have heard of my refusal to ally myself with Kabba Rega against him：
thus he would be favourable to the government。
I resolved that； if hostilities should continue； I would proclaim Rionga
representative of the government； as vassal…chief of Unyoro； in the room
of Kabba Rega； deposed。
Rionga would send a letter to warn Major Abdullah at Fatiko； but how was
I to convey my baggage and ammunition from Masindi to Foweera； without a
single carrier； or even a guide？
It was the height of the rainy season； and the grass was about nine or
ten feet high； throughout a country of dense and tangled forest。
I had no interpreter of my own； Umbogo was Kabba Rega's slave； and
although I fancied that he was fond of us； I had no faith in any one of
these detestable people。 This want of confidence was keenly felt at a
time when I required an interpreter in whom I could absolutely trust。 I
was obliged to confide my plan to Umbogo； as I wished him to find some
man among the natives who would take a message to Rionga。
I knew that many people hated Kabba Rega。 Umbogo had frequently assured
me that Mashudi； which was only two days distant from Masindi； to the
south…east； had always been Rionga's stronghold； and that the natives of
that district would rise in favour of their chief； should any reverse
befall Kabba Rega。
The news of the defeat of his army； and the complete destruction of his
capital； would run through the country like wild…fire。 It was well known
that Rionga had spies； who were disguised as friends； even at the court
of Kabba Rega； these agents sent him information of all that occurred。
If Umbogo could communicate with one of these people； I might send off
to Rionga； and beg him to send 300 men to Fatiko； with a letter from
myself to Major Abdullah。 Rionga's people would transport the effects
instead of Rabba Rega's carriers； who would be seized and held as
hostages。 This would save Abdullah from the intended treachery； if it
were done at once； but there was not a moment to lose。
Already fifteen days had elapsed since my party with the post had
started； and by this time they should be near Fatiko； （at that time they
had already been treacherously attacked。） unless they had been delayed
upon the road； as was usual in Unyoro。
If I could depend upon Rionga； he would at once save Abdullah's party；
and he would send a large force to communicate with me at Masindi。
Had I provisions； I could have held my now fortified position against a
whole world of niggers； but with only a hundred men； I should be unable
to forage in this country of high grass； and at the same time defend the
station。
All depended upon the possibility of my communication with Rionga。
Umbogo declared that if I would only march to Mashudi； the natives would
rise in his favour and join me。
I told him that if this were true； he could surely find some person who
would run to Mashudi； and raise the malcontents； who would at once carry
my message to Rionga。
Umbogo promised to do his best： at the same time he expressed an opinion
that Rionga would not wait long in inaction； but that he would invade
Kabba Rega directly that he should hear of the war。 From my experience
of natives； I did not share his opinion。
As Kittakara had apologized for the attack to Colonel Abd…el…Kader； and
a truce had been arranged； a great number of natives spread themselves
over the ruins of the town； to search for the iron molotes； which are
generally concealed in the earth； beneath the floor of the huts。 The
natives were all prodding the smoking ground with the iron…tipped
butt…ends of their lances to discover the treasures。
Umbogo now went among them with his guard； and conversed upon the cause
of the late attack。
In the evening； Umbogo declared that he was not quite certain of the
truth； he evidently suspected the sincerity of Kabba Rega。 It was quite
impossible to procure any messenger at present that could be trusted
with a message to Rionga。
The memorable 8th of June happened to be my birthday。 It had been the
day of death to my lamented follower； Monsoor； but we had well avenged
him。
Umbogo reported that the natives had given him the names of nine
matongales （chiefs） killed in the action； together with a large number
of common people。 A great many were still missing： these were probably
lying in the high grass which had been raked by the hot fire of the
sniders。 Vultures were collected in immense numbers over many spots in
this dense covert； which denoted the places where the 〃missing〃 had
fallen。
I ordered the troops to abandon their undefended camp； and to sleep
within the fort that night。
The morning of the 9th of June arrivedthe night had passed in perfect
quiet。
My troops set to work with their sharp sword…bayonets； swords； knives；
&c。； to cut down all the high grass in the neighbourhood； so as to throw
open the view； and prevent the enemy from attacking us by another
surprise。 They worked for many hours； and soon found a number of the
missing； who were lying dead。 Five bodies were discovered close
