THE TWO MIDSHIPMEN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 43, 24 October 1891, Page 506

THE TWO MIDSHIPMEN.

A TALE OF THE EAST AFRICAN COAST.

fN the afternoon of a certain sultry day in the month of June two handsome bronzed midshipmen accompanied by a native guide, might have been seen wending their way in an easterly direction along the banks of the Kingani river, which discharged itself into the Indian Ocean, close to the town of Darra Salaam on the east coast of Africa. These two midshipmen, named Harry Vaughan and Oswald Graham, carried guns in their hands and game-bags slung over their shoulders ; and their guide—an undoubted negro with shiny black skin, blubber lips and frizzled hair—was equipped in the same manner, but in addition to a gun he carried a heavy rifle and a quantity of ammunition. A peep into the game-bags would have disclosed the fact that there were only a few quail and wood-pigeons in them, in spite of the fact that the afternoon was now fast drawing to a close, and that the young sportsmen —who belonged to H.M.S. Galatea, then lying at the Darra Salaam anchorage—had been ashore in quest of game ever since sunrise. The fact was that these young gentlemen had conceived the ambitious project of shooting hippopotami—which animals abound in the Kingani river—and the greater part of the day had been spent in various ambushes on the banks of the stream close to the usual haunts of these unwieldy great animals, with the result that two of the monsters had been slaughtered. It had been found, however, impossible to secure the carcases of the slain creatures owirtg to the strength of the current; and, much to the chagrin of our midshipmen friends, they found themselves forced to return without being able to triumphantly bear back any trophies of their prowess to exhibit to their messmates in the Galatea. Their native guide, Booboo, was equally disappointed at the turn affairs had taken, though, as he kept perpetually observing to his young masters during the homeward tramp : * Massa ! You no make bobbery ’bout dis ting, for sho’. Next time de Galatea make anchor at Darra Salaam, Booboo get one big canoe ready and take Massa up de riber—oh ! eber so many mile up ; and dere am tousand of ’potamus waiting for Massa snoot. Booboo get plenty friend up dere, and s’all make easy to bring de ’potamus body on s’ore.’ * But suppose we never come back to Darra Salaam, Booboo,’ young Graham observed after one of these speeches. • I believe we are off to Bombay next week, and may not return to the Coast of Africa again.' • Oh, yes ! Massa come back for sho,’ the negro answered, ‘ else all de country am fill up wid de rascal slave dealer, who now am make hide der ogly head. Oh, yes ! Galatea come back to coast in de monsoon and make plenty prize money ; and den Massa want to shoot ’potamus. Booboo am ready wid de big canoe, and dere am sport plenty mosh, Massa, make sure.’

‘ Well, we won’t forget you, Booboo, if the Galatea does come back,’ observed Oswald Graham. ‘ We’ve had a stunning day of it, anyhow ; haven’t we Harry T ‘ 1 should think so !’ returned his companion. ‘ Oh, how jolly it is to get ashore in these wild jungles with one’s gun, instead of being cooped up on board ship !’ • And though we didn’t manage to get any trophies,’ continued the other, ‘ we shot the hippopotami stone dead, for I saw them being washed down the river. I don’t think it was bad for our first attempt at big game.’ • We’ve got some quail and wood-pigeons to show the fellows,’ said his messmate, peering into his game-bag, ‘ which is lucky, or we should have been a good deal chaffed.’ Harry Vaughan and Oswald Graham, as my readers will doubtless have conjectured, were sworn chums, and had already been serving together on board the Galatea (which was an 8-gun sloop) for two years. They were at the time of our story sixteen years old, and were handsome, wellgrown boys, devoted to sport and manly exercises of all kinds. Their firm friendship had never been marred by disputes or quarrels, and Captain Madden, who commanded the Galatea, looked upon them as the two most promising young officers in the ship. Darra Salaam, wheie the Sultan of Zanzibar has a residence, is situated upon the coast only a few degrees south of the equator, and so the whole region in its neighbourhood is extremely hot, especially up the rivers, where, owing to the dense overhanging jungles and multitudinous mangrove bushes, the cooling influences of the life-giving sea-breeze are almost unfelt. The rude track which our midshipmen friends were returning by as a rule followed the sinuous course of the river ; and, though, the fierce rays of an almost vertical sun were intercepted by the umbrageous trees overhead, which ‘ wove twilight o’er the path,’ the air was so stagnant and so permeated with the pestilential vapours which arose from the alligator-haunted mud-banks of the stream, that the heat was more than usually oppressive on this particular afternoon ; so much so that even our two midshipmen, who had spent a couple of years in the tropics, and were therefore to a certain extent acclimatised, began to feel its debilitating influence. ‘ I say, Oswald, old chap,’ exclaimed young Vaughan at length, * I vote we rest under the shade of those bamboos and take it easy for half an-hour. This heat is almost unbearable.’

