16 FROM THE NIGER TO THE NILE 



When we were about five miles from the town Tubus 

 were sighted just across the river, hovering upon our left 

 flank. And now throughout the day a running fight ensued 

 and the caravan toiled painfully along through the heat, 

 enveloped in the dust of charging horsemen. At times 

 the scouts got in touch with small bodies of the enemy 

 on the near bank, but these would not wait to be 

 charged, and always galloped ofi at once back across the 

 river. 



Presently, as we came out of a stretch of bush into the 

 open plain, a body of Tubus was sighted ahead. Then Jose 

 formed up his horsemen, who now numbered sixty (for a 

 headman had come in with five more on the march), and 

 charged the enemy, who suddenly broke and ran, making 

 off into the thick bush behind them. By lying flat upon 

 their little ponies they got away with marvellous rapidity 

 under the low bushes where it was impossible for our bigger 

 horses to follow them. However, a few were overtaken 

 in their flight by spears. It was after this fight that an 

 old warrior rode in from chasing the enemy, and, saluting, 

 proudly showed us the bloody gashes on his head and 

 face. He then jumped down from his horse, bound his 

 head up with some large leaves which were growing in the 

 bush, and, mounting again, rode off to his place in the 

 advance guard. 



During the charge one of Jose's horsemen, a man who 

 had accompanied us on several hunting expeditions in the 

 country, turned tail and ran, slipping in among the horsemen 

 of the main body. But the keen eye of the Kachella quickly 

 spotted him and he commanded him to be brought out. The 