together； as though they had been killed by a shell。 This was in a spot
where the 〃Forty Thieves〃 had been at work。
One unfortunate creature was found in the high grass with a smashed leg。
He had been lying； thirsty and in pain； for about thirty hours in the
same spot。 My men gave him water and food； and his friends came and took
him away。 The wounded man seemed very grateful； and he told my soldiers
that they were 〃better men than the Unyoros； who would certainly murder
a wounded enemy instead of giving him food and water。〃
I had told Umbogo to make inquiries as to the safety of little
Cherri…Merri。 The boy was unharmed； as he had been taken away before the
fight。
It was now proved that the cows had also been removed during the night
previous to the attack； as I had suspected。
During the day； vast number of people were collected at a large village；
situated on a knoll； about 700 yards from our station in a direct line。
This place； we were informed； was now occupied by Kabba Rega。 The knoll
was about eighty feet lower than our high position； therefore； as we had
roughly cut down the grass； we looked directly upon the village。
We lost no time in erecting the large astronomical telescope upon its
stand。 This was placed upon the flat gravel approach in front of the
government divan； and through the powerful glass we could distinguish
each feature； and the expression of every individual countenance of the
crowd within the village。
During the day； messengers arrived from Kabba Rega with an official
explanation of the misunderstanding。 They declared that it was entirely
the fault of Matonse； who would be soon captured； that Kabba Rega
desired them to express his deep regret； 〃Was he not my son？ Did he not
depend upon the protection of his father？〃 He only begged for peace。 The
natives had been killed in great numbers； therefore 〃if we had lost a
few soldiers； the Unyoro had lost manyso the affair was settled。〃
I told them that nothing could ever compensate for the loss of Monsoor；
who had been so treacherously killed； at the same time； if Kabba Rega
could prove that the guilt really lay with Matonse； the simple plan
would be to deliver him up to me。
I recalled to their recollection how I had passed ten months in Unyoro
in the reign of Kamrasi； at which time I had only an escort of thirteen
men； and no misunderstanding had ever occurred。 I explained that the
fault was not on my side。 An attempt had been made to poison us
collectively； we had then been surprised by a thoroughly organized
attack； at a time when the troops were supposed to have been disabled by
the poison。
Kabba Rega must clear his character。 If he were innocent； I should be
only too happy。
The matongale； or sheik； who was the principal messenger； assured me
that Kabba Rega was quite in despair； and that he had given orders for
provisions and a large quantity of ivory to be collected； which would be
sent to us on the day following； in charge of Rahonka and Kittakara。
The want of provisions was sorely felt； fortunately； as our cows had
been dying daily； the troops had some sweet potatoes that had been
purchased in exchange for flesh。 These would last for a few days。
A short time before the attack； I had promised to send Kabba Rega a
porcelain cache…pot。 I therefore took the opportunity of reminding the
sheik of my promise； and I begged him to deliver the piece of china to
Kabba Rega as a proof of my peaceful intentions； should he really be
innocent of the treachery。
The handsome present was wrapped up in red Turkey cloth； and the
messengers departed。
I watched them through the telescope； and； upon their arrival at the
village below us； I distinctly witnessed； not only their reception by
the expectant crowd； but the cache…pot was unpacked and held at arm's
length above the head； to be exhibited to the admiring people。
This looked well。 My officers began to believe in peace； and； although
I still had strong suspicions； I hoped that the signal defeat which
Kabba Rega's army had sustained had so far cowed them as to induce a
termination of hostilities； that would enable me to communicate with
Major Abdullah。
The luggage from the government divan had all been carried to the fort。
This was now returned to our original quarters； my wife and her black
maids were working hard at rearranging the rooms。
The night passed quietly。
On 10th of June a matongale and several natives arrived from Kabba Rega；
with a most polite message and friendly assurances； accompanied by a
present of two beautiful white cows。
The messengers corroborated the statement of the preceding day； that
large quantities of provisions were being prepared for us； together with
twenty elephants' tusks； which were to be delivered as a peace…offering
by Rahonka and Kittakara in person。
Affairs looked brighter。 It was my best policy to secure peace if
possible。
I determined to send Kabba Rega； in return for his present of cows； the
large Geneva musical box； with drums and bells； which he had always
desired。
No one knew how to wind it up； and it was necessary