Sinclair during his stand at bay, had thought of the swastika; but he had great doubts whether the highly-excited warriors would pay heed to the symbol that had so greatly impressed Sibenga himself.
It seemed hardly likely; and on that account Colin decided that an amulet was a sorry defence against the cruel, stabbing assegais. So he had declined the experiment, preferring to face his foes as bravely as he knew how, rather than to seek a doubtful mercy through the medium of a barbaric charm.
Happening to glance at his right shoulder, he was surprised to see that his shirt was torn and that the swastika was exposed. In the excitement the amulet which he wore round his neck must have slipped. In its present position it had turned the point of an assegai, the blade of the weapon inflicting a slight scratch that Colin hardly noticed until he saw the blood staining his shirt-sleeve.
For the next five minutes the relative position of pursuers and pursued underwent no appreciable change. Treacle was running splendidly and showing no sign of distress.
The two chums were congratulating themselves on the fact, when the animal began to slow down.
Very reluctantly Treacle was being vanquished. The heavy burden, the hard ground and the blazing sun, and the thundery weather all went against him; and although his spirit was equal to the task, his bodily strength was failing him.
In vain Desmond coaxed the jaded animal. His pace fell away to such an extent that both Colin and Tiny saw with considerable apprehension that the warriors were gaining rapidly.
Of the original pursuers several had fallen out, leaving about fifteen or eighteen athletic warriors to enjoy the pleasurable task of overtaking and assegaiing the two white men.
"Any ammunition handy?" asked Colin. "Mine's finished."
"Take half a dozen cartridges from my belt, old man," replied Tiny. "We'll give the beggars a run for their money. Poor old Treacle!"