When a village was found the troops surrounded it, while thecarriers searched it for hidden stores. Then they would march awayto other villages, until every carrier had a load; when the forcewould return, and store the results of the raid.

  The remnants of the reconcentrating Ashanti army were reported tobe somewhere in the bush, east of Dompoasi. It was necessary toclear them out before the Adansi country could be subdued, and theline of communication be at all safe. Consequently a flyingcolumn--of four hundred of the West African Field Force, one largeand one small gun of the West Indian Rifles, to be joined by theKwisa company--was despatched, under the command of Major Beddoes,against the enemy. They had to strike out into the bush by almostunknown roads, and great difficulties were encountered.Fortunately, however, they captured a prisoner, who consented tolead them to the enemy's camp, on condition that his life would bespared.

  Three days later, an advance was made on the camp. The column hadhardly started when they were attacked. The enemy held a strongseries of fortified positions; but these were captured, one afteranother.

  A couple of miles farther, they again met with opposition. Theenemy, this time, occupied the bank of a stream. The Maxims at onceopened fire on them, and did such great execution that the Ashantisrapidly became demoralized, and fled. Close to the rear of thisspot was found a newly-constructed stockade, some three hundredyards in length; but the fugitives continued their flight withoutstopping to man it.

  When they advanced a little farther, the force was severelyattacked on all sides. The enemy pushed up to within a few yards ofour men. Once they even attempted to rush the seven pounder; butwere repulsed by the heavy volleys of the West Indian Rifles, whowere serving it. Lieutenant Phillips and Lieutenant Swabey wereseverely wounded, and two other officers slightly so. The Adansismade another desperate attempt to cover their camp, and they werenot finally driven back until nearly dusk.

  It was found that the rebels had discovered the advance of MajorCramer's levies while they were still a day's journey away. Theywere, therefore, not only anxious to repulse our force, so thatthey could fall upon the other one; but were fighting a splendidrear action, so as to cover the retreat of their women, children,and property, which had been gathered there under the belief thatthe existence of the camp was unknown to us.

  Meanwhile, at Bekwai, the list of sick and invalids steadilyincreased; and every convoy that went down to the coast wasaccompanied by a number of white and black victims to the climate.The kits of the men who died realized enormous prices. A box thatcontained three cakes of soap fetched 27 shillings, and a box oftwenty-five cheroots 2 pounds, 2 shillings.

  On the 31st of July a runner arrived, from Pekki, stating that thetown was going to be attacked in force, the next evening, as apunishment for the assistance it had rendered the white men. MajorMelliss was accordingly ordered to proceed thither the followingmorning with two guns, a Hausa company with a Maxim, and a columnof carriers. They were to remain there a day, and put the place ina state of defence; and then they would be joined by a force underColonel Burroughs, which was to complete the relief of Coomassie,by doubling its garrison and supply of stores.

  The little party started, and tramped along the intervening fifteenmiles much more comfortably than usual; as the rains hadtemporarily ceased, and the track had been greatly improved by thekings of Bekwai and Pekki. There was great difficulty in crossingthe bridge over the Ordah river, but the guns were at last takenover safely, and they arrived at Pekki at half-past four in theafternoon.

  They were received with delight by the villagers, who had been in astate of terrible fear. The war chief put his house at the disposalof the officers. Fortunately, no attack was made by the Ashantis.Hasty fortifications were erected, and a rough bamboo barracksbuilt for the force. Here, for the first time since the beginningof the campaign, the Hausas received a small issue of meat, andtheir delight was unbounded.

  Some scouts, who had been sent out in the neighbourhood of thetown, brought in a wounded Hausa who had been left behind in thegovernor's retreat and, for six weeks, had managed to hide himselfin the bush, and live upon roots that he found at night.

  On the afternoon of the 4th of August, Colonel Burroughs and hisforce arrived; bringing with him a fresh half battalion of theCentral African Regiment, with two large guns and two seven-pounders.This raised the total strength to seven hundred and fifty. It wasdecided that it would be necessary to proceed without delay toCoomassie; for no signals had been received from the fort, for twosuccessive Sundays, and there was a rumour that the Ashantis hadagain attacked it. The column therefore moved forward, next day.

  The garrison, when they arrived, was to be brought up to threehundred soldiers and ten white men; the stockades round Coomassiewere to be destroyed; and then the relief column were to fighttheir way down the main road, which had been hitherto closed
forall traffic.

  At first the column met with no opposition but, when they reachedTreda, the people of that place fired heavily upon them. Afterdriving these off the force proceeded, but were soon met by anAshanti force. They attacked only the transport and hospital, andtheir tactics were clever. They had formed a series of ambushes,connected by a broad path. The head of the column was allowed topass, unattacked; then the carriers were fired into heavily and,when the tail of the column passed, they ran along the path to thenext ambush and renewed their tactics.

  Their plan, however, was soon discovered and, in order to checkmateit, a gun was placed in the path, crammed with case shot, theinfantry were got ready to fire in volleys, and a Maxim ranged forrapid fire. Presently the enemy were seen, hurrying along to occupythe next ambush; and the big gun poured its contents into theirmidst, while the troops fired well-directed volleys at them and,when they fled in confusion down the path, the Maxim swept numbersof them away. The attacks immediately ceased, and the columnproceeded on its way; rejoicing that, for once, they had beaten theAshantis at their own game.

