Although the irregulars thoroughly knew the country, they now found
themselves in the immense wilderness that separates Unyoro from the
Shooli and Madi tribes.
In this sea of high grass they wandered for some days, lost; until they
at length discovered the regular path, and, after great suffering,
reached Fatiko.
Eddrees, who had been appointed vakeel, became a traitor, and upon
meeting Abou Saood and his people, who had come out to receive the party
upon their arrival, he cried out, "Look sharp for your neck, Abou Saood:
the Pacha has sent an order to arrest you."
A short time after this, Eddrees died of dysentery. Suleiman behaved in
an honourable manner. Instead of going into Abou Saood's camp, he
immediately presented himself before Major Abdullah, and confessed his
sins, acknowledging that he had been justly punished. He surrendered
himself into the hands of the commandant, according to the oath he had
taken on the road.
Although Major Abdullah had now received the post, together with my
orders, he thought it advisable, considering the danger of a collision
with Abou Saood's people, to allow Suleiman his liberty on parole, and
he had returned to his position of vakeel at Fabbo. Ali Genninar had at
once offered to continue his duties as a government soldier.
A few days after the arrival of the post, the news was brought of the
battle of Masindi, and that our escape from Unyoro was impossible.
The almost open hostility of Abou Saood and his numerous forces had
paralyzed Major Abdullah, who, fearing the responsibility of an
outbreak, kept quiet, and trusted in Providence, until I had fortunately
appeared.
There can be no doubt that the plan laid by Kabba Rega for securing the
arms and effects of Major Abdullah and his detachment broke down through
a premature attack on the part of the natives, who had neither the
courage nor the patience to go to Fatiko on the chance of success in
such a distant enterprise.
Suleiman had written me a letter imploring forgiveness. Wat-el-Mek
arrived at Fatiko after the seizure of the ammunition by
Salim-Wat-Howah, and he begged pardon for Suleiman, assuring me that he
was truly penitent; that the devil had misled him, and Abou Saood was
that devil. If I would grant him a free pardon, no man would be more
faithful; and the irregular force now established would be delighted at
such an act of clemency.
Although Suleiman was a great ruffian, he was like everybody else in
that respect. If I had refused the enlistment of all immoral characters
in the middle of Africa, I should have had what is now known in England
as a "skeleton regiment." I had already punished him severely. In every
case of defiance of the government, the people had seen that so small an
organized force as 200 regulars, amongst innumerable enemies, and
without any communication with head-quarters, had been able to beat down
and crush every enemy, whether native or rebel.
