Pittia explained that the natives had all left the neighbourhood
together with their sheik, therefore it would be well not to allow the
soldiers to stray far from camp.
This was the gross ingratitude exhibited by Bedden and his people. Not
only had I scrupulously respected all their property, but I had even
placed sentries over their tobacco gardens to prevent the possibility of
theft.
The absence of the women and children had been a certain sign of
ill-will.
It was necessary to consider what should be done. We were perfectly
helpless.
I had about 2,500 head of cattle and 1,800 sheep. These animals were
driven every evening to the margin of the river, and were only protected
at night by a line of soldiers who slept around them.
The conduct of the natives filled me with suspicions. The sight of so
large a herd without protection might have excited their cupidity. They
had expected my arrival with this grand supply of cattle, and instead of
finding their villages occupied, I had observed that their own herds had
been driven off for concealment; not a woman or child was to be seen in
the country; the natives had refused to carry; and, lastly, their sheik
and his people had absolutely absconded.
In the mean time my cattle were unprotected at night, thus, should the
natives make a sudden attack in the darkness, there would be a regular
stampede, as the large herd would be seized with a panic at the red
flashes of the muskets during the attack, and they would scatter all
over the country, and never be seen again.
The natives had probably considered that, instead of carrying our loads,
and thereby earning a cow per man, it might save them much trouble
should they possess themselves of our cattle without the necessity of
carrying the baggage.
From my knowledge of the brutal character of all Baris, I arrived at the
above conclusion.
I at once gave orders to secure the cattle. At a distance of about half
a mile, there were three small villages on the high sloping ground,
situated about eighty yards apart, and forming a triangle. I instructed
my men to make an inclosure, by connecting each village with a strong
hedge of thorns.
The country was generally bare of trees, but fortunately there was a
grove of heglik not far distant; and the troops at once began to fell
these trees, and to form fences by laying the prickly branches in the
position I had selected.
The "Forty Thieves" were all provided with small and sharp Canada axes,
which they carried under the strap of their knapsacks; thus forty-eight
axes were at work, in addition to the heavier instruments belonging to
the expedition.
All the officers and men shared my suspicions, and they worked with
great alacrity.
It was just dark by the time that the three fences were completed, and
the herd of cattle were driven and secured within the inclosure.
I arranged a guard of sixty men: twenty upon each side of the triangle.
They were to remain outside the fence, and to keep a vigilant look-out.
This work being over, I returned at night to the diahbeeah together with
Lieutenant Baker. We found dinner ready on the poop-deck, where my wife
had been rather anxiously expecting us. I sent for Colonel Abd-el-Kader,
and gave him the necessary orders for the night.
My diahbeeah was a charming vessel, that had originally been sent from
Cairo to Khartoum, when the former Viceroy of Egypt, Said Pacha, visited
the Soudan.
The poop-deck was lofty and very spacious. This comfortable boat had
been my home for two years, and she was kept in admirable order.
There were no mosquitoes during this season in Bedden's country,
although they were very numerous at all seasons at Gondokoro, therefore,
being relieved from these pests, the enjoyment of the evening was
delightful.
The night was calm, as usual in these latitudes. Dinner was concluded. I
was enjoying my evening chibouque with the best Ghebbelli tobacco, that
soothes many anxieties. The troops were for the most part asleep, and
all was quiet. My wife was sitting on the sofa or divan, and Lieutenant
Baker had been recalling some reminiscence of the navy, when several
musket shots in the direction of the cattle kraal suddenly startled
every soldier from his sleep.
The shots were almost immediately succeeded by heavy firing from the
whole force stationed at the cattle zareeba. The bugles sounded the
alarm, and every man was quickly under arms.
Having arranged the men in position to defend the vessels in case of a
general attack, I took twenty men of the "Forty Thieves," together with
a supply of rockets. I was accompanied by Lieutenant Baker and most of
the Englishmen, and we pushed rapidly forward towards the cattle
zareeba, where the flashes of muskets were distinctly visible.
As we approached the position, I ordered my bugler to sound "cease
firing," as I expected to receive a few bullets intended for the enemy.
We were quickly challenged upon arrival at the zareeba. We found the
cattle all safe; only a few sheep had been killed by the heavy attempt
at a stampede when the cows took fright at the musketry.
I was informed that the natives in considerable force had made a sudden
rush upon the zareeba, and had thrown showers of stones in order to
create a panic among the cattle, which they expected would break through
the fence and scatter over the country.
It was fortunate that I had taken the precaution of securing them.
I was determined to clear the neighbourhood before the attack should be
renewed. The night was dark. I was provided with matches and port-fires,
and I quickly made an excursion and sent several rockets into the
nearest villages.
