still in progress, and until all resistance was at an end
Wilmshurst had no time for other things.

Acting upon his company commander's orders the subaltern took charge of
the task of clearing out the dug-outs, while the remaining platoons of
"A" and "B" Companies re-formed, and hastened to the support of their
comrades who were still hotly engaged.

"If we only had a supply of bombs!" thought Dudley as he watched the
ineffectual attempt of his men to induce the occupants of a deep
shelter to surrender.

Half a dozen Haussas were gathered round the entrance firing volleys
into the cavernous depths, and punctuating the fusillade by
quaintly-worded threats of what they would do if the Bosh-bosh didn't
"show hand up one time bery much quick."

Bidding his men be silent, Wilmshurst demanded the surrender of the
Germans in the dug-out. Hearing a British officer's voice one of the
Huns replied defiantly:

"We no surrender make to a schweinhund Englander. We food haf for six
week, an' you cannot hurt us."

"Can't we, by Jove!" replied Wilmshurst. "Sergeant, bring along that
box of bombs."

"Bery good, sah," said Bela Moshi, grinning as he hurried away a few
steps on a phantom errand.

"Now, then," continued the subaltern. "I give you one minute to make
up your minds; if you refuse to surrender we'll blow you to blazes. I
take the time from now."

Half a minute passed in absolute silence as far as the vicinity of the
dug-out was concerned, although three or four hundred yards away the
desultory firing still continued. Three quarters of a minute: there
was a shuffling sound from the subterranean retreat and the guttural
voice of several Huns engaged in excited debate.

"Fifty seconds!" announced Wilmshurst. "Ten seconds more."

"Do not t'row der pomb; we surrender make!" implored a voice.

"Out you come, then; one at a time," ordered Dudley.

With his revolver ready for instant action should the Huns display any
signs of treachery the subaltern awaited the appearance of his
captives, while the Haussas stood by to back up their young officer
should necessity arise.

The first to appear was the junior lieutenant, looking very scared.
Finding that nothing occurred to cause him physical hurt he held his
arms high above his head, at the same time saying something to his
unseen companions.

Then came Hauptmann von Argerlich, pale-faced under his sun-burnt
complexion. He had good cause to feel afraid, for he