porting in characteristically
native terms that the German's head had been literally riddled with the
burst of bullets from the Maxim. They brought his rifle and
ammunition, his field glasses and a small electric battery. In
connection with the latter wires were run from the sniper's lair to the
bush from which the puffs of smoke had been seen. Here small charges
of black powder had been placed so as to be exploded from a safe
distance and thus deceive the Haussas as to the rifleman's actual
position. The Hun was a bit of a strategist, but he had overreached
himself. It was the dense smoke from the black powder that had given
him away. Had he used the so-called smokeless powder the Haussas might
have expended hundreds of rounds without discovering the cheat.

Wilmshurst examined the weapon that had so nearly done him in. It was
an improved Mauser, bearing the German Government proof mark and the
date 1917, and was fitted with the latest approved type of telescopic
sight, while on the muzzle was fixed a small metal cylinder that
effectually silenced the report.

"That's strange, sir," he remarked to the major. "We distinctly heard
the report."

"We did," agreed the company commander. "I cannot understand it unless
the Boche for some reason fired several rounds with the silencer
removed. If so, why?"

Before the discussion could be carried further a dull, booming sound
came from behind the table-land of M'ganga, while at a little height
behind the German position appeared the mushroom-like cloud of white
smoke as the shrapnel burst.

"Good!" ejaculated the company commander, replacing his binoculars.
"We've had the orchestral selection; the curtain rises on the First
Act."

CHAPTER XII

THE STORMING OF M'GANGA

A loud whirring noise audible above the distant cannonade announced
that the seaplane was passing overhead to participate in the strafing
of Fritz. Of necessity the airmen had to fly high in order to avoid
being hit by the British shrapnel, but the summit of M'Ganga offered a
big target and the bombs were soon dropping merrily upon the trenches,
dug-outs, and storehouses of von Lindenfelt's position.

In a very few minutes the table-land was enveloped in a piebald pall of
smoke, yet no return fire came from the two 4.1 inch guns that were
known to be with von Lindenfelt's column. Apart from the bursting
shells and bombs there were no evidences of movement in the Huns'
stronghold--a ci