The natives had been trained by the Germans and were led by a single German officer, Mauderer. Palmer fired at the officer and shot him through the hand. The natives returned the fire but Mauderer surrendered. His wound was bound and he was taken to Bowen. Bowen realised he was in an ambush and used Mauderer as a decoy by making him walk out in the middle of the road and tell the natives to surrender.