"Bwana," he said, "man ober dere."
He pointed towards the western end of the island. Ferrier sprang up, seizing rifle and revolver: surely the enemy had not crossed the river in the darkness and crept round to attack the fort from this side? Hastening to the wall, he mounted upon it and peered into the night. Nothing could be seen. But in a moment he thought he heard a faint sound. He listened intently: yes, he heard it again; it was a kind of whinny--the signal he had arranged with Coja in case he should return after sunset. The men were safe, then; he rejoiced for their own sake, and because it meant the addition of three good rifles to the morrow's defence. Calling up two of the men, he had the canoe lowered and carried down to the water, himself accompanying them, since he could never be sure that unreasoning panic might not seize them. The canoe was launched and paddled quietly to the farther shore of the pool. Two men stepped down to meet it: they were Coja and the askari.
"Where is Said Mohammed?" asked Ferrier.
"Him gone, sah," replied Coja: "dunno where he are."
"You lost him?"
"Long long way ober dere."
"Before it was dark?"
"Long time, sah,"
"Did you look for him?"
"Oh yes, sah, look for him long time, sure nuff."