I should therefore send Suleiman and his
people under an escort direct to Major Abdullah, the commandant, with
orders to recover from Abou Saood all the slaves that had been captured
from Unyoro.
Major Abdullah would then break up his camp at Fatiko, and march in
charge of the slaves, with his detachment of 100 men, together with all
effects, and join me at Unyoro. He would, upon arrival at the Victoria
Nile, occupy the now deserted station of Suleiman at Foweera; thus he
would be within a march of Rionga.
The old enemy of the family (Rionga) would then have an opportunity,
either of declaring his allegiance and remaining at peace, or, should he
become turbulent, a government force would be at hand to control him.
I therefore arranged that Kabba Rega should supply me with 300 carriers,
who would accompany my escort to Fatiko and transport all stores,
ammunition, &c., &c., so as to concentrate my force in Unyoro.
This plan seemed to delight Kabba Rega; he declared that the first step
necessary was the banishment of Suleiman and his people from the
country. The next move would be the attack upon Rionga. I explained to
him that it would be quite useless for any enemy to retreat for security
to the river islands, as the rockets would search them out in the middle
of the dense canes, and they would be only too glad to escape; but at
the same time, I should hope that Rionga would come to terms and avoid
the necessity of a resort to force.