  They arrived at the fort at six o'clock in the evening; and foundthat, although the garrison had been harassed by sniping, noserious attack had been made upon them. It was known that therewere still four stockades occupied by the Ashantis; and it wasdecided that two columns, each three hundred strong, should sallyout the next morning, and each carry two of the fortifications. Thecompanies under Lisle and Hallett formed part of the force underMajor Melliss, which was to destroy the stockade on the Bantamaroad; while the other, under Major Cobbe, was to attack that nearthe Kimtampo road. After this had been done, arrangements were tobe made for the attack on the other two stockades.

  The start was made at ten o'clock. At first everything went well.The Basel Mission House was passed and, as they marched on withoutseeing any signs of life, it was believed that no opposition wouldbe met with. They advanced, however, with great caution. Suddenly,news was sent back from the advance guard that the village ofBantama had been sighted, just ahead; and that the enemy wererunning out from it. The force advanced, and found the fires in thevillage still burning. At the other end the track through itdivided; but the defiance signal, a large vulture lyingspread-eagle fashion, showed the line the fugitives had pursued.This was followed and, in a short time, a stockade was seen at thefoot of a slope, some eighty yards away.

  How far it extended into the bush on either side, there was nomeans of knowing; nor could it be ascertained whether it wasdefended, for no signs of life were visible. The carriers wereordered to bring up the Maxim but, before they could get the partsof the gun off their heads, a deafening volley flashed out from thestockade. Several of the carriers fell, wounded by the slugs, andthe rest fled.

  The little weapon, however, was soon put together, and opened fire.But rifle bullets were useless against a six-foot tree trunk. Theenemy, moreover, were firing on our flank, and it was thought thatthey might be working round to attack the rear. An effort wastherefore made to cut a path through the bush, under the impressionthat it was not so thick inside. The jungle grass, however,prevented this from being carried out, and the heavy gun wastherefore ordered up.

  When it began to play upon the fort, as far as could be determined,the enemy's fire grew momentarily heavier. Then it was seen that anumber of men were firing from a high tree, in the rear of thestockade. Colour Sergeant Foster turned a Maxim upon it. He wasseverely wounded on the left shoulder, but he said nothing aboutit, and poured such a shower of lead into the tree that it was, atonce, deserted by the enemy.

  The din was deafening. Every white man belonging to the leadingcompany had been hit, and the ground near the gun and Maxim wasstrewn with the dead and dying.

  Major Melliss gave the word:

  "Mass the buglers, form up left company, and both charge!"

  The buglers stood up, waiting for the word to blow. One of them wasinstantly wounded but, though the blood was streaming down hisface, he stuck to his work. The word "Sound the way!" was given,and the Hausas sprang wildly forward and dashed down the slope,Major Melliss at their head.

  Contrary to custom, the Ashantis were not terrified at the sight ofthe bayonets and, through their loopholes, kept up a heavy fire.The assailants, however, soon reached the stockade. Two white menscrambled up the timbers, which were slippery with blood; andjumped down, eight feet, on the other side, where they were soonjoined by numbers of their men. The enemy, however, stood theirground bravely, and there was a fierce hand-to-hand fight. But thebayonet did its work; and the enemy, who were getting more and moreoutnumbered, at last turned and fled, hotly pursued by the victors.

  A turn in the path revealed the war camp. It was an enormous one,but already the last of its garrison were disappearing in theforest, taking any path that afforded a chance of safety. Theassembly sounded, and the pursuit was abandoned; as another companycame forward, at a steady double, with orders to proceed up theroad to the next village. This they were to burn, and then returnto the war camp.

  The work of destroying the war camp at once began. The troops linedits outskirts, while the carriers cut down and burnt the huts. Thena party set to work to pull down the stockades, which turned out tobe nearly three hundred yards long, and crescent shaped--a factthat explained why we had suffered so severely from crossfire.

  At last, sheets of flame showed that the work was accomplished, andthe company that had gone on in advance returned, and reported thedestruction of the village behind. The little force then gathered,and proceeded to Bantama, a sacred village at which humansacrifices had been perpetrated, for centuries. This place wasrazed to the ground.

  On the left, the sound of continuous firing told that Major Cobbewas still heavily engaged. There was, however, no means of movingthrough the bush to his assistance. The force therefore returned tothe fort.

  It was late before the firing ceased, and Major Cobbe's column camein, with the wounded on hammocks and stretchers. The first twosignal shots had slightly wounded Major Cobbe and a white coloursergeant. After a prolonged fight, the former had finally turnedthe right of the enemy's position, with two companies of theCentral African Regiment; but lost heavily, owing to the thickgrass and slow progress.

  Meanwhile the West African company had engaged a stockade similarto the one we had rushed, but horseshoe in form. Thus our men hadbeen almost completely surrounded by a circle of fire. When,however, the flanking movement had at last been completed, theenemy were charged simultaneously from the front and flank,whereupon they broke and fled. The large war camp behind had beenlooted and burnt, and the stockade pulled down. The guns had failedto penetrate this, and the defenders were only driven out at thepoint of the bayonet, after a fight of two hours' duration.

  The loss had been heavy. Half a dozen white officers were wounded,and seventeen Sikhs had been killed or wounded, out of a total offifty who had gone into action. The total casualties mounted up toseventy.