is anticipations were shattered.

"We'll have him out of their clutches, at all events," he soliloquised
as he cautiously signed to Bela Moshi to withdraw.

Regaining the patrol Wilmshurst explained how matters stood, and a
decision was quickly formed to attack immediately, taking advantage of
the lax state of the hostile party, without waiting for them to
approach the previously selected spot for the ambush.

Dismounting and leaving their trained horses under the charge of a
piquet the men cautiously made their way through the scrub until they
were within eighty yards of the still unsuspecting Huns.

Extending the Rhodesians took up their desired position on a
semi-circular formation, enabling each one to fire should necessity
arise without the risk of hitting one of his own party, at the same
time making it almost a matter of impossibility for the ambushed Huns
to break away without being shot down.

A whistle sounded. Up sprang the curved line of khaki-clad troopers,
each man covering one of the enemy with his rifle, while a stern order
to surrender immediately was given to the completely astonished Germans.

The Askaris obeyed the command without demur, but the Germans were made
of stiffer material. Throwing themselves at full length they grasped
their rifles.

It was a signal for the Rhodesians to open fire--and the Huns paid the
penalty. In less than a minute the action was over. The Askaris were
unarmed and ordered to take themselves off, their rifles having been
broken and the bolts removed.

Wilmshurst hastened to the prisoner, who at the opening fire had rolled
on the ground by the side of a fallen tree. The subaltern found him
lying face downwards, unable to rise, his wrists and ankles being
secured by thongs of raw hide.

With a couple of strokes of his knife Dudley severed the bonds and
assisted the released captive to his feet, for the man was so exhausted
that he was incapable of standing unsupported.

"You're all right now," said the subaltern reassuringly. "Can you sit
in a saddle for----"

"Good heavens!--Dudley!" exclaimed the gaunt and haggard prisoner.

It was Wilmshurst's turn to be dumfounded. He stepped back a pace and
looked the rescued man Intently in the face. Was it possible that this
human wreck was his once well-set-up and powerfully-built brother?

"Rupert!" he exclaimed dubiously.

"That's me," rejoined the other. "Rather, what's left of me."

"Found an old pal?