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Three more Germans followed, and then came a full-faced, double-chinned Prussian, wearing an order on his cotton drill uniform. In his hand he held a sheathed sword, the scabbard of which had already been unfastened from the slings. "I am Commandant Hendrich von Lindenfelt," he announced as captor and captive exchanged salutes.
With the latter was Oberst von Lindenfelt, the senior officer of the column, and another individual dressed in nondescript garments whose face seemed familiar to von Argerlich. "Greetings, Max!" exclaimed von Lindenfelt. "Let us hope you have plenty of food. We are almost starving." "Not much in that line, Herr Oberst," replied von Argerlich. "How have you fared?"
"That's not so very many miles from the Rhodesian border," thought Wilmshurst, as he made a note of the name in his pocket-book. "I wonder if we are ever likely to operate in that district?" Other information given by the prisoners fixed the position of a German entrenched post held by three native regiments and a handful of whites, at M'ganga, under the command of von Lindenfelt. "M'ganga?
Von Lindenfelt had not counted upon the use of light artillery against his strong position, but the fire of the mountain batteries, assisted by the seaplane's bombs, had proved terribly destructive. Of the 4.1-inch guns mounted for the defence not one remained intact, their destruction materially helping the Waffs in their frontal attack.
Von Lindenfelt pondered a few moments, then he turned abruptly to Ulrich von Gobendorff. "I believe you understand aeroplanes, Ulrich," he said. "Did you not fly at the great Johannesthal meeting a few years ago? I thought you told me so. Ah! yes. You will accompany Hauptmann von Argerlich and a half company of Askaris. If the machine is easily repairable, fly it back here, otherwise destroy it.
"Why did not the Askaris shoot them?" demanded Oberst von Lindenfelt. "There were but three of our scouts and the Englishmen were armed," explained the German. "I would venture to suggest, Herr Oberst, that the men did well to return immediately with their report rather than risk being disabled in an attempt to engage the airmen."
On hearing of the proposed attack upon von Lindenfelt the naval airmen, who were rapidly recovering from the effect of their arduous and perilous trek, volunteered to remain and co-operate. For observation purposes and machine-gunning the Huns they would be able to render yeoman service, while, when their offer was promptly accepted, the ingenious officers set to work to manufacture bombs.
"The man we want is von Gobendorff, otherwise known as Robert MacGregor, and is known to have belonged to the forces under your command." Von Lindenfelt shook his head, this time resolutely and defiantly. "I do know not," he declared. It was practically useless to press the question. There were, Wilmshurst argued, other means of finding out.
"We still have him in close confinement up in the Karewenda Geberge," replied the hauptmann carelessly. "A personal matter?" enquired Oberst von Lindenfelt. "The accursed Englishman struck me a blow because I thought fit to chastise a thieving native woman," replied von Argerlich.
"I make surrender and claim der treatment due to der brisoners of war." "That'll be all right," rejoined Wilmshurst. "Please keep your sword until the colonel decides I mean, until you are taken to Colonel Quarrier of the Nth Waffs. Are all the German officers here?" "Yes," replied von Lindenfelt. "All except those who killed and wounded are."
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