The Tubus halted in amazement when their eyes fell on the broken bridge. They looked this way and that in search of the prisoners, and Royce, watching them through the rushes, feared that they might turn tail and retreat. But after a few minutes they hastened forward, scanning the farther bank to see if by some unknown means the prisoners had been able to cross the river.
When they had almost reached the bridge-head, Royce stepped quickly from his hiding-place with the armed Hausas, and ordered John to call to the Tubus. At the shout they swung round, and saw facing them a white man and seven Hausas covering them with rifles.
John called to them to surrender and throw down their arms. For a moment they hesitated; then, recognising that between the rifles and the river there was no escape, they cast their own weapons on the ground and made signs of submission.
At Royce's instruction John ordered them to move away along the bank of the river. Then six of the Hausas advanced, took their rifles, and returned. And then the whole band of liberated prisoners sprang up from among the rushes, and the place rang with their shouts of delight.
CHAPTER X
IN HOT PURSUIT
"Now for the next move," said Royce to Challis. "Feel better, old man?"
"Much! It's so good to see you again. But I'm fairly crocked."
"Never mind that. You'll be all right after a rest. We mustn't lose any time, though. Can you tell me how far back the horsemen left you?"
"Two or three miles, I think. They went off to the left; of course I didn't know why, though I see now."