ammunition； which they had taken in various massacres of the
slave…traders' parties some years before。 On one occasion they had
killed 126 of the traders in one day； and had possessed themselves of
their arms； with many cases of cartridges。
On several occasions they had destroyed smaller parties with the same
result； and they had never been at peace with Abou Saood since he had
treacherously murdered their Sheik and his family。 Recently having
allied with Abou Saood's friends （the Baris of Gondokoro）； against the
government； some of the Belinian people had ventured to trade； and had
established a communication with Abou Saood's people； from whom they
purchased ammunition in exchange for tobacco。
Having given orders on the previous evening that the men were to be
under arms ready for the march at 1 a。m。； I was annoyed to find that
neither officers nor men were prepared when I arrived punctually at the
hour appointed at head…quarters。 The colonel； Raouf Bey； was fast
asleep； and had to be roused by the sentry。 This was a breach of
discipline that cost Major Achmet Rafik his life。 After some annoying
delay I started for Belinian。 At that time； in the dark night； I was not
aware that Achmet Rafik was absent。 This officer was a thorough…bred
Turk； and he had seen much service； having been through the Crimean war；
and also in that of Arabia； under Abbas Pacha。 He ought to have known
better； but he shared the prevalent feeling of discontent； thus； instead
of being on the alert and at his post； he was asleep when the troops
started on their night march。
When awakened； he hastily dressed； buckled on his sword and revolver；
and taking a double…barrelled gun in his hand he endeavoured to follow
the troops； but mistook the direction； and lost his way in the dark。
We arrived at the open valley of Belinian at day…break； but native
scouts had already given the alarm of our approach。 There were some
hundred villages situated in the vale and on the heights along the base
of the mountain； but at this season only the tops of the huts were
visible above the high dhurra； which was just ripened； although the
general harvest had not yet commenced。
There is no covert so much in favour of native warfare as the high
dhurra； which perfectly conceals their movements； at the same time that
it is easily passed through at speed。
The Bari drums were beating throughout the country； and their horns were
sounding in all directions。 Clearing the way with skirmishers； we
marched along a good path for about four miles parallel with the base of
the mountain； until we arrived at a plain or bottom； which bore the
marks of cattle…hoofs in great numbers。 This spot was about thirteen
miles from head…quarters at Gondokoro。
There was no dhurra cultivation on the right； near the base of the
mountain； as the soil was poor and sandy： we thus had a clear view of
the country。 The cattle had been driven off； and we were only in time to
see them disappearing over the distant high ground。 The natives had
collected in large numbers； and seemed disposed to dispute the advance
of the troops。
The ground was perfectly clean； as the cattle had fed off the grass
until it was as smooth as a garden lawn。 From the position we occupied；
the country inclined upwards towards the base of the mountain； about a
mile and a half distant； this interval abounded in villages； all of
which were defended by stockades。 At the base of the mountain were
broken hills； composed of huge granite rocks； the foundations of
mountains that had long since decayed。 Upon all these strong positions
were the usual stockaded villages。
I ordered the troops to extend in two lines； supported by a reserve with
the field…piece and rocket…trough。 With the 〃Forty Thieves〃 in the
front； we advanced along the plain towards the mountain。
The Baris now opened fire upon us from their villages； from which they
were driven in succession； until no enemy remained to oppose us except
those upon the high ground。
Our right was now protected by an exceedingly deep ravine； which was a
watercourse cut by the torrents from the mountain。 I accordingly took a
party of the 〃Forty Thieves；〃 and following along the edge of the
ravine； ascended the slope that led to the stockades upon the heights。
Great numbers of natives had assembled； and were shouting the most
abusive epithets in Arabic until we arrived at about a hundred yards
from the foremost stockade。 This now opened fire upon us； the natives
being concealed within； and aiming with their muskets between the
interstices of the upright piles。
My riflemen now knelt down and fired at the puffs of smoke as they
issued from the impenetrable ironwood zareebas。 This was just the work
that the Baris understood； as their position enabled them to fight
unseen among the numerous stockades and high rocks clothed with bush。
The bullets were whistling merrily； and presently a soldier by my side
was shot through the fleshy part of the hip。 I examined him； and saw
that the bullet bad passed through；therefore he continued firing。 A