‘ Right yon are, Harry. You know we needn’t be on board till 8 o’clock, so we’ve heaps of time.’ Even the almost naked Booboo was not sorry to avail himself of the midshipman’s proposal, and the trio were soon stietched upon a convenient piece of glassy sward under the shade of the lofty, motionless bamboos, listening to the never ceasing quaint chorus of bird and insect cries emanating from the gloomy depths of the surrounding jurgle. Suddenly Booboo, who was squatting upon the ground in negio fashion, started, and appeared to be listening intently.

• What’s up, oht Booboo ?’ asked Graham. ‘Do you see a fetich in the jungle?’ • No fetich, Massa, but I tink one leopard am prowl about amongst de trees. Booboo not bery sure, but plenty mosh tink his eye not deceive. ’ ‘ A leopard ! What a spree it rvould be to shoot it!’ exclaimed Oswald Graham excitedly, as he seized his gun; ‘ shall we go after it, Harry ?’ ‘ It would be jolly fun to knock over a leopard,’ answered his chum, ‘ but to tell you the honest truth, I’m rather fagged, and should prefer resting here. If you like to follow the beast up with the rifle, Oswald, and take Booboo with you, I’ll stop here till you come back. I suppose you won’t be gone long, old man ?’ • Ten minutes at the outside,’ answered his friend, ‘ but I wish you would come too.’ ‘ I’m too lazy really, and have got a bit of a headache, and as we have only the one rifle, you may as well make use of it. ’ Seeing that his friend was really indisposed for more sport, and intending to return immediately, should it turn out that Booboo had raised a false alarm, Oswald took the rifle from the negro, carefully examined it, and then, followed by his sable attendant, plunged into the recesses of the forest, Booboo marking a tree here aud there as they proceeded, in order to obviate any difficulty in finding the way back. Leaving Harry Vaughan stretched out drowsily under the clump of bamboos, we shall follow the fortunes of Oswald and the negro. • Booboo,’ said the midshipman, as he forced his way through the tangled brake, ‘ did you actually see the leopard ?’ ‘ I see de tip of um tail. Massa, as he wriggle um way troo de jongle, and I think him no trabel bery far dis hot afternoon —bery foolis leopard else, massa.’ • Well ! I only hope I’ll bag him,’ observed Oswald ; ‘ his skin would make a lovely rug for the mater.’ Booboo now advised silence, and the two glided stealthily along, making as little noise as possible. A few minutes had passed in this way, when, just as the middy had entered a particularly dense piece of jungle, he heard a rustling sound among the underwood close by, and in another second a large and handsome leopard sprang out almost under Oswald’s nose, and before that startled young gentleman could raise his rifle to fire, had bounded off in the opposite direction, sheltered from observation by the great boles of the forest trees. ‘ Well, that is a sell !’ said the middy, in a disappointed tone. • Nebber you gib him up, Massa,’ exclaimed Booboo, encouragingly ; ‘ I tink him lie low in de forest, not bery mosh distant.’ Oswald followed up eagerly on the animal’s trail, but for once that artful stalker of the wild denizens of the forest. Booboo, was at fault; for the spotted cat did not again expose himself incautiously to view, nor could the slightest sound be detected to give a clue to his whereabouts. At length, hot, and in a not very amiable temper, Oswald halted and consulted his watch. • I told Harry I should not be away more than ten minutes,’ he exclaimed, ‘ and we have been exactly twenty. I’m very sorry. Booboo, but I must go back at once ; I had no idea how the time had flown.’ The negro made no objection, and the two made their way back in silence to the spot where Harry Vaughan had been left half asleep. On coming in sight of the clump of bamboos, Oswald was surprised to see that his friend was not stretched out under their grateful shade. Nor was theie any trace of gun or game-bag. Thinking, however, that he might be searching for birds’ nests or plants somewhere close by, he gave a loud Australian coo ee, which might have been heard a mile away. There was no response. ‘My gosh ! What am demeanin’ of dis ?’ exclaimed Booboo, in an alarmed tone ; can de foolis’ leetle officer make bathe in de riber? Dat case he am gobble up by de hongry alligator ! W hat can do, Massa Graham ?’ But Oswald had already rushed to the river’s brink, and was anxiously scrutinizing its turbid surface—shouting his friend’s name again and again in loud and agonized tones. But there was no answer to these repeated cries, and, overcome by his feelings, Oswald sunk down upon the muddy banli and buried his face in his hands. He felt bitterly that he ought never to have left his friend alone in the forest, and that at any-rate he ought to have returned in ten minutes, as he had promised. He had broken his word, and it was probable that his messmate’s death had resulted from his thoughtlessness. He was aroused by Booboo, who put his dingy band upon his shoulder. • Massa no gib way in dis fashion,’ said the honest negro. ‘ I think now that Massa Vaughan hab lost him way in de jongle, and we must make search and shout like de mad ting. Soon sail find leetle officer, Massa, you makee surer Oswald felt that this was good advice, and rousing himself with an effort, he resolved to leave no stone unturned in the endeavour to find his missing chum, and immediately set off with Booboo and penetrated a considerable distance in every direction into the forest, shouting loudly at intervals. Still there was the same mysterious silence, and no trace of the absent midshipman could be discovered. Disconsolate and weary, and a prey to the most gloomy forebodings, Oswald returned to tne clump of bamboos and proceeded to narrowly examine the ground to see if there was any trace of footmaiks. He was busily engaged in this task when a sudden shout from the negro made him look

