guns and rockets had got to work the order was given to
advance. And now, in a few moments, the scene was changed. Hitherto
our men had been fighting more or less silently, their rifles alone
breaking the stillness, with an occasional boom of a gun or rocket, or a
bugle-call. But as the advance was sounded, and the men plunged into
the bush to hunt the enemy from his favourite lair, there was a British
cheer, and then the roar of savage natives. The dusky levies whom we
had enlisted, and who had done admirably in this action, were now the
avengers. They slung their muskets, drew their long knives and native
swords, and plunged with shrieks of delight into the forest. And
numbers of Ashantis died that day at their hands, thereby paying the
penalty of many an atrocity.

The engagement had lasted fully five hours, and during all that time
Dick and his little party had kept together, and had fired continuously.
Thanks to their previous experience, they were able to undertake this
new class of warfare with more knowledge than their comrades. They kept
in couples, and each couple retained its touch with that on either side
by means of shouting, and in this order they left the tracks, and crept
right into the woods.

"Our own side know where we are and what we are doing, so we will hold
our fire whenever I signal," said Dick. "That means advance again some
thirty yards, keep close to the ground. Then, when we are quite near
the enemy I will whistle, and we will pour in our volleys."

For an hour it had been impossible to carry out this manoeuvre, but
gradually, as the Highlanders drove the enemy farther into the woods,
Dick and his men advanced. Their method of attack proved disastrous to
the Ashantis, for on several occasions the latter were so occupied with
the fire from the Highlanders that they did not notice the silent
approach of the sailors, and these men were able to get to quite close
quarters. Then Dick's whistle sounded, a terrific volley was poured in,
and at once the whole party were on their feet, charging down upon the
enemy.

It was not a matter of surprise, after such a stern engagement, to find
that every one of this gallant band was wounded, one sailor being
entirely disabled by a slug through his thigh. The remainder had many
wounds, but none of them were very serious; and later, when the
overworked surgeons had a moment to spare, a few small dressings and
strips of plaster were sufficient.