irmen were lucky in being able to find a fairly open
stretch of ground, but the unexpected happened. The floats of the
seaplane skidded over the hard ground and caught against some
obstruction, with the result that the machine was badly damaged, the
pilot and observer being thrown violently.

Forty miles from their base the airmen realised that it was almost out
of the question to make their way on foot through the scrub, especially
as there were several small rivers to be negotiated. So they decided
to find the bivouac of the Waffs which they had spotted on their
outward flight. According to their estimate the distance was about
eight miles, but in reality it was almost twice that distance.

Owing to the intense heat they were compelled to discard their
overalls. Their foot gear was totally inadequate against the thorns
and stony ground. Without water and with only a bar of chocolate
between them they experienced terrible hardships before they sighted
their temporary refuge.

Their chief anxiety was now the question whether the seaplane could be
recovered. On this score their minds were set at rest, when the
colonel promised to send out a fatigue party to dismantle the machine
and transport it to the banks of the Runkoma, a small stream
sufficiently wide to allow the seaplane to taxi provided the floats
were still intact.

"You might take that job on, Mr. Wilmshurst," remarked his company
commander. "Your platoon will be just about sufficient to provide the
necessary labour, and also a covering party, although I don't
contemplate any trouble from the Huns. We've just heard that Fritz has
had a nasty smack at Motungba, which more than counterbalances his
recent success against the Portuguese on the Rovuma."

The action to which the major referred was a brilliant little affair on
the part of the main column operating in the Rovuma valley. The Huns
were found to be in a strong natural position, the defence of which was
further increased by well-constructed trenches and entanglements.

Notwithstanding the difficulties of a frontal attack, a Punjabi
regiment stormed the defences, the Indians making terrific havoc with
bombs. The Askaris broke and fled, the Germans alone putting up a
fight until they were either killed or captured. The native levies in
their flight were overtaken and cut up by a squadron of colonial horse,
and with slight loss the Imperial forces scored a dashing little
victory, capturing f