The central districts occupied by the slave-traders having been
denuded of cattle, it has become necessary to make journeys to distant
countries."
The slave-hunters of Abou Saood had recently suffered a terrible defeat,
at the hands of the warlike tribe of Umiro, which was a just reward for
the horrible treachery of their party.
A man named Ali Hussein was a well-known employee of Abou Saood. This
ruffian was an Arab. He was a tall, wiry fellow, with a determined but
brutal cast of countenance, who was celebrated as a scoundrel among
scoundrels. Even his fellows dreaded his brutality. There was no crime
that he had not committed; and as his only virtue was extreme daring,
his reputation was terrible among the native population.
This fellow had waited upon my orders daily since my arrival at Fatiko.
At the death of the former vakeel of Fatiko, Ali Hussein had succeeded
to the command of the station.
He had arranged to make a descent upon the Umiro tribe, about six days'
march to the south-east.
He accordingly sent natives as spies, with specious messages to the
Umiro, announcing his intention of visiting them to purchase ivory.
With a party increased by volunteers from other stations to a force of
about 300 men, he arrived at Umiro.
