son of sheik Abbio； of Lobore； would have absconded with all his people；
had he not been retained by the troops。 This man was responsible for the
natives who had engaged themselves for the journey。
It would have been the height of imprudence to have permitted the
immediate departure of our carriers before I had arranged for the
future； thus about eighty were secured by the soldiers； including the
sheik's son； from a general stampede that took place。
I ordered them to be disarmed； as I considered that if unarmed； they
would not venture alone through the Madi country。
In the evening they were secured by a slight line tied round each man's
neck； and connected in gangs of five。 A guard was placed over them in
addition to the usual sentries。
At about 4 a。m。 a signal was given by one of their people。 Every man had
gnawed through his cord with his teeth during the darkness； and at the
concerted cry in a language that no one understood； the entire party； of
upwards of eighty men； knocked down the astonished guard； also the
sentries； and rushed headlong over the rocks in the direction of Lobore。
It was a natural impulse and a soldier's duty to fire in the direction
of the assailants； as the overturned sentries quickly recovered and
joined the guard in a volley。
I was up in an instant； and upon arrival at the spot I was informed of
the occurrence。 It was pitch dark； therefore a lantern was brought； and
after a search； three bodies were discovered of the rash and unfortunate
Lobore。 I was exceedingly sorry that such an event had happened； at the
same time I could hardly blame the sentries。 I was much afraid that if
three were shot dead； others must have escaped wounded； and altogether
the affair would have a bad effect at Lobore。
The sheik of Fatiko was named Wat…el…Ajoos。 This name had been given him
by the slave…hunters； meaning 〃Son of the old man。〃 His village was not
quite half a mile from our camp； and he frequently came to see me with
his interpreter； accompanied by his wives。
Upon his first visit I gave him a long blue shirt； together with some
yards of Turkey red cambric； to form a waist sash； also a red fez and
two razors； with a quantity of beads for his wives。
Fatiko is merely a district of the great country of Shooli； which is
governed by the sheik； Rot Jarma。 This person had sent word that he
intended to visit me； to tender his allegiance to the government。
On 16th March； a wild sound of many horns was the first introduction；
and shortly after； a number of his people advanced chanting a peculiar
low song； and dancing a solemn slow step。 The great sheik came behind
them。 He was quickly ushered into my presence beneath a shady acacia；
close to my tent door。 He was perfectly red from head to toes； having
been freshly smeared with red ochre and grease for the interview。 A
well…dressed skin of an antelope was slung across his shoulder； and
descending across his loins it constituted his scanty clothing。
His conversation was merely a repetition of the old story being a series
of complaints against the slave…hunters。 He declared that he had never
visited Abou Saood or any of his people； but that when he had heard of
my arrival； he had determined at once to offer his allegiance； and he
and all adjacent countries would serve the government faithfully； in
return for protection and justice。
I assured him that he had nothing to fear from the slave…hunters in
future； as I should leave Major Abdullah and a detachment of troops to
represent the government during my absence。 He was to supply them with
corn； and to yield the same obedience to Major Abdullah as he would to
me。 I gave him nine yards of red cotton cloth； six pounds of beads； two
razors； one comb； two horn snakes in boxes； one knife； one burning
glass； one zinc mirror； two nickel spoons； three rods of thick brass
wire； two finger rings； two pair of ear…rings； two red and yellow cotton
handkerchiefs。
The total value of this extensive present was about twenty…one
shillings。
Before he had arrived； he had requested that a goat might be sent to be
slaughtered at a stream before he should cross over； otherwise bad luck
would attend his visit。 Of course this was acceded to； and the goat was
sacrificed and eaten by his people。
I gave him； according to my usual custom with all sheiks and headmen；
seeds of the best Egyptian cotton； tomatoes； pumpkins； cucumbers；
water…melons； sweet…melons； barmian； maize； &c。； &c。
Before parting； I amused and shocked him with the magnetic battery； and
he went away surprised and delighted。
I subsequently discovered that a large quantity of flour； together with
some fowls which he had forwarded to me； had been stopped and
appropriated by the renowned Ali Hussein。 The intriguing spirit of these
slave…hunters was extraordinary。 It is their custom never to receive a
sheik unless he brings a present。 He therefore considered that if Rot
Jarma should appear for the first time before me empty…handed； I should
either not admit him； or perhaps be prejudiced against him； thus he had
