ee how I
can help myself." He therefore nodded and patted the gun handed him,
showing that he knew well how to use it. The chiefs marched forward in
high spirits, congratulating each other beforehand on the victory they
expected to achieve. Ned kept by Mohammed's side, carrying the chief's
gun as well as his own, an honour he would gladly have dispensed with.

About noon the force halted to dine, and two hours afterwards they came
in sight, from the top of slightly elevated ground, of a stockaded
enclosure, the interior filled with huts on the side of a gentle slope.
The chiefs pointed towards it and addressed their followers, who replied
with loud shouts. Ned guessed that it was the place about to be
attacked. No other enemies had been seen, and the village did not
appear capable of holding out against so formidable a force. The Arabs,
expecting to gain an easy victory, advanced in loose order to the
attack. While one party rushed at the gate to break it open, the
remainder halting fired their muskets, but as the stockades were thick
no injury was inflicted on the garrison. Not a missile was shot in
return. Emboldened by this they were advancing close up to the
stockade, when suddenly a shower of bullets, accompanied by a flight of
arrows, came whistling about their heads. Several of the attacking
party fell dead, pierced through and through, two or three of the chief
Arabs being among them, while others were badly wounded.

Mohammed, taking his gun from Ned's hand and shouting his battle cry,
rushed forward, firing as he advanced. In the meantime the gate had
been opened. Many of the Arabs and a large number of their followers
sprang in. No resistance was offered. Others were about to follow when
the gate was shut, and directly afterwards the sharp rattle of musketry
was heard, mingled with the shouts of the Arabs and the shrieks and
cries of the negroes, but not a shot, was fired at those outside. Then
there came an ominous silence. Suddenly it was broken by renewed
firing, but this time the shots were directed towards the assailants,
who were still pressing on to the walls. In vain they attempted to
force the gate, numbers were falling; already half their number, with
those cut to pieces inside the village, were killed or wounded, and
Mohammed, calling his followers round him, retreated, leaving all the
dead and many of the worst wounded behind to the mercy of the victors.
They hurried on until the