Wilmshurst saluted and withdrew to make his brief preparations. Having given Tari Barl instructions to pack his kit the subaltern sent for Sergeant Bela Moshi.
"Find me a man who can ride well," he said.
A broad grin overspread the Haussa non-com.'s face.
"No go for look, sah," he replied. "Me know one time quick. Good man; him ride like de wind."
"Then bring him here," continued Wilmshurst.
"Him here, sah—me, Bela Moshi."
"I didn't know that you could ride," remarked the subaltern dubiously, fancying that Bela Moshi in his desire to accompany him was inventing a fairy tale concerning his equestrian abilities.
"Me one-time groom in Freetown, sah," declared Bela Moshi. "Me lib for ride any old hoss till him bust."
"I'll try you," announced Wilmshurst. "If you are wasting my time look out for squalls."
At the lines where the horses were picketed the Haussa picked out a powerful-looking brute—a "salted" Cape horse which had shown considerable temper at previous times.