public opinion to me； together with a long epistle from himself；
explaining the absolute necessity of a general abandonment of the
expedition； and a return to Khartoum。
I find these words in my journal：〃These letters from the officers
declare； that the expedition must return to Khartoum； as there is no
corn in the country； and the soldiers would die of starvation。
〃Although these people complain of want； they actually purchased 126
slaves during the journey from Tewfikeeyah； thus adding to the number of
mouths； and at the same time acting against my positive orders。
〃They say there is no corn in the country； but as yet they know nothing
of the neighbourhood； with the exception of Belinian； and when in the
midst of plenty they _will not collect it。_ Thus the Khedive's officers
would actually abandon the expedition； and forsake the immense amount of
stores； merchandise； &c。； which would fall into the hands of the
natives。
〃By God； not a man shall go back； except by my orders！ no matter whether
they mutiny or not。 I shall forward the officers' letters to the
Khedive。〃
This conspiracy would have played the game of Abou Saood； and he would
have revelled in his success。 I made no remarks upon the conduct of
Raouf Bey； but the chain of facts will speak for themselves。
For the first half…hour after the receipt of these letters； I was
disgusted through every bone。 It appeared as though all hope of success
was gone。 What could be done with such wretched and treacherous
material？
I would not condescend a reply to the letters I had received。 I rode up
to head…quarters； Mr。 Higginbotham was ill； as were also some of the
Englishmen and Mr。 Marcopolo。 Nevertheless all were unanimous in their
resolve to stand by the expedition at any risk。
I sent Lieutenant Baker； R。N。； to Raouf Bey； with instructions not to
mention the letters； but to convey the following order：
〃Colonel Raouf Bey； with six companies of troops； to be under arms at 2
A。M。； to await me at head…quarters。〃
Mr。 Higginbotham had the entire charge of the vessels。 I ordered three
noggurs to be prepared； together with one small diahbeeah； to pass the
troops across the river at 2 A。M。
All troops and sailors were to take two days' provisions。 I had
determined to push straight for the Bari islands； south of Regif hill。
Should I be able to procure the supply of corn that I expected； it would
at once checkmate the conspiracy。
The Baris of Regiaf and south of that hill had been allied with those
of Belinian； and had taken charge of their great herds during the
month's campaign in that country。
We started punctually at the time appointed； and sailed for about seven
miles up the river； which at this season could be navigated without
difficulty。 We now crossed over to the west bank； and the wind being
foul； the soldiers turned out and hauled the vessels against the stream
by tow…ropes。
The country was perfectly lovely。 The high； rocky hills； a few miles
distant； sloped in beautiful undulations of open； park…like land to the
river's bank。 Here and there fine ornamental trees were dotted about the
surface； but the absence of forest would have rendered the locality
unfit for a large station。
The villages were innumerable： but there was not a sign of friendship
among the numerous population。 The natives poured out of their various
stations leaping； brandishing their spears； and gesticulating with
unmistakable actions of hostility。
The river was about 500 yards wide； and in several places the dull； grey
heads of rocks protruded from the surface。 We therefore continued to tow
the vessels close to the bank； with a party marching parallel to protect
the flank in case of a sudden attack。
The natives evidently intended to oppose us。 I always gave the Baris a
fair chance； and allowed them to make the first hostile move before I
proceeded to forcible measures。 I therefore landed and advanced a few
hundred paces inland。 There were many curious rocks in this
neighbourhood； some of which were clean blocks of granite in masses of
forty or fifty feet high； piled roughly as though arranged artificially。
The natives； as we advanced； moved gradually towards this shelter； in
which they squatted until we arrived within a hundred and twenty paces。
My interpreter now conversed with them； saying that I had not come to
fight； but to purchase corn； that I would give them a cow for each
googoo full of unthrashed dhurra： this was the usual price when the
natives traded among themselves。
In reply to this polite assurance； they used most insulting language；
and said〃You need not offer us your cattle； as we intend to take them
by force； therefore； be off to Khartoum！〃
By this time I had advanced with the interpreter to within a hundred
yards of them。 They were completely in my power； but I resisted the
temptation。 This is the disadvantage in treating with savages。 I always
afforded them every opportunity for peaceful arrangements； and returned
civil replies to their abusive and coarse insults。 This gave them the
advantage of selecting their own convenience for an attack。 A hundred
