To the Boat!

Having located the lone Sampson, with nothing but his rifle, a few rounds and a canteen, Baxter turns back for the river.

The (hastily requisitioned and armed) Navy Gunboat Visayas waits at anchor on the St. Paul river



Commanded by Ensign Newbolt, he's ordered the crew to make ready for a fight and bring up ready ammunition for the deck gun



Baxter's Patrol returning with Sampson



In a bid to make contact with the gunboat crew ashore as quickly as possible, Norton races ahead of the main group



In his haste, he's ambushed by a native warrior, but Norton sidesteps him with ease, ducking under the thrown spear



Meanwhile back on the ridge, two large Achillobators are moving in



Norton reaches the Shore Party, and breathless convinces them to return with him - he knows what's hunting Baxter and his men



An Allosaurus has been trailing them all morning!



With them in sight for once, it races over the ridgeline and towers above them



The Marines are beset on all sides - and their last minute firing has little effect on the creatures



Jackson is torn in half by the Allosaurus, and one of the Achillobators kills Hill too. Baxter smacks the beast in front of him with the stock of his shotgun but that only serves to annoy it!



Norton leads the Shore Party back up the trail - time is of the essence



Sampson has backed away and, taking careful aim with his rifle hits the Achillobator attacking Baxter - the round hits its head and renders it punch-drunk. Baxter takes the opportunity to sprint away from the mayhem



The two groups meet up and with thing quietening down, they creep into the undergrowth to try to evade the terrible lizards



As they move past a still pool, a crocodile surges out of the water - the same "albino alligator" which nearly got Norton two days earlier



The beasts give chase, but this time the Marines and Seamen are ready for them - they open fire to deadly effect



Even the Allosaurus has been slain - they wade out to the gunboat



Quite pleased with this game - and the tweaks that make Perilous Trail a solo game.

More to follow - has the other Marine patrol found the Reverend Johnston?