r way."

But this dictum was greeted by the refugees with a howl of dismay. If
they went on further, why, then they were already dead, they protested.
Would not the great white lords protect them? They would be safe within
the shadow of their camp. Even Mushad would not dare interfere with
them there.

"Wouldn't he?" said Haviland, in English. "I'm pretty sure he would--
and will. These wretched devils have just about brought a hornet's nest
about our ears, I more than expect. What are we to do, doctor?"

"Why, get out into more open country and beat them off. I figure out
that this is just the way Mushad would take, in any event; so, perhaps,
it's just as well these poor devils turned up to warn us."

"What do you say, Oakley?"

"I'm entirely with the doctor."

"Right. A couple of miles ahead, by the lay of the ground, we ought to
find just the position we want."

Within ten minutes of the order being issued the camp was struck. Every
man took up his load, and the whole line filed briskly forth through the
steaming, sweltering forenoon heat. There was no hanging back. The
excitement of impending battle lent a springiness to the step of some,
the instinct of self-preservation to that of others; the refugees the
while chanting the most fulsome praises in honour of their new
protectors.

"There's the very place we want!" cried Haviland, when they had thus
advanced a couple of miles. "Looks as if it had been made on purpose."

The ground had been growing more and more open, and now the spot to
which he referred was a ring of trees surmounting a rise. This would
afford an excellent defensive position if they were called upon to
fight, and ample concealment in any case. In an inconceivably short
space of time the whole expedition was safely within it.

Nor had they been long there before the instinct of their leaders
realised that they had gained the place none too soon. Something like a
flash and gleam in the far distance caught their glance, to disappear
immediately, then reappearing again. The three white men, with their
powerful glasses, soon read the meaning of this. It was the gleam of
arms. A very large force indeed was advancing, taking a line which
should bring it very near their position. Would they be discovered and
attacked; or would the enemy, for such he undoubtedly was, fail to
detect their presence and pass on? Well, the next hour would decide.

CHAPTER TWENTY.

MUSHAD T