“Kreli knew we would send a patrol,” Abernethy said as Inspector Fraser ordered a rapid withdrawal to Ibeka. “He’s waiting to ambush us.”
As the police trotted back down the road, their hoofbeats echoing from the surrounding hills, the Fingoes ran ahead, outpacing the horses in their eagerness to find safety.
“Don’t look now, Bairdie, but somebody’s following us,” Abernethy said.
The Galekas tramped behind Fraser’s patrol, remaining in their formation, and slowly creeping closer. The proximity of the tribesmen unnerved some of the police, who kicked their horses into a trot.
“Don’t run, boys!” Fraser shouted. “Keep a steady pace and watch the flanks.”
The Galekas closed to within three hundred yards, shouting, waving their weapons and challenging the police to stand and fight.
“They
