The boy ran off, disappeared in the forest, and in twenty minutes was seen speeding back again.
"You have an answer?" asked Tom.
"Him look at paper, den laugh and talk to other man; me no savvy what say. Den he tell me all right."
"In English?"
"Yes, sah, he talk English same as me."
It was not long before a party of men emerged from the forest beyond the clearing, and halted. There were ten askaris, one of whom carried a white flag; and in the tall German accompanying them Tom recognised the officer who had been his fellow-passenger on the Hedwig von Wissmann months before.
Collecting the ten men whom he had already chosen, Tom passed out through the barricade and advanced to meet the German.
"Good day, Mr. Willoughby," said Major von Rudenheim, saluting. "You will remember me, no doubt. We were on board the Hedwig von Wissmann together."
"I remember you, Major," replied Tom, a little puzzled by this tone of friendliness; "but I was not aware that I had come within your line of vision."
"Oh yes, I saw you," returned the major with a slight smile, "and I have heard a good deal about you since. But you have got yourself into a very awkward position, young man."