enemy never awaited our charge. They fled instantly, and so great was
their terror that they actually threw down their arms, in order to
facilitate their flight.

On gaining the camp, however, I found, to my sorrow, that we had done
the thing only too vigorously; for we had not only put the enemy to
flight, but we had also frightened away those whom we had come to
deliver!

At this point in the engagement I came to learn how incompetent I was to
command men in cases of emergency, for here my presence of mind utterly
forsook me. In my anxiety to capture Mbango and his friends I ordered
an immediate pursuit. Then it occurred to me that, in the event of my
men being successful in overtaking the fugitives, they would instantly
murder them all, so I tried to call them back; but, alas! they did not
understand my words, and they were by this time so excited as to be
beyond all restraint. In a few minutes I found myself left alone in the
enemy's camp, and heard the shouts of pursued and pursuers growing
gradually fainter and more distant, as they scattered themselves through
the jungle.

Seating myself by the fire in a state of mind bordering on despair, I
buried my face in my hands, and endeavoured to collect myself, and
consider what, under the circumstances, should be now done.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR PURSUING THE ENEMY, AND SUDDEN CHANGE OF PLANS.

"You seem to be taking it easy, old boy," said a voice close to my
elbow.

I started, and looked up hastily.

"Ah! Peterkin. You there?"

"Ay; and may I not reply, with some surprise, _you here_?"

"Truly you may,--but what could I do? The men ran away from me, whether
I would or no; and you are aware I could not make myself understood, not
being able to--But where is Jack?"

I asked this abruptly, because it occurred to me at that moment that he
and Peterkin should have been together.

"Where is Jack?" echoed Peterkin; "I may ask that of you, for I am
ignorant on the point. He and I got separated in endeavouring to escape
from the scrimmage caused by your valiant attack. You seem to have
scattered the whole force to the winds. Oh, here he is, and Mak along
with him."

Jack and our guide came running into the camp at that moment.

"Well, Ralph, what of Okandaga?"

"Ah! what of her indeed?" said Peterkin. "I forgot her. You don't moan
to say she was not in the camp?"

"Indeed she was," said I, "and so were Mbango, and his wife N