wife of one of the soldiers was shot through the calf of the leg。 She
had accompanied him with a small parcel of cooking…pots and food from
Gondokoro that morning and thus came under fire。
The main body was delayed in the rear； replying to the fire of the Baris
on the other side of the impassable ravine。 I had only twenty men with
me in addition to Lieutenant Baker。 I therefore ordered the bugler to
sound the 〃assembly；〃 as I determined to attack the stockades with the
whole force。
In a few minutes the main body arrived； and formed for the attack。 The
bugles and drums sounded the advance； and the troops； having fired
several volleys； rushed on at the double and stormed the position。 This
was well executed； and the rush was so unexpected by the Baris； that the
stockades were taken at the point of the bayonet； Captain Morgian
Sherreef ＇*＇ distinguishing himself by the gallant manner in which he
led his company； he was the first man to break through the gateway。
＇*Footnote： This officer was a Soudani who had served under Marshal
Bazaine for four years in Mexico。＇
This attack was something that the Baris did not comprehend。 They had
only been accustomed to face the slave…hunters' irregular companies； and
they had never seen a charge borne with the bayonet。 They now began to
clamber up the rocks and ascend the mountain with the activity of
baboons； while a sharp fire from the snider rifles acted like a spur
upon their movements。 A shell from the gun now burst over a number of
the enemy who had collected about 800 yards in our rear。 This was an
unmistakable notice to quit。 We set fire to the stockades； and the Baris
having disappeared； I selected a position for a night's bivouac。
There was a bad supply of water； and we could procure； nothing but a
muddy mixture which smelt strongly of goats。 We had found a number of
fat calves and sheep； thus； having fixed upon a site in the flat open
plain； the men collected firewood； and when the evening set in； the camp
fires were blazing and every man was well supplied with food。
I doubled the sentries for the night； but we remained undisturbed。
I was very anxious about the major； Achmet Rafik； as Raouf Bey and the
officers declared that he would have certainly endeavoured to follow the
troops rather than run the risk of disobeying the orders he had
received。 The Baris never take prisoners； and should they meet him；
which would be most probable； his death was certain。
On the following morning I ordered an advance towards the north side of
the plain； where I had observed a line of zareebas upon elevated ground
that commanded a view of the plain and the base of the mountain that we
had attacked yesterday。
On arrival upon the higher ground； I found the country perfectly flat
and completely covered with heavy crops of ripe dhurra； in which the
zareebas were concealed； with the exception of the tops of the huts。
Drums were beating and horns blowing in all these stockades。
I had a suspicion that the Baris might have stationed sharp…shooters in
ambush among the high dhurra。 I therefore directed a couple of rockets
through the corn。 The rush of these unknown projectiles produced a great
effect； as they burst through the stockade； and buzzed and whizzed about
the huts within the defence。 An eight…pound shell from the gun now
crashed through the stockade and went howling along through the dense
fields of dhurra； until it exploded about 500 yards in the rear。
The bugle immediately sounded the advance with the bayonet； and the
troops made a rush forward through the corn and captured the stockade。
We now found no less than six of these powerful inclosures within an
area of about four acres。 These would form an admirable position。 I
therefore gave orders that the corn should be immediately cleared away
so as to leave an open space。 Guards were posted in various places；
sentries were placed on the summits of the tallest huts to keep a good
look…out； while the remainder of the force set to work and commenced
clearing。 By sunset we had cut down about six acres。
I gave orders to Raouf Bey to divide the troops in four stockades； which
formed a sort of quadrilateral。 This officer suggested that the men
might all be massacred by a Bari night…attack if thus divided； and he
proposed to inclose the whole force of 450 men within one zareeba； like
sheep or cattle！ In spite of our successes； the officers had a wholesome
dread of the Baris； that relieved me from all apprehensions of their
erring by an excess of rashness。
I divided the soldiers of the line in three zareebas； while I occupied
the fourth with Lieutenant Baker and twenty men of the 〃Forty Thieves。〃
Every day was now passed in collecting corn； but the soldiers as usual
worked badly。 In the mean time the natives worked most energetically
during the night； and carried off ten times the amount gathered by the
troops。 There was so bad a feeling among the officers； that it was easy
to perceive they were predetermined to neglect this opportunity of
filling our granaries。
The Baris were excellent diplomatists； and； seeing that w