Not a word was spoken, or even whispered.
My men were very bloodthirsty. They had been atrociously treated by the
natives, and had suffered much. They longed to get their enemies fairly
before them, and the "Forty Thieves" were now keenly looking out for the
approach of the wily Unyoros.
We heard distant voices; they were coming nearer. A sharp clicking of
locks might be heard, as the men got ready.
All Sadik was one of my best shots in "The Forty." I now saw him taking
a steady aim. Saat Choush, who was the champion shot of "The Forty", had
also raised his rifle, and almost immediately several shots were fired,
and the troops rushed forward! Two natives had been knocked over, and
some of the men returned, dragging in a body by the heels.
I now scoured the immediate neighbourhood, and discovered a quantity of
dhurra that was just ripened. This was immediately gathered as a great
prize.
During this interval, my men had been engaged in a most barbarous
ceremony, that perfectly disgusted me.
These superstitious people had an idea, that every bullet they might
fire would kill an Unyoro, if they could only devour a portion of their
enemy's liver.