up. What he saw made him feel sick at heart. Booboo had extracted from some mangrove bushes, dose to the margin of the river, Harry Vaughan's game bag and a pith helmet

which he had been wearing, and was holding them up to view.

In a moment Oswald had sprung to the negro’s side, with a face as pale as death and said : * Booboo, what is the meaning of this ? Is it possible that some cruel natives can have taken my friend prisoner? Are there any robbers about in these jangles ?’ The poor negro had turned almost green with anxiety or fright while the middy was rapidly pouring out these questions. At length ho gasped out : ‘Robber, Massa? No such ting am known on dis part of the coast; but, Massa !’ —here Booboo convulsively clutched the young middy’s arm —‘ I bery mosh afraid dat some rascal Arab slaver man hab catchee leetle buccra officer and take him in dere canoe up de riber. De Arab man, Massa, no care what him do to white or black man !’ ‘ Then what shall we do ?’ exclaimed the midshipman, aghast; ‘ where do you suppose they ’ Oswald stopped short, for his eye had fallen upon two negroes who at a rapid pace were paddling a small canoe down the river. So strong was the current that the little craft appeared to fly; and the occupants, as they caught sight of the middy and Booboo, gave several loud shouts, and appeared to be endeavouring to steer the canoe in the direction of the clump of bamboos. Fearing that their intentions might be hostile, and that they were only the advance guard of a large force, Oswald seized his gun and held it pointed menacingly in their direction. Booboo did the same. It soon became apparent, however, that the two negroes were friendly, for they made signs of amity, and appeared to be unarmed. In a few seconds they had run their canoe ashore close to the spot where our friends were standing, leaped out, and immediately accosted Booboo in some native dialect. Oswald, of course, understood not a word that was uttered, but he gathered from the vehement manner and numerous gesticulations of the speakers that they were imparting some important intelligence. And so it proved. Booboo listened in silence to his compatriots’ story, and, as soon as it was finished, turned to Oswald with a scared and anxious face : ‘ Massa ! these two men hab just come down the riber and dey say dat about one mile up de stream dey met seberal canoe, which am belong to one large slave dhow, dat it make anchor long way up. In one of de largest of dese canoe dey see one buccra leetle officer who am tied wid de coir rope, and look all like one white corpse. De slaver man shout to dem to keep out of de way, and say dat if they tell de ’tory of what him see in de canoe to any of de white man, dat der troat shall be cut at anoder time. De Arab no try to catch him at dat time, Massa, as de current am berry strong, and dey can do noddin. Now, Massa, it am quite plain dat dis leetle officer am Massa Vaughan, and de Arab teef hab carry him off when him sleep under de tree. Ah ! de rascal teef what buy and sell de human flesh !’ and Booboo shook his black fist angrily in the direction in which he believed the slavers to have gone. Oswald had immediately made up his mind what he should do. Darra Salaam, where the Galatea was at anchor, was only two miles distant, and he would at once return to the ship and report what had happened. The negroes offered the use of their canoe, which was sufficiently large to hold four ; and in the space of ten minutes or so she had been sent spinning down the river and guided alongside the sloop, when Oswald quickly gained the quarter-deck and informed the officer of the watch of what had happened. A few minutes later the Galatea’s blue-jackets were busily engaged in manning and arming boats, for it had been determined to at once despatch a powerful force up the river in order to rescue Harry Vaughan and capture the slaver. Every one worked with feverish energy, for it was well understood that the unfortunate young midshipman’s life depended upon the celerity with which the expedition could be got underway. Captain Madden had decided himself to command the flotilla of boats, leaving the first lieutenant in charge of the Galatea. The force was to be conveyed in the steam pinnace, two cutters and the jolly-boat, and was to consist of fifty blue-jackets armed with cutlasses and revolvers, and twenty marines with their rifles and bayonets. The steam pinnace, which was to be commanded by the Captain in person, would take the other boats in tow, and was armed in the bows with a 9-pounder Armstrong gun. In an hour’s time all preparations had been made, steam was up in the pinnace, all the men told off for the expedition were in their places, and as Captain Madden, standing erect in the stern-sheets, gave the order ‘ Shove off forward !’ a loud and hearty cheer was given by the men on board the sloop, which was energetically reciprocated by their comrades of the flotilla. The twin-screws turned ahead, and in a few minutes the line of boats was well inside the mouth of the river.

