That night Crouch and Edward decided to attack. They had now a large supply of ammunition, and Max, who had finished his duties as doctor, was free to take his place in the ranks.
Max and M'Wané approached the stockade along the river bank from the south, Crouch and another Fan from the north, whereas Edward and the two others descended from the hills.
There was no moon when they crept upon the garrison from three sides at once, moving cautiously forward on hands and knees through the sand. When about fifty paces distant, each party lay still and listened for the signal to assault. This was to come from Crouch, who could imitate to the life the jackal's howl.
Max and M'Wané, lying close as hares, waited for the signal to come. They could hear the wild beasts in the jungle, and now and again a faint, piercing cry, as some animal was seized in the strong jaws of a leopard or a lion. The great cats were hunting like the white men who surrounded the stockade.
Then the long-drawn howl of a jackal was lifted in the night, and at that those seven men sprang to their feet and rushed upon the defence.
The Arabs had been warned. On the instant fire flashed from the loop-holes. The night was alive with the whistling of bullets, which dived into the water of the river or flew into the forest to send little leaves fluttering to the ground, or buried themselves in the trunks of gigantic trees.
On the east Edward was driven back. Before he reached the ditch one of his men had been wounded, and there he found it would be certain death to endeavour to scale the stockade.
Max and Crouch on the other side were more successful. It was the former who was the first to reach the gate, and endeavour to force it open. The man who was there on guard put his shoulder to the business, and for a few seconds a struggle took place the issue of which was doubtful.
At one time Max had the door ajar, but the man or men on the other side forced it back inch by inch until it was nearly closed. It was then that M'Wané came to Max's assistance; and immediately after, the opening in the door grew wider by degrees.
Had this affair been fought to a finish, it is beyond question that Max and M'Wané would have gained the fort, but it was at this moment that the unexpected occurred. A rapid burst of firing came from the river, from the northern extremity of the lake. A stream of bullets flew past, and many splintered the woodwork of the gate which had been the bone of contention from the first.