ng scant
attention to the progress of their comrades in the assault. Bela Moshi
afterwards declared that they were squabbling over the possession of a
small keg of rum, which was to them a far more important business than
the attack upon the kraal. Their European non-commissioned officer was
absent, otherwise the laxity of discipline would not have been taking
place.

Apparently there were no infantry reserves. If there were, they were
posted at a considerable distance from the machine gun position. It
was, therefore, expedient to make a surprise attack with fire-arms,
since the noise was immaterial as far as alarming the supports, and
very efficacious in throwing the machine gunners into a state of
demoralization.

Of the six Askaris forming the detachment five dropped at the first
volley; the sixth, after first rolling on the ground, sprang into the
bush, followed by a couple of shots the effect of which was not known.

Smartly Bela Moshi picked up the gun and tripod; a Rhodesian corporal
and a trooper seized the box containing the ammunition. Then, preceded
by a sergeant and followed by Wilmshurst and the remaining man, the
raiders bore off their trophy.

Followed by the ineffectual fire of the two sentries the squad doubled.
By the sounds in the rear it was evident that the alarm had been
communicated to the reserves, as the hurried patter of bare feet and
the excited orders of the German section commanders announced that the
men were aware of the loss of the machine gun. Musketry fire was
opened upon the retiring raiders, but in the darkness the shots whizzed
harmlessly overhead.

The haphazard fire was, however, taking toll amongst the attackers who,
already casualties, were crawling or walking back from the palisade. A
German officer, hit in the left arm, blundered right upon the captured
weapon and its escort. For the moment he was puzzled, knowing that
orders had been issued for the machine-gun party to remain in their
original position. Then, distinguishing the British uniform, he drew a
pistol and shouted to the party to surrender.

"Surrender yourself!" exclaimed the Rhodesian sergeant, raising his
revolver.

The Hun's reply was a shot that nicked the lobe of the non-com.'s right
ear. Almost immediately the latter returned the compliment, shooting
the German dead on the spot.

"Sorry," muttered the Rhodesian apologetically, for he had respect for
a brave foe. "You asked for it, Fritz."