Hamilton had been alive to the danger of such an attack. He saw by certain indications of the soil that this great shallow valley had been inundated more than once, though probably many years had passed since the last overflow of water. Yet he could not move from where he had planted himself without risking the displeasure of his chief and without also risking very serious consequences in other directions. Bosambo, frankly bored, was all for retiring his men to the comforts of the Ochori city. "Lord, why do we sit here?" he asked, "looking at this little stream which has no fish and at this great ugly country, when I have my beautiful city for your lordship's reception, and dancing folk and great feasts?" "A doocid sensible idea," murmured Bones. "I wait for a book," answered Hamilton shortly. "If you wish to go, you may take your soldiers and leave me." "Lord," said Bosambo, "you put shame on me," and he looked his reproach. "I am really surprised at you, Hamilton," murmured Bones. "Keep your infernal comments to yourself," snapped his superior. "I tell you I must wait for my instructions." He was a silent man for the rest of the evening, and had settled himself down in his canvas chair to doze away the night, when a travel-stained messenger came from the Ochori and he brought a telegram of one word. Hamilton looked at it, he looked too with a frown at the figures that preceded it. "And what you mean," he muttered, "the Lord knows!" The word, however, was sufficiently explicit. A bugle call brought the Houssas into line and the tapping of Bosambo's drums assembled his warriors. Within half an hour of the receipt of the message Hamilton's force was on the move. They crossed the great stretch of meadow in the darkness and were climbing up towards the forest when a noise like thunder broke upon their ears. Such a roaring, crashing, hissing of sound came nearer and nearer, increasing in volume every second. The sky was clear, and one swift glance told Hamilton that it was not a storm he had to fear. And then it came upon him, and he realized what this commotion meant. "Run!" he cried, and with one accord naked warriors and uniformed Houssas fled through the darkness to the higher ground. The water came rushing about Hamilton's ankles, one man slipped back again into the flood and was hauled out again by Bones, exclaiming loudly his own act lest it should have escaped the attention of his superior, and the party reached safety without the loss of a man. "Just in time," said Hamilton grimly. "I wonder if the Administrator knew this was going to happen?" They came to the Ochori by easy marches, and Hamilton wrote a long wire to headquarters sending it on ahead by a swift messenger.