I had told Umbogo to make inquiries as to the safety of little
Cherri-Merri. The boy was unharmed, as he had been taken away before the
fight.
It was now proved that the cows had also been removed during the night
previous to the attack, as I had suspected.
During the day, vast number of people were collected at a large village,
situated on a knoll, about 700 yards from our station in a direct line.
This place, we were informed, was now occupied by Kabba Rega. The knoll
was about eighty feet lower than our high position; therefore, as we had
roughly cut down the grass, we looked directly upon the village.
We lost no time in erecting the large astronomical telescope upon its
stand. This was placed upon the flat gravel approach in front of the
government divan, and through the powerful glass we could distinguish
each feature, and the expression of every individual countenance of the
crowd within the village.
During the day, messengers arrived from Kabba Rega with an official
explanation of the misunderstanding. They declared that it was entirely
the fault of Matonse, who would be soon captured; that Kabba Rega
desired them to express his deep regret; "Was he not my son?