times I have had them in my grasp； as upon this occasion； when a
well…directed volley would have created a terrible effect； but I have
always been patient； and allowed them to strike the first blow。
I now explained to them my position。 I gave them the instance of their
friends at Belinian； and begged them to avoid a similar necessity。 I
must have corn。 Their granaries were overflowing； while mine were empty。
I had many thousand cattle in addition to all kinds of merchandise。 I
desired fair dealing； which would give satisfaction to all parties。 They
simply shouted a derisive reply； coupled with most disgusting and
insulting language。
〃Won't you have a shot； sir； at that fellow on the rock？〃 said my
shadow； Monsoor； who was always at my elbow。 I declined the invitation；
to the great disappointment of my men； at the same time I explained to
these pig…headed Baris that they must accept the consequences of their
conduct。
I ordered the bugler to sound the assembly。
With great readiness the troops left the vessels； and having formed；
they marched up the slope with drums and bugles。 I now made a display of
force； and once more addressed the natives； explaining that the men were
hungry and would take their corn gratis unless they would agree to sell
a portion。
The natives sullenly withdrew to a greater distance； and commenced
blowing their whistles； and making a peculiar shrill cry which is used
by them generally in derision and contempt of an enemy。 The last words
we distinguished as they increased their distance； were a threat to
exterminate us during the night； if we dared to remain in their country。
It appeared hopeless to attempt a peaceful communication with the Baris。
This portion of the country to the south of Regiaf was immensely
populous； and the natives were more dreaded by the slave…traders than
any other。 I now determined to examine some of the villages。
Having extended the men in line so as to cover about half a mile； I
ordered the advance towards the hill of Regiaf； with strict orders that
no soldier was to enter a hut； but they were simply to examine the
villages as they passed through； by tapping the numerous wicker googoos
or granaries with their hands； to prove whether they were full； These
neat little granaries contained generally about forty bushels； but they
varied in size： some would have held more than double that quantity。
The natives watched us in considerable numbers from all points。 In this
manner we examined twenty or thirty villages； each of which contained at
least fifteen googoos； nearly all of which were quite full of corn。 The
entire country was overflowing with dhurra and sesame。 As far as the eye
could reach were innumerable villages； all of which we knew were stores
of abundance； by the samples we had already examined。
From the high land of Regiaf； we looked down upon a long series of rich
islands in the river； that appeared to be nothing but a line of
granaries； as I could distinguish with the telescope the numerous clumps
of googoos and small villages that fringed the fertile banks of these
welcome retreats。
I felt as the Israelites； when the manna and the quails appeared in the
desert。 Thank God； we were delivered from the danger of famine； and we
had at length arrived at the Promised Land。
Even the officers； all of whom had signed the declaration 〃that there
was no corn in the country； therefore they must return to Khartoum；〃
looked delighted； and exclaimed 〃Mashallah！〃
I felt the relief； for I had suffered much anxiety； but outwardly I took
it very coolly； and quite as a matter of course。 I explained to the
officers and men； that of course they were ignorant of the country； but
that if they relied upon me； I should always lead them （〃Inshallah！〃）
into a land of plenty。 The black officers now began to exclaim；
〃Wah…Illai！ the Pacha knows the country well！ Who would have believed
when at Gondokoro that there was corn enough for a couple of years
within a day's march？〃
〃A couple of years！〃 cried another； 〃we couldn't eat this corn in ten
years！〃
〃We might drink merissa every day in this country；〃 exclaimed others of
the soldiers。
Sailors who have been in danger of shipwreck； with a rocky shore close
on the lea in a heavy gale； may understand the relief offered by a
sudden shift of wind in the moment of extremity。 Such experience alone
can allow an appreciation of the mental reaction after a great strain of
anxiety that I had suffered for some time past。
A certain knowledge of human nature determined me to improve； without a
moment's delay； the opportunity； while the troops were under the first
impulse of astonishment and delight。
I addressed myself to the 〃Forty Thieves〃 in particular； and to the line
generally； and explained 〃the pleasure that I felt in now being able to
increase their rations of corn； that had been reduced by half。 At the
same time I had been much dissatisfied with the small collection they
had made from the harvest at Belinian。 I knew the country； and this was
the only true granary t