The scheme was excellent in every way. Under ordinary conditions it
would have achieved success, but the sane mind can never take into
reckoning the vagaries of the insane, and it is quite certain that
Alfieri, worn alike by hardship and long brooding over his wrongs,
either went stark staring mad at the spectacle of relief being
forthcoming for those whom he believed to be entrapped, or gave instant
rein to the frenzy already consuming him.
At a moment, then, when it was suicidal to attempt an attack which his
men had refused to carry out under the much less dangerous conditions
that prevailed all day--it was ascertained afterwards that the first
shower of bullets fell into the startled camp about ten o'clock that
morning--at that moment, Alfieri, screaming curses in Italian and
Arabic, called on those nearest to follow him, and rode out from the
shelter of one of the small hills. In sheer excitement, a few
Hadendowas obeyed his wild command. They had not far to go, but the
rocky water-course barred the track and they must cross it slowly.
Pages:
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434