Nothing had happened during his absence. The enemy on the north side of the gap had not yet plucked up courage to cross, and the rest were apparently still lurking in the bush to the east of the stretch of woodland. John led his men back to the southern end of this, where he halted to watch the progress of the safari, and to assure himself that its escape had not been noticed. From this position he saw, a quarter of a mile to the right, a mound which would form an excellent defensive position in case he was seriously attacked, and he determined to betake himself thither as soon as the safari was out of sight. After waiting for a few minutes he saw the enemy, who had no doubt become suspicious, at last swarm from the further side of the gap and join their comrades. The combined force, emboldened by numbers, emerged from the bush, and appeared to be intending to make a dash upon the wood. John waited until they had come within two hundred yards, and then gave the word to his men to fire a volley. The effect was instantaneous. Several of the enemy fell; the rest made all speed back under cover. Taking advantage of the repulse, John ordered three of the men to rush to the mound, and as soon as they had reached it, he followed them with the rest. The movement was seen by the enemy, who, knowing now that the safari must have escaped them, and probably suspecting that it had already taken refuge on the other side of the mound, were at last impelled by their rage to make a determined rush to the spot. John and his men were, however, so well ensconced that their fire checked the advance, and the assailants, once more baffled, fled back either into the wood or to their former position in the bush. Twice they repeated the assault: each time they were driven back; and though they came closer each time, and sent a shower of arrows and bullets on to the mound, they were utterly unable to make an impression, the little party of riflemen lying flat on their faces at the top of the reverse slope, so that only their heads were exposed. During the last rush, however, Coja, who was vastly excited at this fight against odds, incautiously raised himself, and received a bullet in the shoulder. John was a good deal concerned: the mere shock of such an injury would have rendered a European helpless; but the African is not so highly strung, and Coja went on all day with admirable fortitude.