"Very heavy rain at 1 P.M.
"April 13. - The soil is wonderfully fertile - this is a chocolate-
coloured vegetable loam. Among the crops is a species of esculent
solanum, with large orange-coloured berries; both the fruit and leaves
are eaten by the natives.
"I repaired my boots to-day with the milk from the india-rubber-tree.
Julian (Lieutenant Baker) had fever. Colonel Abd-el-Kader and party
returned at 2.40 P.M., having marched rapidly, and accomplished their
mission and a journey of forty-two miles in twenty-seven hours and forty
minutes.
"This excellent officer brought with him, secured by a small leather
thong, by the neck, the great sheiks Kittakara, Matonse, and several
smaller fry.
"The royal sheik, Rahonka, escaped by breaking through the side of his
hut.
"The report was as follows: -
"Colonel Abd-el-Kader and his party of thirty men had arrived at
Suleiman's zareeba at about 8 P.M. He found the vakeels, Suleiman and
Eddrees, surrounded by many of their men, apparently in consultation.
"Upon Abd-el-Kader's appearance, the men moved off, one by one, and
quietly packed up their effects, preparatory to a general flight.
