John chose the moment when an assault had just been repelled to evacuate the mound, and keeping it between him and the enemy, to strike off to the south-west, intending to make a circuit and rejoin Ferrier at the clump of trees. He had marched for more than half a mile before the meaning of the movement became plain to the enemy. Seeing the little party now in the open, with no cover of any kind, the men set off with loud cries to intercept them before they reached the clump of trees which was the only shelter for miles. It was a race between the two parties. John was north-west of the clump, the enemy due north, and equidistant from it. Ferrier, who had reached the spot some time before, and was watching eagerly his new friend’s manoeuvres, fired an occasional shot at the savages as soon as they came within range, but his single rifle was unable to check the advance. It was fortunate that John had somewhat easier ground than the enemy, sloping gently down to the clump of trees. He ran as he had never run since he won the quarter-mile in his school sports, and the negroes kept pace with him, in the fierce heat of the sun. Ferrier saw that he was gaining on the enemy, and shouted to encourage him. Another two hundred yards and he would be safe. On he came: now he was several yards ahead of his men, then they spurted and came up with him: and in another fifteen seconds the whole party gained the wood, the enemy being no more than a hundred yards away. Ferrier sent a shot among them which brought them to a halt. Even now they might have overwhelmed the little party, for John and the men were hot and breathless, and their limbs trembled so violently that for some seconds they were unable to hold their rifles steadily. But Ferrier’s shot gave them the breathing-space they needed. Then all the rifles spoke together. A gap was made in the halted throng of negroes; there was a moment’s hesitation; then with furious yells of rage and disappointment they turned their backs upon the clump of trees, and ran swiftly towards the distant bush.