obtained an absolute control； without the slightest attempt at
resistance to my authority。
I had learnt to like the Soudanis； there was an untiring energy in their
movements very unlike the Egyptians； they only required European
officers to become first…rate troops。
Although the force had much improved by the increase of discipline； they
would have much preferred the good old times of plunder and prisoners。
The officers had always looked forward to the glorious opportunity of
procuring a few slaves in Central Africa； although they could not
exactly define the manner of obtaining them： thus my severe orders upon
this subject caused a serious heart…burning； and a desire to give up so
barren an expedition。
The station was now complete； and well fortified by a ditch and
earthwork。 My own little station was the picture of neatness。 I had two
acres of the finest Egyptian cotton （galleen）。 Every inch of the knoll
was highly cultivated； the lawn was closely cut； and the diahbeeah；
which was our home； lay snugly alongside the bank； close to which was a
little summer…house； surrounded by a prolific garden。 This was a little
gem of civilization set in the middle of savage Africa。 My 〃Forty
Thieves〃 were perfect gentlemen in comparison with the line regiments。
The sanitary arrangements of the station were good； there was very
little sickness； at the same time that upwards of 400 men suffered from
ulcerated legs at head…quarters。
Our domestics were much improved。 Those who had been slaves liberated by
me from the traders' vessels at Tewfikeeyah； had learnt their duties；
and had become very useful。 My wife had trained some nice girls of
seventeen or eighteen to household duties； in addition to half a dozen
excellent boys； who were all neatly clothed； and kept in admirable
discipline。 Among these was the Abyssinian boy； 〃Amam；〃 who had lately
received his freedom。 He was a pretty little lad； and his brown
complexion looked quite light in comparison with his coal…black
comrades。 The Abyssinian blood showed in strong contrast to the negro
type around him； and he was far superior in intelligence to any of the
Central Africans。
The girls were under old Karka； who had been with us throughout our
former journey。 This old woman was very proud because I had given 12 to
purchase her freedom in Khartoum。 She was a good old soul； but
wonderfully fond of fine clothes； and on great occasions she always
turned out in clouds of snowy muslin with red edges and fringe； like a
young Abyssinian beauty。 It was amusing to see her emerge from her hut
in full costume； her broad； flat face beaming with smiles in happy
consciousness of universal admiration。
Old Karka was a sort of duenua to watch over the morals of the younger
girls； and to see that they did not become too 〃fast〃； but I believe
that even the heart of Karka beat high when a certain corporal of the
gallant 〃Forty Thieves〃 passed by。 Old Karka was actually accused of
sending presents of food； carefully cooked by her own hands； to the
house of this same corporal； Abdullah； thus appealing to his stomach；
which is the direct road to the heart； in African courtship。 The younger
girls and the boys of the establishment exclaimed； 〃Mashallah！ Old
Karka！ who would have believed it？〃
It was curious to observe the difference between my station and that of
head…quarters at Gondokoro： at one； all was contentment and good order；
in the other； discontent and disorder。
I had constant complaints from Mr。 Higginbotham that my orders； that he
should be supplied with men for public works； were disobeyed； and that
every obstacle was thrown in his way。
My Englishmen had been； as usual； very industrious and having erected
the iron magazines； they were now engaged in building a flat…bottomed
barge to assist in transporting corn from the islands south of Regiaf。
They had not been in the best health； but they nevertheless continued to
work with an energy and spirit that were a delightful contrast to the
sluggishness and apathy of the Egyptians。
Immediately on my return from Belinian； I had given orders that thirty
vessels should be prepared to return to Khartoum。
I had not returned these vessels earlier； as I required all the sailors
to assist in building the station； and in collecting corn for the
troops。 At this season （October） the Nile was at its maximum； therefore
I hoped there would be no difficulty in the return voyage to Khartoum
with empty vessels； and the stream in their favour。 Had I returned them
earlier； I should have been obliged to victual them for a four months'
voyage； at a time when corn was extremely scarce。 The sailors had now
assisted us in our work； and they would not require provisions for more
than two months； as the Nile was full。
Every arrangement that I had made had been most carefully considered。
There can be no doubt that the greatest enemy to the expedition was the
White Nile。 This adverse river had given a serious check。 The work and
fatigue in cutting through the obstructions had killed many men； and had
