With no thought for his dignity as a British officer, Jack ran past the troops, barely acknowledging the salutes of the men, and surged ahead. Buller stood on his own, talking to a group of his spies.
“The released hostage?” Jack asked. “Where are they?”
Buller shook his head. “They"re not here yet, Windrush. Sorry old chap. You"ll have to wait for them. It"s not safe to go on. The Ashantis are a bit treacherous, don"t you know?”
“To the devil with the Ashantis,” Jack said. “I"m going up the track.”
“I wouldn"t if I were you,” Buller said, as Jack loped ahead, part running, part striding, and unheedful of any possible Ashanti ambush.
Mary, dear God, I hope you are safe! Jack tried to control his rising excitement as he thought of taking his wife in his arms once more and losing his na