Oswald Graham had been told off—much to his own gratification—to accompany the Captain in the pinnace, and Booboo and the other two negroes, who were to act as pilots and interpreters, went in the same boat. The cutters were commanded by junior- lieutenants with midshipmen under them. The tide had fortunately begun to flow when the expedition started —which was considered a good omen, and much facilitated the passage up the broad but tortuous Kingani river. A bright outlook was kept by the officers, for it was thought probable that an attack might be made upon the boats at any moment, especially as there were many convenient creeks overhung with mangroves and palms, where canoes could easily lie in ambush without fear of discovery. Oswald was full of excitement, and longed to cross swords with the cowardly slaver’s men who had so cunningly and impudently kidnapped his chum. One terrible fear oppressed him, and that was that the Arabs, on learning that a relief expedition had been organised, would murder Harry Vaughan, and then retreat up the river, out of reach of an attack. The sun began to get low in the heavens, and as the twilight in tropical regions is exceedingly brief, Booboo advised that before darkness set in the flotilla shonld anchor for the night. This, however, Captain Madden would not hear of. He was determined to push on at all hazards and promised the negroes a handsome reward if they safely piloted the boats before midnight to the spot where the slave dhow was supposed to be lying. It might be feasible to make a night attack, and so take the rascals by surprise. As was soon brought forcibly home to the naval oflicers r