laid the seeds of fatal complaints among many others。 The men's hearts
had been broken at the onset。 There was even now a feeling of despair of
the possibility of receiving supplies and reinforcements by river from
Khartoum。 We appeared to have forsaken the known world； and； having
passed the river Styx； to have become secluded for ever in a wild land
of our own； where all were enemies； like evil spirits； and where it was
necessary either to procure food at the point of the bayonet； or to lie
down and die。
If the White Nile had been the fine； navigable river that I had known in
former years； I believe I should have had no difficulty； as I could have
quickly overcome the scruples of my officers by direct reports of their
conduct to the Khedive； but we were lost to the world almost as
absolutely as though quartered in the moon。
I had proposed； when in Cairo； that steamers should run monthly between
Khartoum and Gondokoro； with the post and all necessary supplies。 In
former days this would have been a matter of course； and the fact of a
connection with the Soudan government would have supported discipline；
but the frightful obstructions of the river rendered communication
impossible； except by a regular expedition in large force。
My own heart felt heavy sometimes； but I said nothing。 I could easily
appreciate the feelings of others； whose hearts were not actually in
favour of the enterprise。
Nevertheless I commanded； and no matter what the obstacles might be； I
had only one duty。
A new and sad calamity had attacked us。 The well…known African
horse…sickness broke out。 In spite of every precaution； my horses died。
The disease commenced by an appearance of languor； rapid action of the
heart； scantiness of urine； costiveness； swelling of the forehead above
the eyes； which extended rapidly to the whole head； stiffness and
swelling of the neck； eyes prominent and bloodshot； running at the nose
of foul greenish matter in extraordinary quantities；convulsions；
death。
My favourite Horse； 〃The Pig；〃 was attacked。 I had anxiously watched him
daily； and one morning I fancied that the usual hollow above the eyes
was rather full。 This fatal symptom was too true a warning。 He passed
through the usual stages of the complaint； and died on the same day that
he was first attacked。
I had only seven horses remaining out of twenty…one that had started
with me from Cairo。 In addition to these； were two horses belonging to
the officers。
The fact of the horses dying added to the unfavourable impression
already in the minds of the officers and troops。 In addition to this
calamity； the drought at Gondokoro had been unprecedented。 The native
cultivation； and that of the troops； had all perished on the light sandy
soil of Gondokoro。 Rain had fallen in the vicinity； but this unfortunate
locality is very subject to droughts； as the rain…clouds are attracted
by neighbouring mountains； where they expend themselves。 The rich soil
of the river islands will always insure a crop； as the roots penetrate
to a depth where they obtain moisture from the river。 As already
described； the troops had worked so badly； that one half of the island
crop had been carried away by birds。 Thus； when the harvest was in their
hands； they neglected to gather it； they now complained that nothing
would succeed in Gondokoro。
Abou Saood had not gone to Khartoum； therefore his journey to Belinian
to request my permission to depart； was only a ruse for some purpose at
present unknown。
I shall now extract verbatim from my journal the entry upon October 13；
1871：
〃October 13； Friday。The truth has burst out at last。 As I have long
expected； the evil spirit has brooded mischief。〃
Late last night I received a letter from Raouf Bey inclosing two others：
one from the regimental officers； addressed to their respective
lieutenant…colonels； the other from the lieutenant…colonels； inclosing
the letters； and seconding the declaration with a petition embodying the
same request to the full colonel。 The letter from Raouf Bey supported
the petitions and seconded the general complaint。 The burden of this
lengthy and carefully…arranged correspondence； was the determination of
the officers and troops to abandon the expedition and return to
Khartoum。 The seals of every officer were attached； with the exception
of those belonging to the 〃Forty Thieves。〃
I noticed that although there were three separate letters upon several
immense sheets of paper； they were all written in the same handwriting。
This proved that they were the result of dictation from a superior； and
I at once traced the conspiracy to the colonel； Raouf Bey； the friend of
Abou Saood。
It had been pre…arranged in this fashion； without a hint of such an
intention having been given to me； that the officers should sign a
round…robin to their lieutenant…colonels； the latter should support and
forward the petition； together with a letter from themselves； the
colonel should then forward this general and irresistible expression of
public opinion to me； together with a long epistle from himself；
explaining the absolute necessity of a ge