It was the height of the rainy season, and the grass was about nine or
ten feet high, throughout a country of dense and tangled forest.
I had no interpreter of my own; Umbogo was Kabba Rega's slave, and
although I fancied that he was fond of us, I had no faith in any one of
these detestable people. This want of confidence was keenly felt at a
time when I required an interpreter in whom I could absolutely trust. I
was obliged to confide my plan to Umbogo, as I wished him to find some
man among the natives who would take a message to Rionga.
I knew that many people hated Kabba Rega. Umbogo had frequently assured
me that Mashudi, which was only two days distant from Masindi, to the
south-east, had always been Rionga's stronghold; and that the natives of
that district would rise in favour of their chief, should any reverse
befall Kabba Rega.
The news of the defeat of his army, and the complete destruction of his
capital, would run through the country like wild-fire. It was well known
that Rionga had spies, who were disguised as friends, even at the court
of Kabba Rega; these agents sent him information of all that occurred.
If Umbogo could communicate with one of these people, I might send off
to Rionga, and beg him to send 300 men to Fatiko, with a letter from
myself to Major Abdullah. Rionga's people would transport the effects
instead of Rabba Rega's carriers, who would be seized and held as
hostages. This would save Abdullah from the intended treachery, if it
were done at once; but there was not a moment to lose.
Already fifteen days had elapsed since my party with the post had
started, and by this time they should be near Fatiko, (at that time they
had already been treacherously attacked.) unless they had been delayed
upon the road, as was usual in Unyoro.
If I could depend upon Rionga, he would at once save Abdullah's party,
and he would send a large force to communicate with me at Masindi.
Had I provisions, I could have held my now fortified position against a
whole world of niggers; but with only a hundred men, I should be unable
to forage in this country of high grass, and at the same time defend the
station.
All depended upon the possibility of my communication with Rionga.
Umbogo declared that if I would only march to Mashudi, the natives would
rise in his favour and join me.
I told him that if this were true, he could surely find some person who
would run to Mashudi, and raise the malcontents, who would at once carry
my message to Rionga.
