From my experience
of natives, I did not share his opinion.
As Kittakara had apologized for the attack to Colonel Abd-el-Kader, and
a truce had been arranged, a great number of natives spread themselves
over the ruins of the town, to search for the iron molotes, which are
generally concealed in the earth, beneath the floor of the huts. The
natives were all prodding the smoking ground with the iron-tipped
butt-ends of their lances to discover the treasures.
Umbogo now went among them with his guard, and conversed upon the cause
of the late attack.
In the evening, Umbogo declared that he was not quite certain of the
truth; he evidently suspected the sincerity of Kabba Rega. It was quite
impossible to procure any messenger at present that could be trusted
with a message to Rionga.
The memorable 8th of June happened to be my birthday. It had been the
day of death to my lamented follower, Monsoor; but we had well avenged
him.
Umbogo reported that the natives had given him the names of nine
matongales (chiefs) killed in the action, together with a large number
of common people. A great many were still missing: these were probably
lying in the high grass which had been raked by the hot fire of the
sniders. Vultures were collected in immense numbers over many spots in
this dense covert, which denoted the places where the "missing" had
fallen.
I ordered the troops to abandon their undefended camp, and to sleep
within the fort that night.
The morning of the 9th of June arrived - the night had passed in perfect
quiet.
My troops set to work with their sharp sword-bayonets, swords, knives,
&c., to cut down all the high grass in the neighbourhood, so as to throw
open the view, and prevent the enemy from attacking us by another
surprise. They worked for many hours, and soon found a number of the
missing, who were lying dead. Five bodies were discovered close
together, as though they had been killed by a shell. This was in a spot
where the "Forty Thieves" had been at work.
One unfortunate creature was found in the high grass with a smashed leg.
He had been lying, thirsty and in pain, for about thirty hours in the
same spot. My men gave him water and food, and his friends came and took
him away. The wounded man seemed very grateful, and he told my soldiers
that they were "better men than the Unyoros, who would certainly murder
a wounded enemy instead of giving him food and water."
I had told Umbogo to make inquiries as to the safety of little
Cherri-Merri. The boy was unharmed, as he had been taken away before the
fight.