stolen the customary gift of introduction in order to create ill…will on
my part towards Rot Jarma； who had never yet condescended to visit the
station of Abou Saood 。 。 。 。 。
Wat…el…Ajoos； with the assistance of Shooli and Gimoro； had collected
200 carriers； all of whom had received each a cow。
I had assorted the luggage； and although I had not the slightest
suspicion of any fighting； nevertheless my ammunition formed a
considerable portion of the heavier baggage。
Major Abdullah had received his instructions； and a site had been chosen
for his station within a hundred yards of the south extremity of that of
Abou Saood。 This position was backed by a high rock； upon which I had
already commenced to build a powder magazine of solid masonry。
Abou Saood having as usual sworn upon the eyes and head of the Prophet
to do all that was right and virtuous； and the natives throughout the
country being confident of protection； I prepared for the journey to
Unyoroa distance across the uninhabited prairies of seventy…eight
miles from Fatiko； due south。
Our excellent and trusty friend Shooli was to be our guide。 Gimoro was
prevented from accompanying us owing to a wounded foot。
CHAPTER XVII。
THE MARCH TO UNYORO。
On 18th March； 1872； we were all in order for the march to the south；
under the direction of our guide； Shooli。
Having taken leave of Major Abdullah； I left him a good supply of sheep
and cattle for his detachment； and at 2 p。m。 we started for the prairie
march to Unyoro。
The descent from the table land of Fatiko was rapid for the first seven
miles； at which point we reached a stream of clear running water； which
is one of the channels of the Un…y…Ame river。
The limit of the inhabited country is about three miles from the camp at
Fatiko； after which all is wilderness to Unyoro。
This fertile country has been left uninhabited； on account of the
disturbance occasioned by the diversity of tribes。 On the east it is
bounded by Umiro； on the south by Unyoro； and on the west by Madi。 This
large tract of land； about eighty miles from north to south； is
accordingly the resort of wild animals； and it forms the favourite
hunting…ground of the various tribes； who generally come into conflict
with each other during their excursions in pursuit of game。
We halted for the night at the clear stream of the Un…y…Ame； as the
native carriers expected their wives to bring them provisions for the
journey。 It was only five o'clock； therefore I strolled along the banks
of the stream accompanied by Shooli； and shortly came upon game。
At this season the country was very lovely； as the young grass was
hardly a foot high。 Stalking was extremely difficult； as the land was
clear of trees； and the long sweeping undulations exposed every object
to view when upon the face of the inclines。 I managed at length to get a
tolerable shot at one of the beautiful teel antelopes （Leucotis）； by
creeping up the broken bed of a water…course until I arrived at a
white…ant hill。 On my way home I shot a gazelle； thus the natives all
had flesh from the two animals on the first night of the march。
The wives appeared to be excellent women； as they arrived in great
numbers with a quantity of hard porridge made of dhurra flour； which was
to form the commissariat for a journey of nearly 160 miles to Unyoro and
back。
If a native travels through wilderness； he will always make forced
marches； thus the Fatikos would only sleep one night upon the road of
seventy…eight miles when on the return journey。
On the following morning； we were rather late in starting； as more women
arrived with food； and certain farewells took place。 The Fatiko natives
appeared to be very superior to the Lobore； as not one man absconded。 In
fact； one native who had a swollen leg which prevented him from walking；
actually sent back his cow with an explanation of the cause of absence。
On 19th March we started at 6。50 a。m。； all our carriers being well
provided with food。 The country was as usual a well…watered undulating
prairie； abounding in game。 At this season the journey was very
delightful； but when the grass is about nine feet high it is simply
detestable travelling。
On the march； we； as usual； led the way。 Lieutenant Baker dismounted for
a shot at a splendid buck （Leucotis）； which he wounded somewhere behind；
and the animal made off in evident discomfort。 This was a signal for the
natives； who immediately put down their loads and started off in
pursuit； like a pack of hounds。
Although the animal was badly hit； the pace was very great； and it went
along the face of the opposite undulation followed by the extraordinary
runners； who； with their long springing strides； kept up a speed for
about three…quarters of a mile that at length brought the leading native
sufficiently near for throwing his lance。 The next moment a crowd of
hungry fellows fell upon the welcome name like starving wolves。
After a march of twelve miles we arrived at a rocky stream of clear
water； which is another channel of the Un…y…Ame river； that carries off
the main drainage of this country。