It was not considered safe to drive the cattle out to pasturage.
There can be no doubt that with a force of 145 men, Major Abdullah
should have anchored his vessels a few yards from the shore, and have
then made a vigorous attack upon the Baris. He was provided with Hale's
rockets in addition to the field-piece; and he should have given the
enemy a severe example.
Instead of assuming the offensive, he remained inactive, which so
encouraged the enemy that they gathered from every quarter, and
naturally concluded that the troops had received a panic from the night
attack.
At this critical time, the scarlet uniforms of my fifty men appeared in
the rear of the natives, together with 400 of the Lobore. Some of my men
belonged to the "Forty Thieves;" and the Baris upon seeing the arrival
of so powerful a reinforcement, immediately dispersed, with much blowing
of horns and whistles in defiance of Major Abdullah.
It was declared that the Baris had suffered severely during the night
attack; but I had ceased to pay much attention to the official reports
of the enemy's losses, which were always exaggerated.
Between the river and Lobore, the troops had marched without opposition,
and they had followed my instructions by leaving cows for payment at
every night's halting-place.
