The machine gun was being dragged by its crew between the two companies of sailors. As the head of the column entered the stream it was found that the water was deeper than where it had been crossed nearer its mouth. Phil and Sydney were told to warn the machine gun’s crew, and have the rear company give aid if they needed it to get the gun across safely.
The midshipmen left the head of the column just as it was on the point of entering the mountain stream. Phil looked behind as they ran rapidly back toward the machine gun.
“The water’s above the men’s waists,” he exclaimed.
Lieutenant Morrison was waiting at the machine gun when Phil arrived to tell him of the depth of the stream which they were about to cross.
“Childers,” the lieutenant said quietly to the gunner’s mate in charge of the delicate weapon, “better dismount the gun and have it carried across by hand. We cannot afford to run the risk of getting the mechanism wet.” He looked about him and Phil read apprehension in his eyes. “I think it would have been wiser to have returned by the beach road,” he added uncomplainingly, but Phil thought only too truly.
“Aye, aye, sir,” Childers replied, and as the gun carriage was brought to a stop four men picked up the gun, raising it upon their shoulders. Childers removed the breech mechanism for fear it would fall out. The men with the gun on their shoulders waded into the icy cold water.
The advance company had gone on barely a hundred yards beyond the river, and there had halted to permit the rear company and the machine gun to catch up.
The men on the drag ropes of the gun mount were on dry land when the midshipmen left Lieutenant Morrison, with whom they had been walking, and started ahead to rejoin the leader.
A savage cry from out the jungle on the left brought the entire command to immediate attention. The cry was taken up and increased in volume until the woods rang, and then suddenly came a scattering volley of musketry fire.
Phil and Sydney drew their revolvers. They had halted, gazing in bewilderment into the dense bush, from which there continued to come a multitude of savage shouts with a scorching rifle fire. The sailors ahead had deployed along the road and were excitedly but blindly firing.