rs was seen descending, evidently with the intention of
attacking the artillery. The small body of British immediately prepared
for the expected encounter. Most of the enemy were on foot, though
some, evidently chiefs, from their gorgeous scarlet costumes, were
mounted. The Naval Brigade, hastening up the Afficho plateau, got their
rocket tubes into position to receive the advancing mass of the foe.
Their position was critical in the extreme. Should the Abyssinians push
forward they might be overwhelmed by numbers. Without thinking of that,
however, they began blazing away with their rockets, every missile
telling fearfully among the crowded ranks of Theodore's troops, who,
brave as they were, appeared to be thrown into confusion. Tom looked
round to see what support was coming. At first the thought flashed upon
him that he and his companions must be annihilated by the overwhelming
hordes of barbarians rapidly approaching. Young Alick was thinking much
the same thing, but no sign of fear was exhibited in his countenance.

"I suppose, Mr Rogers, we shall have a pretty hard fight for it?" he
remarked; "but we won't let them take our rocket tubes at all events."

"No fear of that," answered Tom. "See, the troops are advancing."

While he was speaking, one party of the Abyssinians was seen coming
towards the artillery and baggage guard, who were, however, prepared to
receive them, while another larger party, taking a different course,
hurried on to battle, for now over the rugged ground the red coats of
the British were seen making their way as skirmishers in front, the
rapid crack of their rifles being heard as they got within range of the
enemy.

The troops now engaged consisted of the King's Own Regiment, with the
Belochees, and a detachment of the Royal Engineers and Bombay Sappers,
the men cheering lustily as they saw their enemy before them. At the
same time two companies of the 4th Regiment, with a body of pioneers,
attacked the enemy on their flank, pouring in rapid discharges from
their Snider rifles, the rockets whizzing again and again through their
ranks, while the artillery produced equal havoc.

All this time the enemy's guns had been playing on the British columns,
but, owing to their elevated position, their fire was plunging, while
their shot, from the use of too heavy charges of powder, ranged too far
to do any harm. The seamen continued to fire their rockets among the
mass of Abyssinians un