The Baris Ceased Blowing Their Horns, And Collected
In Dense Bodies At A Great Distance From The Troops, Who Had Halted And
Now Held The Position.
Only occasional shots were now fired, and the sun having set, darkness
gradually dissolved the view.
I fully expected that the Baris would renew the attack during the night,
but I knew that Abdullah was safe in his strong position within a
village, surrounded by the high and dense hedge of euphorbia; the thick,
fleshy branches of this tree are the best protection against arrows. I
ordered the boat with the gun to remain in readiness, so as to start at
a moment's notice should we hear firing renewed during the night. I
should then be able to land the gun, and take them unexpectedly on the
flank with case shot.
Morning broke without any night alarm. I had filled the vessels with the
last of the corn upon the island, therefore I determined to cross over
with my force, and to meet the detachment under Major Abdullah. This was
not easy to accomplish, as there were some awkward sand-banks in the
middle of the river. It was therefore necessary to pass up stream
between two islands, and then, by rounding the head of a point, to
descend through a channel about a hundred yards wide between the western
island and the mainland. This occupied about an hour, and we dropped
down the channel and took up an excellent position against a high shore
that formed a convenient landing-place.
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