es stuck into the ground, their tips
cunningly hidden by dead leaves--which were responsible for a few
casualties as the Haussas' bare feet came in contact with the barbs.
These devices the blacks countered by means of implements shaped like
exaggerated hoes which they pushed in front of them.

Other defensive measures were heavy logs suspended by boughs
overhanging the path by means of light but strong wires. An unwary
footfall would release a catch which in turn would cause the baulk of
timber to crash to the earth. There were old muskets, charged to
bursting point with slugs and nails, which were fired by similar
devices, while on three occasions fougasses, or land-mines, were
exploded, fortunately without causing casualties. The Haussas, not to
be outdone by their Askari foes, had taken the precaution of driving
oxen well in front of the advance guard, and although six beasts had
been killed by infernal machines, the troops succeeded in crossing the
belt of forest with a loss of five men slightly wounded.

"The explosion of those fougasses has knocked on the head our chances
of delivering a surprise attack," remarked the company commander to
Wilmshurst. "It will be a frontal attack against a prepared foe.
Let's hope the Huns won't bolt."

"That's the general opinion, sir," replied the subaltern. "The men are
simply longing for a scrap. Fritz has thrown away one good chance. He
might have played Old Harry with us if he had posted a couple of
companies in ambush in the forest."

"I wasn't sorry to get clear of the place," admitted the major. "A
hundred men might have been lying in wait in those underglades and our
flankers wouldn't spot 'em. Hullo, here's the seaplane."

Flying at a comparatively low altitude the machine approached rapidly
"down wind." In the clear atmosphere the concentric red, white, and
blue circles that indicated its nationality were visible from a great
distance, while presently the features of the observer could be
distinguished as he leant over the side of the fuselage.

Presently a small object to which coloured streamers were attached was
dropped from the seaplane. Greatly to the curiosity of the blacks, who
watched the descending message with undisguised wonderment, the object
did not explode on reaching the ground as they fully expected it to do;
and it was with an absurd display of caution that Tari Barl and Blue
Fly went to receive it.

"The C.O--sharp!" ordered Wilmshu