The hunters follow on the
blood track until they find the dying animal.
"March 25. - Suleiman, the vakeel, summoned his men to volunteer for the
government service as irregular troops.
"I issued a written proclamation, that should volunteers enlist, the
term of service would be annual, subject to three months' notice, should
any officer or private wish to retire at the expiration of twelve
months.
"The rank of the vakeel would be equivalent to that of major in the
regular army.
"The pay would be equal to that of regular troops.
"If I can form a regiment of 600 irregulars I shall be independent of
troops from Khartoum.
"March 26. - Quonga and many other sheiks arrived, and were quite
delighted with the wheel of life.
"The natives are selling sweet potatoes and tobacco for beads, but flour
is brought in very small quantities.
"March 27. - Provisions are coming in so slowly that we shall be short
of food. Upon the arrival of Quonga and his sheiks, I make a hot
complaint; he coldly told me that it would be better if the soldiers
were to forage for themselves.
"I explained to him the rigid discipline that I enforced, and that,
should I once permit thieving, the troops' character would be entirely
ruined, and they would pillage throughout the route.
"He replied that this neighbourhood was in a state of anarchy; that many
of the inhabitants were hostile to Kabba Rega, and they would not obey
his orders.
"I told him that my troops were lambs if well fed, but they were like
lions if hungry, and to prove their number I would summon them before
him.
"The bugle sounded the 'taboor,' and upwards of 100 men immediately fell
in with bayonets fixed, to the no small dismay of Quonga and his sheiks,
who began to look very uneasy at the scarlet uniforms. By a coup de
theatre, I marched the men, with bugles and drums playing, round the
numerous huts, so that they reappeared twice before the tent, and thus
doubled their real number.
"At the halt and dismissal, they shouted their usual wild cry in
Turkish, in honour of their commander.
"'Do you understand what they say?' I asked Quonga. To his negative
reply, I answered, 'They say they will eat from the country if
provisions are not supplied to-morrow!'
"Quonga and his sheiks started off immediately to give the necessary
orders.
"Upon his return I told him 'to advise Kabba Rega to behave in a
different manner to the conduct of his father, the late Kamrasi.
