Fortunately the Baris were ignorant, and the lanyard
was lying by the gun. Another tube failed, but after some delay, the gun
at length spoke, but unfortunately not with canister.
It was already too hot for the Baris, who were between two fires, and a
few shots from the cannon settled the affair and determined the retreat.
I could not have believed in such negligence and folly had I not had a
long experience of Egyptian troops, whether brown or black. These people
can generally be surprised, unless their commanding officer is vigilant
and most severe. Little or no dependence can be placed on the
non-commissioned officers; these are ignorant, thoughtless people, who
having learnt from their Mohammedan teachers to trust themselves to God,
would seldom remain awake unless kept to their duty by their superior
officers.
On the morning following this attack, the big drums of the natives were
sounding in all directions upon both sides of the river. Thousands of
Baris had congregated upon the various heights, and it appeared that a
general attack would be renewed upon the camp.
It was not considered safe to drive the cattle out to pasturage.
There can be no doubt that with a force of 145 men, Major Abdullah
should have anchored his vessels a few yards from the shore, and have
then made a vigorous attack upon the Baris. He was provided with Hale's
rockets in addition to the field-piece; and he should have given the
enemy a severe example.
Instead of assuming the offensive, he remained inactive, which so
encouraged the enemy that they gathered from every quarter, and
naturally concluded that the troops had received a panic from the night
attack.
At this critical time, the scarlet uniforms of my fifty men appeared in
the rear of the natives, together with 400 of the Lobore. Some of my men
belonged to the "Forty Thieves;" and the Baris upon seeing the arrival
of so powerful a reinforcement, immediately dispersed, with much blowing
of horns and whistles in defiance of Major Abdullah.
It was declared that the Baris had suffered severely during the night
attack; but I had ceased to pay much attention to the official reports
of the enemy's losses, which were always exaggerated.
Between the river and Lobore, the troops had marched without opposition,
and they had followed my instructions by leaving cows for payment at
every night's halting-place.
I now divided the flour into loads of sixty pounds each, packed in
baskets covered with raw hide.
I thus carried 3,600 lbs. by sixty porters. My troops were now relieved
from much weight, as I engaged 500 natives for the journey to the
interior; at the same time I ordered every soldier to carry six pounds
of flour in addition to his knapsack and accoutrements.
