lower section of the gorge by mule and camel. It waited for them now
at the foot of the gorge where the Sardi River debauched through a
forest of acacia trees into a triangular valley, which in turn widened
to a mouth fifteen miles across before giving way to the open desert.
At the head of the valley, the river sank into the dry earth and began
its long subterranean journey to where it emerged at last in the
scattered water-holes at the Wells of Chaldi.
Lij Mikhael was going up to Sardi with Vicky's car for he had arranged
to meet the Ras of the Gallas there in an attempt to co-ordinate the
efforts of the two tribes against the Italian aggressors, and then an
aircraft was being sent down to Sardi from Addis to fly him to an
urgent war conference with the Emperor at Lake Tona.
Before he left, he spoke privately with Jake and Gareth, walking with
them a short way along the rugged road that climbed steeply up the
gorge following the rocky water course Of the Sardi River.
Now they stood together, staring up the track to where it turned into
the first sleep bend and the river came crashing down beside it in a
tall white-plumed waterfall that drifted mist across the surface of the
track and induced a growth of dark green moss upon the boulders.
'It's as rough as a crocodile's back here,' said Jake. 'Will Vicky get
the car up?'
'I have had a thousand men at work upon it ever since I knew you were
bringing these vehicles,' the Lij told him.
'It is rough, yes, but I think it will be passable.'
'I should jolly well hope so,' Gareth murmured. 'It's the only way out
of this lovely little trap into which we have backed ourselves. Once
the Eyeties close the entrance to the valley-' and he turned and swept
a hand across the vista of plain and mountain that lay spread below
them, and then he smiled at the Prince.
'Just the three of us here now, Toffee old boy. Let's hear from you.
What exactly do you want from us? What are the objectives you have set
for us? Are we expected to defeat the whole bloody army of Italy
before you pay us out?'
'No, Major Swales.' The Prince shook his head. 'I thought I had made
myself clear. We are here to cover the rear and flank of the Emperor's
army. We must expect that eventually the Italians will force their way
up this gorge and reach the plateau and the road to Dessie and Addis we
can't stop them, but we must delay them at least until the main
engagements in the north are decided. If the Emperor succeeds, the
Italians will withdraw here. If he fails, then our task is over.'
'How long until the Emperor fights?'
'Who can tell?' And Jake shook his head, while Gareth took the stub of
his cigar from his mouth and inspected the tip ruefully.
'I'm beginning to think we are being underpaid,' he said.
But the Prince seemed not to hear and he went on speaking quietly but
with a f( -)rce that commanded their attention.
'We will use the cars here on the open ground in front of the gorge to
the best possible effect, and my father's troops will support you.' He
paused, and they all looked down at the sprawling encampment of the
Ras's army, amongst the acacia trees. Stragglers were still drifting
