rcumstance that caused the Waff officers to wonder
deeply and mutter under their breath.

"Fix bayonets!"

The sharp click of the weapons being fixed to the rifles rattled along
the line of excited Haussas. Then in open order the blacks hurried
forward to take cover. Nor did any hostile bullet seek to check their
progress. Without hindrance the black and khaki steel-tipped line
gained a pre-arranged position within four hundred yards of the base of
M'Ganga plateau.

Here the men were halted to take a "breather" before essaying the final
task, while the company officers foregathered, consulting their
synchronised watches. In another ten minutes--five minutes before the
time for the bombardment to cease--the Haussas were to start on their
desperate frontal attack.

"How goes it?" enquired Wilmshurst of Jock Spofforth, as the giant
strolled leisurely across from the platoon.

"Rotten," admitted the other candidly. His big fingers were trembling
slightly as he applied a match to a cigarette. "First time going into
action, you know. It's the hanging about business that gets on a
fellow's nerves."

"You'll be all right when the advance sounds," declared Dudley. "I
felt like it once."

"Simply had to stroll over and have a palaver with you," continued
Spofforth. "I was afraid that my men would spot my hands trembling.
Hope the Boches are standing. Hang it all! Why did nature let me grow
to this height?"

Spofforth was laughing now. The mental tension of the seemingly
interminable wait was over.

"Two minutes more--hop it, old man," cautioned Wilmshurst. "The best
of luck."

The whistles sounded. Almost immediately, as if by some uncanny means
the distant gunners saw that the infantry were in motion, the strafe
ceased. Overhead the seaplane still circled. The bomb-dropping part
of their task completed the airmen lingered to watch the advance, and
if occasion offered to assist the storming troops by means of their
Lewis gun.

The natural features of the face of the plateau made the ascent a
difficult one. Often the Haussas had to climb upon their comrades'
shoulders, and in return help them to surmount an awkward terrace; yet
everything considered the triple line was well maintained, the blacks
needing no encouragement from their white officers, who, perspiring
freely in every pore, were well ahead of their men.

The summit at last. Well-nigh breathless, Wilmshurst, although by no
means the fi