In the afternoon after the fight with the Tubus, Challis was reclining on a moss-covered rock near the cave—he could not endure the atmosphere of that close-packed habitation.
He was thinking things over, wondering whether, after his first victory, he dared lead his men towards the fort to encounter the main body of the enemy under their redoubtable leader Goruba.
Suddenly he was aware of some excitement among the crowd of natives just beyond the mouth of the cave. Could the Tubus be returning to the attack?
He sprang up, intending to reassure himself on this point. But at this moment John came running towards him, his broad face contorted by a grin.
"What is it, John?" Challis asked.
To his surprise John burst into loud laughter, slapping his thighs, bending his body, now and then pointing towards the swamp and doubling with laughter again.
"Come, come, what is the joke?" asked Challis.
"Oh, my! Oh, dear! Oh my lawks!" spluttered the Hausa. "Ober dar, sah, ober dar."
"Well? Stop laughing, and tell me about it."
John controlled himself with difficulty.