(All readers will share my deep
regret, that since my departure from Central Africa this gallant body of
men, together with the French officer in command, Monsieur Linant de
Bellefonds, fell victims to a surprise by the Baris in the district of
Moogi. Colonel Gordon, who was engaged in towing a steamer through the
rapids, had sent M. Linant de Bellefonds with forty sniders to make a
reconnaissance in the immediate neighbourhood, as the Moogi natives had
become hostile. The force was supplied with thirty rounds of
ball-cartridge in their pouches together with two boxes (1000 rounds) of
spare ammunition. Only four soldiers escaped to tell the tale of
destruction.)
My task was now full of pleasure and gratification. I had established
perfect confidence among the natives throughout the large country of
Shooli. The Lira tribe had declared their allegiance, and we had friends
upon all sides.
I had as usual planted gardens at Fatiko, which were flourishing. The
natives no longer concealed their stores of corn; but dancing and
rejoicing had taken the place of watchfulness and insecurity.
The children and women flocked to our camp; and marketing upon a large
scale was conducted without a squabble. The two good men, Shooli and
Gimoro, who were daily visitors, assured me that there was only one
feeling throughout the country, of gratitude and good-will. This was a
great reward to me for the many difficulties we had undergone; but now
that the calm days of peace had arrived, I looked back with keen regret
upon the good men that I had lost, especially to the memory of poor
Monsoor. There was no person who would have enjoyed my success so much
as that worthy man.
It is now time to speak of Suleiman and the party who had left Masindi
on 23rd May with the post for Fatiko, together with the 300 Unyoro
carriers who were to have transported Abdullah's detachment to Foweera.
The letter (concealed in a package) that I had sent to Eddrees, with
orders that "the party might return at once to Fatiko should they
suspect foul play," had reached them before they had crossed the
Victoria Nile.
Mohammed, the Cairo dragoman, had strongly suspected treachery, owing to
the unaccountable tardiness of the natives in pushing straight for
Fatiko. Every day messengers had arrived from Masindi, and others had
been returned in reply by the sheik Pittia, who had charge of the 300
Unyoro carriers.
When my letter had been received, Mohammed advised Eddrees to return at
once to Masindi; but the latter, finding himself about fifty miles on
the journey, concluded that it would be better to continue the march.
They had delayed so many days on the road, that the stock of flour
intended for the whole journey would have failed, had they not spared
their supply, and fed upon potatoes whenever they halted near cultivated
ground.
