The morning of 2nd August arrived, and we started at 6.20 A.M., and
marched fast over a beautiful country of dells, woods, and open
park-like lands, until we ascended the hill that rose towards the high
plateau at Fatiko.
As we passed the numerous villages we were joined by curious bands of
natives, who by degrees swelled our party to nearly a thousand persons.
There was no doubt that these people expected to witness a row, as they
knew that Abdullah had been threatened. It was therefore highly probable
that we might be attacked, as the slave-hunters would imagine that my
small force of forty men was the last remnant of my detachment.
No one at Fatiko had an idea of my existence: thus we should arrive as
though risen from the dead.
I halted the men on a large flat rock about a mile and a half south of
Fatiko. Here they changed their clothes, and dressed in their best
scarlet uniforms and white linen trousers.
We again marched forward, until, upon gaining the racecourse - like
plateau, we perceived the station in the distance.
The bugles now sounded the "assembly", to apprise Major Abdullah of our
approach. We then marched, while the natives, who delight in music,
struck up an accompaniment on their whistles. My wife was riding the
horse, as his back was nearly recovered.
With the telescope, I now perceived a great stir in Major Abdullah's
camp. The men were running to and fro; presently red clots appeared;
these rapidly increased, until a thin line of scarlet showed me that his
troops were drawn up outside the camp to receive us.
We arrived at 9.30 A.M. The first formalities having been gone through,
the troops embraced their friends; and I shook Major Abdullah warmly by
the hand, and asked him for immediate news. He merely replied: "Thank
God, sir, you are safe and arrived here; all will go well now that you
are alive again. I have kept a journal, and when you have rested, I will
hand you my report in writing."
My old dragoman, Mohammed, had burst out crying with joy at our arrival;
and he assured me that it was most fortunate that I had appeared, as
affairs had become worse than ever.
The natives that had accompanied us had ascended the large flat rock
which commanded the station (and which now forms the citadel), upon
which they had squatted down like a flock of cormorants, to observe all
that passed.
No one had come to salute me from Abou Saood's station, which was almost
a portion of that belonging to the government, as it was only separated
by a level turf ninety yards across.
The absence of the vakeel and his people was a studied insult, as it was
his duty to have at once appeared, with his men in line to receive us.
A hut having been swept out, I entered to change my dress, as I wished
to inspect the troops. I never wore a uniform in this country, except
upon state occasions; but a simple Norfolk shirt of thick white cotton,
and trousers of the same material. This, with an Egyptian silk coffeeah
arranged over my own old helmet hat was sufficient for Central Africa.
I ordered Major Abdullah to form the troops in line, as I wished to
inspect them.
At the sound of the bugle, they formed two deep on the beautiful turf
outside the slight fence which surrounded the camp. My horse, having
been rubbed down and quickly saddled, was led through the narrow wicket;
having mounted, I rode down the line and made a short inspection of the
troops, who appeared to be in excellent health.
I was just returning to the camp, and was about to dismount, as I could
not ride through the extremely narrow wicket, when I was begged by Major
Abdullah to wait a little longer, as the people of Wat-el-Mek were now
approaching with their numerous flags, to salute me according to the
usual custom.
Seven large silk crimson flags upon tall staffs headed with lance
points, and ornamented with balls of black ostrich feathers, marked the
intervals of the advancing line of ruffians.
They were about 270 strong, and, they formed a line in very open order,
exactly facing the government troops, at about forty yards' distance.
Two principal officers, Wat-el-Mek and the celebrated Ali Hussein, were
exceedingly busy running up and down the line, and forming their men, so
as to make the greatest display of force. Wat-el-Mek was dressed in
bright yellow with loose flowing trousers. Ali Hussein was in a
snow-white long robe with black trousers. The officers were
distinguished by clean clothes, but the men were clad in various
costumes, generally formed of tanned leather.
By way of complimenting me, they had brought out two LARGE CASES OF
AMMUNITION - each a load for a native!
These boxes were placed with a guard beneath a tree. My wife, who had
as usual come to watch the proceedings, now begged me to dismount, as
she had noticed the cases of cartridges, and she feared I might be
treacherously shot.
Of course I remained on horseback until the company had completed their
arrangements. They now stood in position with their officers in their
respective places, but no one moved forward.
I could not believe that they would have the audacity to attack the
government troops; but having waited for some time face to face, without
the slightest "salaam" having been made by the officers of Abou Saood, I
ordered Major Abdullah to retire to the camp with his troops, and to
disperse.
I then requested him to send for Wat-el-Mek, as I wished to speak with
him immediately.
With much patience, I waited within the station for about half an hour;
during which time, five different officers had gone to call Wat-el-Mek,
and each had returned with a message that "he would come presently."
At length, two of his people, who had in my absence insulted and
threatened to attack Major Abdullah, arrived in the camp with a message
"that both the vakeels WERE SICK." I ordered these men to be detained.
