The central districts occupied by the slave-traders having been
denuded of cattle, it has become necessary to make journeys to distant
countries."
The slave-hunters of Abou Saood had recently suffered a terrible defeat,
at the hands of the warlike tribe of Umiro, which was a just reward for
the horrible treachery of their party.
A man named Ali Hussein was a well-known employee of Abou Saood. This
ruffian was an Arab. He was a tall, wiry fellow, with a determined but
brutal cast of countenance, who was celebrated as a scoundrel among
scoundrels. Even his fellows dreaded his brutality. There was no crime
that he had not committed; and as his only virtue was extreme daring,
his reputation was terrible among the native population.
This fellow had waited upon my orders daily since my arrival at Fatiko.
At the death of the former vakeel of Fatiko, Ali Hussein had succeeded
to the command of the station.
He had arranged to make a descent upon the Umiro tribe, about six days'
march to the south-east.
He accordingly sent natives as spies, with specious messages to the
Umiro, announcing his intention of visiting them to purchase ivory.
With a party increased by volunteers from other stations to a force of
about 300 men, he arrived at Umiro.
The simple natives received him gladly, and showed extreme hospitality.
The country was thickly populated, and abounded with vast herds of the
finest cattle.
After a week's sojourn among the Umiro, during which he had received
large presents of elephants' tusks, and seventy head of oxen from the
confiding natives, the treacherous ruffian gave an order to his brigands
at sunset. They were to be under arms an hour before daybreak on the
following morning, to set fire to the adjacent villages of their
generous hosts, and to capture their large herds of cattle, together
with their women and children.
At the time appointed, while every Umiro slept unconscious of
approaching danger, several villages were surrounded, and volleys of
musketry were poured upon the sleeping inmates. The straw huts were
ignited, and the flames rapidly spread, while a massacre commenced
similar to the butcheries to which the slave-hunters were so well
accustomed.
The Umiro, thus taken by surprise, and appalled by so dastardly a
treachery, were easily defeated. Their children and wives were captured,
together with large herds of cattle, which are celebrated for their
size. All these were driven in triumph to Fatiko.
The success of this infernal scheme, raised the reputation of Ali
Hussein to the highest pitch. The reports of the vast pastoral wealth of
the Umiro excited the cupidity of the various companies in the stations
of Abou Saood.
It was determined to make a grand attack upon a people, who, in spite of
their warlike character, had exhibited a total want of power to resist.
