Seeing the gate open, they made a slight détour, which was but a feint; then rushed madly for the opening.
Outside was the maxim gun!
Does not that one little sentence tell a tale. That maxim gun! How awful its voice. How deathlike its rattle!
Well, the battle was won.
Did they extend mercy to the retreating Arabs? Not very much, I fear. In fact, the freed slaves took up the chase, and in the bush completed the deadly work the maxim gun had begun.
Right faithfully and well had poor Bungle done his duty. But, poor fellow, it was noticed at once he was not among the new comers, who consisted chiefly of men from the other cruiser under the command of the first lieutenant, a larger vessel than the Breezy.
Kep hastened to inquire about his little friend.
"He arrived at the place where you left your gun and boats," was the reply, "almost dead. He had only time to tell your fellows that assistance was sorely needed and that they must take the gun and follow your trail, when he fainted. Your men came off to our ship, and here we are."
"But the boy is not dead?" Kep asked anxiously.
"I fear that by this time he is."