I ordered half-a-dozen large port-fires to be brought; these
were lighted and held by six men who stepped forward from the ranks. The
blaze of red light illumined the whole neighbourhood, and cast a
peculiar glow upon the dark foliage of the bananas and the forms of the
dusky chiefs who sat in a line opposite the troops.
"Suleiman and Eddrees were led by the guard, and appeared before the
tribunal. Suleiman, although pinioned, retained the same haughty swagger
that had always distinguished him. The charges against him were as
follows:
"1. For having conspired to attack Rionga, in direct opposition to my
positive orders.
"2. For treasonably speaking against the government of the Khedive to
the native chiefs.
"3. For arranging and abetting the escape of the irregular new levy, who
had enlisted in the government service, together with that of the
slaves.
"4. For having murdered, with his own hands, a native whom I had
confided to his care.
"After a careful trial the prisoner was found guilty upon every charge;
and the second vakeel, Eddrees, was proved to have been an accomplice.
"I immediately sentenced Suleiman to receive 200 lashes upon the spot,
as a first instalment of future punishment. Blue lights had been
substituted for the port-fires that had burned out, and the haughty
brigand, Suleiman, was laid upon the ground by the ready troops to
receive his punishment.
