"Look at Von Tempsky!" said Slyde (the Rangers being at headquarters in case any specially dangerous scouting was on hand.) "Cool as if he was listening to a military band in Berlin. Trifle better music there, I dare say. Picturesque-looking beggar, isn't he? Cigar in mouth, forage cap always on the side of his head. Curls _à ravir_. Not our form, but they become him. Wouldn't think he was the man that spoilt an ambush at Mount Egmont, when the general made his point to point march through the bush there." "Just the man, I should think. But how was it?" "Rangers, you see, marched with the column. Passing through thickest spot, Von left track with his men and vanished. Troops thought took wrong path. Sharp firing heard. Von reappears front of the column, forcing his way through the supple-jacks, sword in one hand, revolver in the other, knife between his teeth, dripping with blood. Ambush laid for troops--destroyed it." "No wonder everybody swears by him. I suppose these fellows would have had a steady volley at the column?" "Regular pot-shot. Sure to kill officers, besides twenty or thirty Tommies. Might even have bagged the general. Great hand at the bowie-knife, Von. Learned that in Mexico. Throws it to an inch. Great weapon at close quarters." "I dare say," replied Massinger. "I don't seem to take to it myself. All's fair in war, of course." "Suppose we have a bathe in the Mangopiko? It feels warmer this afternoon." This motion being carried, our triumvirate proceeded to the river-bank with a party of the 40th, men who bathed there every day. "The water's all right," said Warwick, "but I don't like this manuka scrub. The river's not too wide, and there's good cover on the other side." "Surely there's no chance of there being natives so close to the camp?" said Massinger, who thought Warwick a trifle over-cautious this time, often as he had reason to admit his astonishing accuracy in all that concerned woodcraft. This occasion was not destined to be an exception, for no sooner had they undressed than a volley from across the river showed that natives _had_ been concealed on the opposite bank. Fortunately, a covering party of twenty men under a lieutenant had been sent with them, who immediately returned fire, and a sharp exchange began. The sounds of the firing brought up a reinforcement from the 40th and 50th Regiments, under Colonel Havelock, who got to the rear of the concealed natives, the same ti-tree which had screened them serving to hide the troops. At an old earthwork they came suddenly upon them. Captain Jackson of the Forest Rangers and Captain Headley of the Auckland Rifles marched with the supports, eventually driving the Maoris from their position in the earthwork. A hot rally while it lasted, but a Victoria Cross was gained in it by Captain Headley, who, under heavy fire and with his clothes riddled with bullets, carried out a wounded soldier.