I could never discover the actual contents of the letter in reply, but I
heard that it cautioned Suleiman not to part with the slaves, and to
join Abou Saood with his ivory and all his people at the station of
Fabbo, a day's march west of Fatiko.
Suleiman was in an awkward position. He had always held a high place in
the eyes of Kabba Rega and his chiefs, and his alliance had been courted
and obtained for a combined attach upon the old enemy, Rionga. The army
of Kabba Rega had been waiting at the rendezvous in expectation of
Suleiman's assistance. A fleet of large canoes had been concentrated at
a given point for the invasion of the island; and Kabba Rega and his
sheiks considered that at length their old enemy was in the snare.
My unexpected arrival had ruined the project, as I strictly forbade
Suleiman to attack Rionga.
This disappointed Kabba Rega and his people, who could not understand
how I could be the friend of his late father Kamrasi, and at the same
time protect his enemy Rionga.
The attack on the island was a dangerous adventure, as it was surrounded
by dense masses of papyrus rush that would prevent canoes from landing,
except at certain places were narrow passages had been cleared.
