had made from the harvest at Belinian。 I knew the country； and this was
the only true granary that admitted of river transport to Gondokoro。 If
they neglected this opportunity； the rations would again be reduced； but
upon no account whatever should I permit the return to Khartoum of any
officers or men； except those who could present a medical certificate of
chronic bad health。 I should thus get rid of the useless mouths； which
would relieve the strong men from the work of gathering corn to feed the
weak； who could not perform their share of the labour。〃
I concluded by recommending them 〃to thank God； and to set to work with
good will。〃
I marched my men to several villages deserted by their inhabitants；
which I occupied in force； and anchored the vessels close to the bank
beneath them。 Having sent for Raouf Bey； I made no other remark； than to
give the orders necessary for the night。 This melancholy officer looked
more miserable than usual； and his expression reminded me of one of
Dante's damned souls； as illustrated by Gustave Dore。
The sun sank； and I had not tasted food for twenty…four hours。 I was
without my wife； therefore I was not very particular； my good Monsoor
having foraged； produced some pumpkin soup； as he termed it； which was
composed of a very watery pumpkin boiled in water without salt。 The next
dish was the very simple native luxury of dhurra flour boiled into a
thick porridge。 I was very hungry and very happy； thus I ate the plain
fare with a good appetite。
Monsoor had made a fire with dry cattle…dung； and spread a native mat on
the ground； close to the smoke； upon which I could sleep if the
mosquitoes would allow me。 I lay as close to the smoke as possible； with
a comfortable log of wood for a pillow； and pondered over the events of
the day； feeling very thankful for the change of circumstances； and
making plans for the morrow until I fell asleep。
No sooner had the bugles sounded the morning call； than I was up and
off。 I instructed Raouf Bey to take a company of troops with the
vessels； and occupy the islands。 At the same time； I marched through the
country to the south； and having passed about three hours in
exploration； I formed two stations in excellent positions； and divided
my men equally under Lieutenant…Colonel Achmet and Major Abdullah。 These
stations were about a mile apart； upon high ground； and commanded a view
of Raouf Bey's vessels； that were already anchored at the island about a
mile and a half below them。 The three positions formed a triangle； in
the very heart of the greatest abundance。
Having concluded these arrangements and established my positions； with
the necessary instructions to the officers in command； I returned to the
river； and prepared to start for Gondokoro in the little dingy。 I did
not wish to take a large vessel； therefore I ordered Raouf Bey to fill
the noggurs with corn as rapidly as possible； and to start them off when
full to Gondokoro。 The granaries on the islands were all full； and close
to the banks； therefore the vessels lay alongside； as though in a dock；
and could load with great ease。
I started in the dingy with two boatmen to row； accompanied by Monsoor
and two soldiers of 〃The Forty。〃
The stream ran at three miles and a half per hour： thus； with good
pulling； we reached head…quarters in one hour and thirty…two minutes； a
distance of about ten miles and a half。
I believe it is common to human nature to love to carry good news。 The
sight of the little dingy approaching Gondokoro alone； had given rise to
all kinds of surmises； and when I reached the shore； a crowd of
officers； soldiers； sailors； and women were standing in expectation upon
the cliff。 My men immediately recounted all particulars。
Great was the joy of the English party at the news of our success。 This
flew through the station； and the Egyptian officers and soldiers slunk
away； whereas； the black wives of the Soudani regiment were delighted；
as they did not wish to go to Khartoum。 These women were slaves that I
had liberated； and they always imagined that if they should arrive at
Khartoum； they would be sold。 This home influence was of service to me。
In conversation with my 〃Forty Thieves〃 I had suggested； that perhaps on
their arrival at Khartoum； the government might not permit them to
retain so many wives in the regiment。 The Soudanis are always happy if
they have a wife and plenty to eat and drink； therefore Central Africa
was preferable to their taste； where they could enjoy domestic bliss
with a young wife； instead of sitting in the sultry barracks of Khartoum
as melancholy bachelors。
I now determined to devote myself specially to the work of collecting
corn。 I therefore placed all my luggage in the magazine； cleared out the
diahbeeah； and towed her up stream from my little station to
head…quarters； ready to start on the following day。
On 17th October I started at 6 a。m。； and reached the island at 4 p。m。
There I found Raouf Bey； and the vessels that I had left in his charge。
He had only occupied one island； and the natives were hard at work