however, Arab slave-dealers are not very easily overreached in cunning or strategy. Just as the blood-red sun was descending to the horizon amid a- glorious assemblage of purple and golden clouds, it was perceived from the pinnace that a large canoe was approaching round a bend in the river. On perceiving the man-of-war boats the occupants hoisted a white Hag and appeared to wish to communicate. The pinnace’s engines were stopped, and in a few moments the canoe had dashed alongside. In her were three unprepossessing-looking Arabs, one of whom handed Captain Madden a letter. As it was written in Arabic characters the missive was handed to Booboo, who deciphered it as follows : To the Great English Sea Captain : I, Mahomet Ben Ali, write these lines to inform you that the young officer who has fallen, by the will of the Prophet, into our hands, will be restored to his ship if the great sea captain will pay me £SOO, and allow my dhow to go to sea without molestation. Otherwise, the little officer’s throat will be cut. Mahomet Ben Ali. Great was Captain Madden’s indignation on hearing the impudent message thus conveyed to him. He consulted » for a few minutes with the other officers, and then turned to Booboo. * Tell them,’ he said, sternly, ‘ that I am willing to pay a ransom of £IOO for the release of the young gentleman, provided that he is at once restored to us. As to my allowing the dhow to go to sea, I have no power to prevent her doing so if she is a lawful trader. If she is a slaver she must take her chance of being captured ; but I will undertake that she is not molested while in the river, if Mahomet Ben Ali will agree to my proposition about Mr Vaughan.’ The envoys listened attentively while Booboo translated this message to them, and then, remarking that they thought it probable that their captain would agree to the proposed terms, they shoved off, and paddled up the river as hard as they could go. The flotilla proceeded about a couple of miles further up the river, and then anchored in a convenient place to await the return of Mahomet Ben All’s messengers. There now seemed every probability of a peaceful solution of the difficulty ; and, though Oswald would have dearly loved a brush with the rascally slaver’s men, and to have had a hand in capturing the dhow, he was immensely relieved to know that his chum Harry was alive, and that there was every chance of his being restored to them safe and sound that very night. The brief tropical twilight had long since been merged in the gloomy shades of night, but there was a partial moon, which though occasionally obscured by driving masses of •cloud, lit up the turbid, sullen current of the river and the nigrescent overhanging trees with a weird and ghostly glamour, which made the scene a very impressive one ; and this was enhanced by the strange sounds that came ever and anon booming from the shadowy depths of the surrounding jungles, conspicuous among which was the reiterated howl of the hungry prowling jackal. A bright look-out was kept for the expected messengers, but Oswald’s keen eyes were the first to distinguish the phosphorescent gleam of the water at the canoe’s bows, as she swept at a rapid pace around a projecting point, and steered for the spot where the flotilla was at anchor with lanterns displayed. As the little craft approached every eye was strained to see if Harry Vaughan was in her, and a murmur of disappointment went round when it was seen that he was not a passenger by her. Nevertheless, the envoys brought satisfactory and peaceable news. The slaver captain—they informed Booboo— was willing to agree to Captain Madden’s proposal, but he wished to receive the £IOO before handing over his prisoner, and therefore begged that the Galatea’s boats would proceed up the river and deliver the money on board the dhow, when the young midshipman weuld be at once returned unharmed to his countrymen. To this proposition Captain Madden w’as fain to agree, and he was not averse to seeing with his own eyes what manner of vessel the dhow really was. Foreseeing that a sum of money might be required by the slavers, he had had the good sense to bring a considerable sum in English gold with him, and so there seemed to be no further difficulties to contend with. As for Oswald, he was overjoyed at the glad prospect of his friend’s speedy release, for he could not conceal from himself that he had been responsible to a considerable extent for the disaster. Anchors were at once weighed, and every preparation made for proceeding up the river. The envoys informed Booboo that the dhow was only ten miles further up, and that she was lying near the right bank with alight suspended from her yard. Captain Madden offered to tow these Arabs back to their vessel, but this they declined, and having pushed for the shore and disembarked, drew their light craft up on the bank, and immediately disappeared in the gloomy recesses of the adjacent forest. Under the careful guidance of the black pilots the flotilla made rapid progress up stream, and the moonlight was sufficiently bright to allow of near objects being distinctly seen. In spite of the pacific overtures of Mahomet Ben Ali, it was thought prudent to be on the qui vive against a surprise, and a careful watch was kept on both banks as the boats swept onward. Nothing suspicious, however, was seen, and no sounds were audible but the puffing and throbbing of the steam pinnace’s engines, as her bows clave the darkened waters ; and the weird cries of the forest prowlers. At length, shadowy and indistinct, the huge outline of the anchored dhow hove into sight, not a quarter of a mile distant. The pinnace’s engines were now stopped, and the other boats were cast off and ordered to proceed under oars. Again the little steamer went ahead at half-speed, and every moment the dhow became more and more clearly defined in the ghostly light. How Oswald's young and affectionate heart beat with the happy anticipation of being the first to jump on board and assure his chum of his safety. The huge, unwieldy vessel was lying about twenty yards from the right bank of the river, and, as the envoys had predicted, a lantern hung swinging from her yard. There seemed no signs of life on board, and, consequently, Captain Madden hailed in a loud tone and ordered Booboo to do the same. There was no response to this, but to the surprise of the onlookers a dark form was suddenly seen to drop in a hurried manner over the stern of the vessel into a canoe, and then paddle away hurriedly to the shore. Booboo shouted to this mysterious individual, but elicited no reply. * Queer fellows, and no mistake !’ ejaculated the captain ; • run us alongside the dhow,’ he continued, turning to the coxswain.

