Amongst the troops was Major von Eckenstein, who had been discovered lying unconscious at the foot of the cliffs. He was badly battered about the face, and severely hurt internally. When he came to he was quite unable to account for his injuries. It was quite evident that from a combatant point of view the arrogant major was out of the running.
As soon as the Pelikan was in comparative safety the German troops were re-embarked. The quick-firers which had been landed, and which had served so good a purpose in repelling the British destroyers, were brought round by steamboats and again hoisted on board the Pelikan .
This done the Myra took her big consort in tow, and against the now strong ebb-tide slowly crawled up the turgid river.
Before the tidal stream had turned the two vessels had
