The time had now arrived when I could make the move that I felt sure
would reduce the country to order.
The slave-hunters were in this position. I had sent Ali Germinar with
sixty-five men to Unyoro, 200 had gone off with Abou Saood, 100
reprobates clung to Salim-Wat-Howah, and the remainder were true to
Wat-el-Mek.
I therefore sent a message to Fabbo, which Wat-el-Mek would make public
in the zareeba: "that, having received daily complaints from the natives
of outrages committed by Salim-Wat-Howah and his company, it was my
intention in forty eight hours to visit Fabbo with the troops, together
with the native witnesses to the outrages complained of."
I ordered "all those men who had enlisted in the government service,
together with all others who were true to the Khedive, to retire from
the Fabbo station to Faloro: thus Fabbo alone would represent the
malcontents."
I felt sure that the dissension which had existed among the various
parties would now break out anew, and that Salim-Wat-Howah, fearing a
personal visit from me, would follow the example of his master, Abou
Saood, and fly from the country.
The hint that I had given respecting the retirement of the loyal people
to Faloro, so that Fabbo would represent the disloyal, would be
sufficient warning that physical force was intended, should other means
fail.
The day upon which Wat-el-Mek published the proclamation was one of
general consternation in Fabbo.
Wat-el-Mek left the station with his Soudanis.
Salim-Wat-Howah and his men suddenly sprang upon the vakeel, Suleiman,
and having secured him, while others broke open the powder-magazine,
they possessed themselves of three cases (1,500 rounds) of
ball-cartridge, together with the flags of the station. With this prize
they marched out of the zareeba with their slaves, who carried their
luggage, and took the road towards Latooka, about nine days' march
distant.
Without firing a shot, I had thus won the game. All the bad people had
found the country too hot for them. The remaining men received
certificates, and raised the corps of irregulars to 312 officers and
men; all of whom were nominally under Wat-el-Mek, although Ali Genninar
held a separate command in Unyoro. I now strengthened his party by a
reinforcement.
From this date, the victory was gained, and I could only thank God for
the great success that had attended all my efforts. The slave-hunting
was now at an end throughout an immense district, as the slave-hunters
had ceased to exist south of Gondokoro. Excepting Unyoro, the days of
bloodshed were past.