carrying off their corn from the islands to the south。 I immediately
sent troops to take possession。
On 18th October I sent Raouf Bey to Gondokoro； with orders to despatch
to Khartoum all the really sick and incapable； but upon no account to
permit any man to return unless he was hopelessly invalided。
On 19th October； having noticed that the stream brought down numerous
stems of dhurra； I concluded that cultivated islands existed further up
the river。 I therefore instructed Lieutenant Baker to sail up and
explore； at the same time he was to take possession should such islands
be discovered。
On 21st the dingy returned with a letter from Lieutenant Baker； who had；
with only ten men of 〃The Forty；〃 driven out the enemy； and occupied an
island； rich in corn； further south。 The dingy had been attacked on her
way by the Baris； who had shot arrows； all of which had fallen short。 I
immediately started with my diahbeeah and reinforcements； and united
with Lieutenant Baker。 I had now three large islands in possession。 The
fertility of the soil was extraordinary。 The cultivation was confined to
the rim or sides of the islands； as the centre was swampy in the wet
season； but the extreme richness of the soil produced the heaviest
crops； and the granaries were full throughout the very numerous little
villages； that were stationed around the islands。
Having worked for twelve days； during which time numerous vessels had
enlivened the river by passing to and fro heavily laden with corn；
between our granaries and Gondokoro； I received notice from the mainland
that the work of the two stations under Lieutenant…Colonel Achmet and
Major Abdullah was concluded。 Achmet had thrashed out all his corn； and
was waiting for boats to convey it； and Abdullah had shipped all that he
had collected； and was waiting for orders。
I sent instructions； that Abdullah should march his detachment along the
mainland； towards the south； and occupy the villages on the high land；
exactly opposite my vessels。 The country was beautifully open； like a
fine park； in long； rolling undulations； which terminated in rocky
hills； about four or five miles from the river。
On 24th October； having loaded a line of vessels that lay alongside the
island as snugly as though by an artificial quay； I was amusing myself；
together with Lieutenant Baker； in shooting ducks； which swarmed in the
neighbouring ponds and swamps。 At about 4。30 p。m。 I heard rapid
file…firing in the distance； and I concluded that Major Abdullah's
detachment； that was hourly expected； was attacked by the natives。 I at
once returned to the diahbeeah； where my wife was stationed on the high
poop…deck； having a good view of a very pretty little engagement。
The troops were about a mile distant； and while steadily on the march
according to my instructions； they were suddenly attacked by the natives
in great force。 This was a fair stand…up fight in the open。 The big
drums and horns were sounding throughout the country； and the natives
were pouring from all directions to the battle。
The white uniforms of the soldiers formed a strong contrast to the black
figures of the naked Baris； thus we could see the affair distinctly。 We
could also hear the orders given by bugle。
Major Abdullah had prudently secured his rear by the occupation of one
of the small villages； fortified by a hedge of impenetrable euphorbia。
He then threw out skirmishers in line； supported by the force that held
the village。 The natives were yelling in all directions； and I never
before saw them make such a good fight upon the open ground。 They not
only outflanked； but entirely surrounded Abdullah's detachment of ninety
men。 The troops were keeping up a heavy fire； which did not appear to
produce any decided result； as the natives thronged to the fight and
advanced close up to the fire of the soldiers； whom they attacked with
bows and arrows。
I ordered our solitary field…piece to be dismounted； and placed in the
large rowing…boat； together with a rocket…trough； and the requisite
ammunition； in readiness to support Abdullah with a flank attack upon
the natives； by crossing the river； should it be necessary。 As our
vessels were in close view； I waited for the signal by bugle should
Abdullah require assistance。
I had only twenty…two men of the 〃Forty Thieves〃 with me； together with
the eight artillerymen belonging to the gun。 The remainder of 〃The
Forty〃 were holding the second island； about four miles in our rear。
Just before dark； I noticed that the Baris were giving way： they had
evidently suffered some loss； which caused a sudden retreat。 I heard the
bugle sound 〃the advance；〃 and we could see the troops advancing and
firing in pursuit。 The Baris ceased blowing their horns； and collected
in dense bodies at a great distance from the troops； who had halted and
now held the position。
Only occasional shots were now fired； and the sun having set； darkness
gradually dissolved the view。
I fully expected that the Baris would renew the attack during the night；
but I knew that Abdullah was safe in his strong positi