In a moment the pinnace had dashed alongside, but much to the astonishment of the naval officers, there appeared to be an unaccountable and ominous silence reigning throughout the vessel.. Like lightning Oswald sprang up her side, for he was seized with a sudden misgiving which made him feel sick at heart. The captain and some of his followers followed suit. The dhow was deserted ! There could be no doubt of this fact, for she was a large hollow, undecked vessel, and by the light of the moon every portion of her was revealed to the anxious scrutiny of the Galatea’s officers. There was some ballast in her, but nothing more, as far as could be seen. Poor Oswald, as pale as death, stood like a statue, surveying the scene with a piteous expression of grief upon his handsome young face. He could not collect himself to speak. ‘ The rascally villains have deceived us !’ shouted the Captain, in a rage; ‘ where’s that fellow that we saw malting off in a canoe ?’ ‘ He has just landed, sir,’ answered the coxswain of the pinnace ; ‘ shall I pick him off with a rifle ?’ ‘ Shoot him down like a dog !’ answered the Captain, emphatically. The man was just about to disappear amid the trees as the bluejacket raised his rifle ; but, as if some sudden thought had occurred to him, he paused for a moment and glanced back in the direction of the dhow. The act was fatal to him, for the coxswain took advantage of the movement to cover him with his rifle. There was a sharp report, and the Arab fell heavily forward upon his face—a corpse. Little knew the naval officers at that moment how richly this villain had deserved the tragical fate that overtook him thus precipitately ! Oswald and some of the bluejackets began making a systematic search of the dhow, while the captain conferred with the officers in the cutters as to the best course to pursue. Booboo, meanwhile, was holding an earnest conversation with the negro pilots, who were evidently much excited at the unexpected turn affairs had taken, and kept pointing vehemently in the direction of that portion of the forest which lay upon the right bank. At length Booboo approached Captain Madden. ‘ Dis pilot man say, Massa Captain,’ he began, * dat the rascal teef what am own de dhow hab all make run away into de jongle, and take leetle Massa Vaughan wid dem, but him say dere is one large fortify village not bery far from dis, and him make sore dat de slaver man hab run away dere, and Massa Captain like dey can ’ The rest of the Booboo’s speech was cut short by an appalling yell from the bows of the vessel where Oswald Graham and his party had made their way. Then the middy and his followers rushed aft with blanched faces. ‘ What’s the matter, my boy ?’ demanded the Captain, drawing a revolver. ‘ Gunpowder ! —fuse ! —fired !’ gasped Oswald in terrified tones. Instinctively the Captain grasped his meaning. ‘ Into the boats, every one !’ he thundered. ‘ Your lives depend upon your celerity, but let there be no confusion !’ With great presence of mind the men obeyed these orders, and scarcely had the boats quitted the dhow’s side than a fearful explosion rent the air. Into the darkness of the midnight sky shot a huge mass of flame accompanied by eddying dense volumes of grey smoke, amid which were hurled innumerable fragments of the ill fated vessel, which quickly descended about the boats in a perfect storm. Fortunately, no serious damage was done, but several men were wounded by the falling woodwork and other debris. There was now no longer any doubt as to the mission of the solitary Arab whose corpse lay in the dark grass on the river’s brink. He had been deputed to remain on board till the flotilla was sighted, with orders to light a train which would blow up the dhow just after the arrival of the Galatea’s party on board. By the mercy of Providence, this diabolical plot had not taken effect in the way that had been intended, for not a single life had been lost. It had, however, been an extremely narrow eseape. It was at once determined to land the force and march upon the village, which was only a couple of miles distant, without delay, in the hopes of taking the inhabitants by surprise. Booboo and the pilots offered to act as guides, and leaving the boats in charge of an armed party, with orders to anchor out in the stream, the remainder ot the force set off along a beaten track through the jungle, which led—the negroes affirmed—straight to the village, whither it was supposed the slaver’s men had fled. Poor Oswald’s feelings on realising the extreme jeopardy in which his chum stood may be imagined. With pale face and set teeth he marched on with his company, inwardly praying that they might yet be in time to save him from the clutches of the ruthless Arabs who had kidnapped him with such deliberate cruelty. It soon became evident that it would not be possible to take the village by surprise, for the jungle was infested with small bodies of the enemy, who, as opportunity offered, opened a desultory fire upon the advancing bluejackets and marines from behind the cover of the trees, but this was promptly and effectively returned by the naval brigade, who poured in galling volleys from their deadly rifles, which drove the skulking foe to seek shelter further in the bush. Fortunately, too, the jungle was soon left behind, and the force found itself on an open, cultivated stretch of country, dotted with fruit trees, which seemed to point to the proximity of a native village. No enemy was visible, and advancing at the double, Captain Madden and his men soon had the satisfaction of beholding the palisaded settlement, where Harry Vaughan was believed to be incarcerated. ‘ Forward, men !’ roared the captain. * A sovereign for the first man over that palisade !’ The thin line of determined men swept on to the attack—the weird moonlight illuminating their rugged, resolute faces ami glistening on rifle barrel, cutlass and bayonet. The advance was made in grim silence, for orders had been issued to that effect. The oppressive stillness which reigned for a time supreme was suddenly broken by the inhabitants of the village, who, crowding up inside the palisade, uttered terrific yells of anger and defiance, and brandished their weapons with menacing gestures. Then came gushing from their musket barrels the ruddy death flames, and ping, ping, sang the bullets about the heads of the advancing brigade. Fortunately, however, firearms were scarce among the garrison, the majority being armed with spears and swords. The marksmen, too, were very indifferent shots, and but few of their bullets found a billet.

