It was this same man, Suleiman, who had
flogged a poor boy nearly to death during my former journey, and the
life of the child had with difficulty been saved by the kind attention
of my wife. When he now cried for mercy, I recalled to his recollection
the unfortunate boy whose posterior he had literally CUT OFF with a whip
of hippopotamus' hide. . . .
"Eddrees was sentenced to receive 100 lashes, but when thirty strokes
had been administered, the native chiefs interceded in his behalf,
saying that the great blame rested upon Suleiman, and that Eddrees was
not a bad man, but that he was obliged to obey the orders of his
superior.
"They now continued, 'that Suleiman had ruined the country, that he had
kidnapped all the women and children, and that the natives had fled from
their homes as the result.'
"I was much struck with the straightforward, at the same time moderate
behaviour of the native chiefs. I accordingly spared Eddrees, who at
once turned evidence against Suleiman, together with two of his own
soldiers.
"They signed a declaration as witnesses of the murder of the native by
Suleiman. This paper was formally witnessed and signed by Lieutenant
Baker, Colonel Abd-el-Kader, and Captain Mohammed Deii.
"The punishment having been awarded and the prisoners withdrawn, but
secured in shebas by the guard, I addressed the native chiefs, assuring
them of my protection; and that in future the country should be governed
with perfect justice; that property and the rights of women and children
would be respected, and that any transgressor of the law would be
punished. I explained that the object of the expedition was to bring
prosperity; but, on the other hand, I should expect fidelity from Kabba
Rega and his people. I told them that I should lead the prisoners in
shebas to Kabba Rega, he must then summon a general assembly of his
chiefs to hear and witness the truth.
"I now ordered the bugler to sound the 'destoor' (retreat), and the
troops marched back to their quarters.
"The trial was over; the blue lights had burnt out, and we were now in
comparative darkness beneath the banana foliage, with a feeble lamp
glimmering on the table.
"The native chiefs declared their perfect confidence in the government,
and that we should start on the following morning direct for Masindi."
CHAPTER XVIII.
MARCH TO MASINDI.
"April l5. - The latitude of Kisoona was 2 degrees 2 minutes 36 seconds
N. We started at 11 A.M. till 1 P.M., reaching Kasiga - eight miles -
through interminable forest full of fine ripe yellow plums and unripe
custard apples.
