Don't drink it all." The man was
evidently not guilty, although he had been employed to bring the
poisoned stuff.
Umbogo had only to leave the divan and turn the corner, before he fell
to the ground, with the same symptoms that had been exhibited among the
men. He had drunk more than the others. His eyes were blood-stained, and
nearly started from his head, as he strove wildly upon the ground and
wrestled with those who endeavoured to assist him, in a state of total
unconsciousness.
I was by his side immediately, and administered the same remedies.
I now ordered all the sick men to be either carried or led within the
fort, from which they could not escape. Those who were slightly better,
now endeavoured to wander about in delirium, and they would have been
lost in the high grass unless I had thus secured them.
All that was possible had been done; the sick, were secured, and the
night guards for relief were at their posts with double sentries awake
and on duty; thus no man would sleep within the station.
I sent Monsoor to call the chief, Matonse, whose house was within 200
yards of the government divan.
Monsoor shortly returned without Matonse. He had brought an interpreter
from this chief, in lieu of Umbogo, who was incapacitated; and Matonse
had sent a message "that he could not come to me in the dark, but he
would call on the following day."
In the mean time an ominous stillness reigned throughout the usually
boisterous population of Masindi. Not a sound was to be heard, although
the nightly custom of the people was singing, howling, and blowing
horns.
My arms and ammunition were always in readiness, but I filled up my
pouches to the maximum of fifty cartridges, and at midnight I went to
bed.
I woke frequently to listen, as I was anxious, and therefore slept
lightly. The faithful Monsoor was under arms, and was pacing throughout
the whole night before my door; he never slept.
At about 2 A.M. there was a sound throughout the town of fowls cackling,
as though they were being disturbed and caught while at roost.
At about 3 A.M. the lowing of cattle was heard, as though Kabba Rega's
cows were being driven off.
A little after 5 A.M. I got up, and went out at daybreak to visit the
sick within the fort. I found Monsoor waiting by my door.
The emetics had counteracted the poison, and my patients, although
weakly, were quite out of danger.
Having examined them, I ordered the men to their quarters, and they all
left the fort, with the exception of the night guard.
The two interpreters, Umbogo and Aboo Kooka, were secured by a thin cord
fastened round their necks.
Having given all the necessary instructions, I ordered Monsoor to go to
the chief Matonse, with a message that I wished to see him, as the men
had been ill after drinking the cider, and although now recovered, it
would be satisfactory if he would examine the remaining jars.
Monsoor took his rifle, and accompanied by a corporal, Ferritch Baggara,
one of the best soldiers of the "Forty Thieves," started on his mission.
Matonse's house, as already described, was within 200 yards of the
government divan.
It was now about 5.45 A.M. I noticed that Kabba Rega's divan, within
fifty yards of the government house, seemed full of people, some of whom
were washing their faces, as though they had just risen from sleep.
My wife had now joined me, and, according to my usual habit, I strolled
up and down the broad gravelled approach and smoked a short pipe. We
were conversing together about the present state of affairs, and were
anxiously expecting the return of Monsoor with Matonse, who would
perhaps throw some light on the matter.
I was followed closely by a bugler and a choush (sergeant). The main
entrance of the approach from the town was bordered upon either side by
a dense plantation of castor-oil trees, which continued in a thick
fringe along the edge of the garden, so as to screen the huts from our
view, although they were within twenty paces of the entrance of the
drive.
The castor-oil bushes were within five yards of the entrance, and
gradually increased the distance, as they turned obliquely towards the
private divan of Kabba Rega.
We little suspected that sharpshooters were already concealed within
this dense covert.
My wife and I had reached the entrance of the approach. Nothing seemed
to denote hostility on the part of the natives, no person being visible,
except those guards who occupied the king's divan.
Suddenly we were startled by the savage yells of some thousand voices,
which burst unexpectedly upon us!
This horrible sound came from the direction of Matonse's house, and was
within 120 yards from the spot on which we stood; but the town was not
visible, owing to the thick covert of oil bushes.
The savage yells were almost immediately followed by two rifle shots in
the same direction.
"Sound the taboor!" Fortunately I gave this order to the bugler by my
side without one moment's delay.
I had just time to tell my wife to run into the divan and get my rifle
and belt, when the sharpshooters opened fire at me from the bushes,
within a few yards.
I had white cotton clothes, thus I was a very clear object. As I walked
towards the divan to meet my rifle, the serjeant who followed close
behind me fell shot through the heart. Poor fellow, the shot was aimed
at me!
The troops had fallen into position with extraordinary rapidity, and
several ascended the roof of the fort, so as to see clearly over the
high grass. A soldier immediately fell, to die in a few minutes, shot
through the shoulder-blade. Another man of the "Forty Thieves" was shot
through the leg above the knee.
