"You," pointing to Jack, "will lead 400 sailors around through the woods and attack the enemy from the flank. You, Mr. Chadwick," turning to Frank, "I shall put in command of a fleet of four small boats, armed with rapid-firers, and it will be your duty to try and crawl up the river without attracting the attention of the forts. Attacking from two sides, simultaneously, we should take the town. In the meantime we shall continue to shell the town, stopping our bombardment at such a time as I believe you will be prepared for a sudden attack. Therefore, when you reach your positions, you will not attack until the bombardment ceases. That shall be your signal. Do I make myself clear?" "Perfectly," both lads agreed. "Good, then. Everything shall be in readiness for you in an hour." The lads saluted and left the commander's cabin. Two hours later found Jack, with 400 British sailors at his command, already disembarked from small boats and stealing into the woods. Frank, with his little fleet, was picking his way carefully up the river. The lad easily found a channel between the two sunken merchantmen, and the little boats pushed on. "Careful of mines!" had been Captain Marcus' parting injunction and the lad peered keenly ahead constantly. He made out several small objects floating upon the water, and these were carefully avoided. By dint of careful rowing the boats finally drew up safely, not more than a quarter of a mile from the German forts, where the little party awaited the signal agreed upon. Jack, in the meantime, had led his men through the dense woods, and by making a wide detour, had penetrated almost to the rear of the enemy's fortress, which, he figured, would be the most likely to be improperly guarded. Here he and his men lay down, awaiting the signal to attack. But still the British bombardment continued, and shells rained upon the little African town. Suddenly the sound of screeching shells ceased. Jack sprang to his feet and listened intently for a moment. But the big guns on the warships were now silent. It was time to act. "Attention!" called Jack, and his men stood ready about him. Silently they crept forward to the very edge of the little town. Here, moving figures in the glare of many fires gave evidence that the German troops and their native allies were on the alert. But as Jack had surmised, they were not expecting an attack from this direction. Approaching closer and closer, Jack finally gave the command: "Fire!" The crack of 400 rifles followed this command, and under the withering fire of the British, the Germans were mowed down on all sides. At the same instant, from the river, the rapid firers in Frank's command shattered the stillness of the night with their noise of death. Thus attacked on two sides, the Germans for a moment stood as if paralyzed, men dropping on all sides.