I had ordered my men to reserve their fire, and not to expend any
ammunition until the command should be given. The natives on our right
flank now passed forward, which would bring them in our rear. At the
same time, those in our front appeared in very loose and open order,
evidently looking for us in all directions.
I observed a man painted red, like a stick of sealing-wax, with large
ivory bracelets upon his arms. This fellow was in advance, and he
ascended a small ant-hill to obtain a better view.
A puff of smoke and the sharp crack of a rifle startled the enemy, as
the red sheik rolled over. The yells increased on all sides, the
whistles of the antelopes' horns now sounded a shrill alarm, during
which the leading Baris shot off their arrows, but they fell short.
Another quick shot cracked upon the body of a native, who was caught in
the arms of his comrades and dragged away as they precipitately
retreated in all directions from the dangerous locality.
My men now begged me to allow them to charge and to capture the man, who
was endeavouring to escape. I gave them leave, and a body of fifteen
dashed out in pursuit, with loud yells, after the retreating natives.
For about a minute the natives faced them and shot their arrows, but the
gallant fifteen coolly knelt upon the clear ground, and taking steady
rests upon their knees, opened a fire that drove the enemy before them.
The fifteen immediately charged forward and bayoneted a fugitive, and
returned with his bow and arrows in triumph.
The enemy had quickly the worst of it. They were now standing in all
directions at distances varying from 400 to 1,000 paces. Many of them
were actually in our rear, but I noticed that these fellows were already
opening to the right and left, as though they faltered in their
determination to resist our retreat to the vessels.
The Baris would not stand in the open ground before the sniders.
The ground was dry and dusty, thus each bullet marked its bit as the
puff of dust rose from the earth, like a jet of smoke.
Some of the enemy were knocked over at very long ranges; others were so
scared by the close practice, as the bullets either struck the ground at
their feet, or pinged close to their ears, that they cleared off as
quickly as possible. Their noisy drums had ceased, and suddenly I
perceived a general skedaddle, as those upon our right flank started off
in full speed, shouting and yelling to alarm the rest. I now
distinguished a body of troops hurrying at the double down the hill-side
in the distance.
