When they had almost reached the bridge-head, Royce stepped quickly from his hiding-place with the armed Hausas, and ordered John to call to the Tubus. At the shout they swung round, and saw facing them a white man and seven Hausas covering them with rifles. John called to them to surrender and throw down their arms. For a moment they hesitated; then, recognising that between the rifles and the river there was no escape, they cast their own weapons on the ground and made signs of submission. At Royce's instruction John ordered them to move away along the bank of the river. Then six of the Hausas advanced, took their rifles, and returned. And then the whole band of liberated prisoners sprang up from among the rushes, and the place rang with their shouts of delight. CHAPTER X IN HOT PURSUIT "Now for the next move," said Royce to Challis. "Feel better, old man?" "Much! It's so good to see you again. But I'm fairly crocked." "Never mind that. You'll be all right after a rest. We mustn't lose any time, though. Can you tell me how far back the horsemen left you?" "Two or three miles, I think. They went off to the left; of course I didn't know why, though I see now." "Well, there are about thirty of them, aren't there? They have probably crossed the river by this time, higher up, and are waiting somewhere ahead. We can't tell how long they will wait before they become uneasy, but no doubt when they do they will ride to the bridge. Finding it broken down, they will probably think that the whole party is making for the ford, and will very likely ride back and round to meet them. That ought to give us several hours." "Little enough if they discover what has really happened." "Yes; they've a great advantage of us in their horses. There's only one thing to be done. With only fourteen rifles we can't fight them. We must get back as quickly as we can. What luck to recover all our baggage!" "There's food, too; not very much, certainly, which shows that the Tubus aren't far from their own grounds." "True, and their tribe may number hundreds for all we know. It's a ticklish position for us. But we concealed near your camp the food we brought with us. We must all get back as quickly as possible and secure that. I only hope that we shan't be pursued, for we should stand no chance at all against mounted men." Royce wasted no time. First of all he had the six men of the rearguard tied up like their comrades and laid at the edge of the rushes, where they would be discovered by their friends when they returned to the bridge. Then he selected four of the Hausas to carry Challis on a litter made of their rifles. Soon the whole party was marching back along the track, John leading with six of the men armed with rifles, Royce bringing up the rear with the remainder.