of Good Hope, while there were rumours,
hitherto unconfirmed, that an armed raider was at large in the South
Atlantic.

Provided the convoy kept together there was little danger in daytime in
that direction, but the possibilities of the raider making a sudden
dash during the hours of darkness and using gun and torpedo with
disastrous results could not be overlooked.

The issue of lifebelts to the native troops puzzled them greatly. They
could not understand the precaution, for they were ignorant of the
danger of making voyages in war-time. Their faith in the "big canoes"
of King George was so firm that, sea-sickness notwithstanding, they had
no doubts or fears concerning their safe arrival in the land where
Briton, Boer, Indian and African were doing their level best to stamp
out the blight of German kultur.

At four bells (2 a.m.) on the fifth day of the voyage Wilmshurst was
roused from his sleep by a commotion on deck. Men were running hither
and thither carrying out a series of orders shouted in stentorian
tones. The _Zungeru_ was altering course without slackening speed,
listing noticeably to starboard as the helm was put hard over.

Almost at the same time Laxdale awoke.

"What's up?" he enquired drowsily.

"I don't know," replied his companion. "I can hear Spofforth and
Danvers going on deck. Let's see what's doing."

Acting upon this suggestion the two officers hastily donned their great
coats over their pyjamas, slipped their feet into their canvas slices
and went on deck.

It was a calm night. The crescent moon was low down in the western
sky, but its brilliance was sufficient to enable objects to be seen
distinctly. Silhouetted against the slanting beams was the escorting
cruiser, which was pelting along at full speed and overhauling the
_Zungeru_ hand over fist. Although the cruiser and her convoy were
without steaming lights the former's yard-arm lamp was blinking out a
message in Morse.

The transports were in "double column line ahead," steaming due west
instead of following the course that would bring them within sight of
Table Bay. Less than a cable's length on the starboard column's beam
was the cruiser. She had already overtaken two of the transports, and
was now lapping the _Zungeru's_ quarter.

The object of this nocturnal display of activity was now apparent.
Less than a mile away was a large steamer, which had just steadied on
her helm and was now on a parallel course to t