The ground there was thinly timbered, and it was seen in a moment that these new arrivals, whoever they might be, were fugitives. They bore the unmistakable look of men and women--for there were several women among them--flying for their lives. They were not even aware of the proximity of the camp until right into it; and then, at the sight of armed men confronting them, they fell on their faces with a howl for mercy. "Who are these, Somala?" said Haviland, not without a touch of anxiety; foreseeing the possibility of the flight of these people drawing down some formidable enemy upon his expedition. And, indeed, their tidings confirmed his worst misgivings. They were natives of a small tribe, themselves of indifferent physique. Their village had been attacked the evening before, and burned, but they, being outside, had escaped. They had heard rumours of Mushad being out with a strong force. Without doubt, he it was who had assailed them. The name of the dreaded slave-hunting chief caused Haviland, and indeed others who heard it, to look grave. "Well," he said, "give these people food, such as we have, and let them go on their way." But this dictum was greeted by the refugees with a howl of dismay. If they went on further, why, then they were already dead, they protested. Would not the great white lords protect them? They would be safe within the shadow of their camp. Even Mushad would not dare interfere with them there. "Wouldn't he?" said Haviland, in English. "I'm pretty sure he would-- and will. These wretched devils have just about brought a hornet's nest about our ears, I more than expect. What are we to do, doctor?" "Why, get out into more open country and beat them off. I figure out that this is just the way Mushad would take, in any event; so, perhaps, it's just as well these poor devils turned up to warn us." "What do you say, Oakley?" "I'm entirely with the doctor." "Right. A couple of miles ahead, by the lay of the ground, we ought to find just the position we want." Within ten minutes of the order being issued the camp was struck. Every man took up his load, and the whole line filed briskly forth through the steaming, sweltering forenoon heat. There was no hanging back. The excitement of impending battle lent a springiness to the step of some, the instinct of self-preservation to that of others; the refugees the while chanting the most fulsome praises in honour of their new protectors. "There's the very place we want!" cried Haviland, when they had thus advanced a couple of miles. "Looks as if it had been made on purpose." The ground had been growing more and more open, and now the spot to which he referred was a ring of trees surmounting a rise. This would afford an excellent defensive position if they were called upon to fight, and ample concealment in any case. In an inconceivably short space of time the whole expedition was safely within it.