My Englishmen had been busily engaged in erecting the carts, greasing
the wheels, and attaching the ropes necessary for hauling. They were all
loaded, and were arranged to be drawn by fifteen men each.
On the evening of the 5th February, while we were at dinner, I was
astonished by the unexpected mustering of my whole force, excepting the
"Forty Thieves." The men were without arms or officers, but they marched
to the margin of the river and formed a line two deep alongside the
diahbeeah, which lay close against the bank.
I knew at once what all this meant, but I pretended to take no notice,
and I continued eating my dinner.
I was quickly interrupted by loud cries from the men. "We can't draw the
carts! that's not the work for soldiers; we'll fight, or do anything
else you may desire, but we are not camels to drag the waggons."
The "Forty Thieves" immediately seized their arms, and marching quickly
to the spot, they formed in line upon the bank, between the diahbeeah
and the men who thus mutinously had appeared without their officers.
I at once ordered the bugle call for all officers, and at the same time
I sent for the Englishmen to come to the diahbeeah.
When all had arrived, and the shouts still continued, I rose from the
table and addressed the troops in Arabic, from the poop-deck of the
diahbeeah.
I recalled to their recollection how I had always led them successfully
through every difficulty, and I assured them that the distance to Lobore
was trifling, and that we should find good and willing natives to convey
the baggage, if we could only once reach the desired tribe.
Cries of "there are no good negroes-they are all bad," interrupted my
discourse. I nevertheless continued; but having a thorough knowledge of
the African character, and knowing that if a negro gets an idea into his
head, that idea can only be eradicated by cutting the head off, I was
not fool enough to persist in swimming against a torrent. The "Forty
Thieves" now joined the tumult by declaring that "THEY would draw the
carts, or do anything that I should command."
I took immediate advantage of the occasion, and exclaimed, "You SHALL do
all that I command. I have changed my plans, and I order you to take the
carts to pieces at sunrise to-morrow morning. All those who are afraid
to follow me shall return with the vessels and carts to Gondokoro. I
never turn back; and my lady and I will go on alone with Mr. Baker. I
only require orderly soldiers, who know their duty; if you have
forgotten your duty, you shall return at once to Gondokoro."
This declaration was followed by loud shouts - "We won't let you go
alone; the natives are treacherous; we will follow wherever you lead.
Are we not soldiers of the Sultan?