Calmly and deliberately the seamen and marines poured in a withering volley, which did tremendous execution amid the ranks of their opponents. Then, with fixed bayonets they swept on to engage the foe hand-to hand, led by Captain Madden, who, waving his sword over his bead, shouted to them to follow him to death or victory. Feeling secure in the power of their numbers and in the strength of their deep ditch and palisades, however, the Arabs and their allies stood their ground with wonderful tenacity, and seemed nothing loth to join in a general melee. They had not long to wait, for under a galling fire from above, the gallant seamen and marines threw themselves into the ditch, and a few moments later were clambering over the awkward palisades, in spite of the furious endeavours of the enemy to frustrate the attempt. Oswald, excited beyond measure at the stirring scenes in which he was taking a part, and anxious to distinguish himself in the attempt to rescue his brother midshipman, had managed to keep well to the front during the attack, and assisted by a couple of bluejackets, who warded off the numerous blows that were aimed at the plucky youngster’s head, was the first to place foot on the other side of the palisades. Fortunately, he was promptly followed by a score of men, or his life would undoubtedly have been sacrificed to the fury of the enraged Arabs. The latter made a strenuous resistance, but it was of no avail. The Galatea’s men carried all before them and fought with such splendid elan and dash that after a few minutes’ desperate resistance the villagers turned and fled in the greatest consternation, throwing away their arms and everything that would serve to impede their flight. A strict search for Harry V aughan was made throughout the village, but to the general horror no traces of him could be found in any of the houses, and the prisoners resolutely refused to answer any questions. For more than an hour was the quest continued with the same disappointing results. Then the force was divided up into parties, who were toldoffto scour theadjacent countryin hopesof finding someclueinconnection with the missing midshipman. Of oneof these parties, Oswald accompanied by Booboo, took command and made a careful search of that portion of jungle which lay adjacent to the village. All seemed in vain, and the young middy, sick at heart, was about to withdraw his men from what seemed a hopeless task, when he suddenly spied a dark figure descending a huge tree not many yards distant. In spite of the uncertain light he instantly recognised the figure of his chum, and with a wild cry of delight rushed forward to meet him. It was indeed Harry Vaughan, anil what is more, he was quite unhurt, in spite of the many dangers he had encountered. While the garrison had been making their preparations for defence he had managed to give them the slip ; but when climbing over the palisades was observed by someof the Arabs, who instantly gave chase. Being a fleet-footed boy, however, he kept well ahead of his pursuers, and on reaching the jungle managed to climb into a sheltering tree, where he lay in safety, but was afraid to descend for fear of again falling into the hands of the cruel Arabs. My readers may imagine how happy the two midshipmen felt as they steamed down the river again to Darra Salaam, and how thankful those who had been left on board the Galatea were when they learned of the success of the expedition.

Arthur Lee.