Of course
Archie and Bill Hickson were among the crew of the first boat, and
each was as fully armed as any of the sailors.
The two boats pulled quietly for the shore, keeping close together,
and they were beached at the same time. The natives, or whoever
occupied the tents, had evidently not yet discovered them, and the men
halted upon landing to decide what they had better do. The tents could
be plainly seen through the trees, and there was smoke rising from a
fire somewhere in the neighbourhood, but there were no noises which
could be heard so far away. It was decided to march up to the tents
and find out who occupied them, and the column kept close together as
they advanced, for things were so quiet it was feared the rebels, if
such they were, might be in ambush.
The men got within a hundred feet of the camp, when they heard several
terrible yells in succession, and several natives ran out from behind
one of the tents, screaming at the top of their voices, and not
pausing to look around at all. The officer in command of the company
of men was much disturbed by this demonstration, and, without pausing
a moment, gave the order to fire. Five of the natives fell
immediately, but the other six kept running, and soon disappeared
among the trees on the other side of the clearing. The men stood still
awaiting developments, but though they waited several minutes nothing
more was heard, and it was decided that the camp must be deserted.
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