Umbogo declared that if I would only march to Mashudi, the natives would
rise in his favour and join me.
I told him that if this were true, he could surely find some person who
would run to Mashudi, and raise the malcontents, who would at once carry
my message to Rionga.
Umbogo promised to do his best: at the same time he expressed an opinion
that Rionga would not wait long in inaction, but that he would invade
Kabba Rega directly that he should hear of the war. From my experience
of natives, I did not share his opinion.
As Kittakara had apologized for the attack to Colonel Abd-el-Kader, and
a truce had been arranged, a great number of natives spread themselves
over the ruins of the town, to search for the iron molotes, which are
generally concealed in the earth, beneath the floor of the huts. The
natives were all prodding the smoking ground with the iron-tipped
butt-ends of their lances to discover the treasures.
Umbogo now went among them with his guard, and conversed upon the cause
of the late attack.
In the evening, Umbogo declared that he was not quite certain of the
truth; he evidently suspected the sincerity of Kabba Rega.
