At length, after ninety-three days' absence, news was brought that
Wat-el-Mek and the troops were close at hand. Shooli had arrived at
daybreak to say that a native had seen them on the previous evening on
the north side of Shooa hill, about seven miles from Fatiko.
At 2.30 P.M., on 8th March, we distinguished the white uniforms
ascending the plateau at the north end of the Fatiko plain; and shortly
after, the main body emerged from among the rocks and foliage, and
formed on the level ground. I at once distinguished with the telescope
the lieutenant-colonel, Tayib Agha, upon his well-known powerful white
horse.
My troops in full uniform went out to meet the reinforcements, which
quickly marched up and formed on the level turf outside the fort upon
the north side.
I rode out and inspected the troops.
NOT ONE HEAD OF CATTLE HAD ARRIVED!
The lieutenant-colonel, Tayib Agha, had made a sad mess of his command
during the march. He had quarrelled with Wat-el-Mek; and simply because
some of the native carriers had absconded in a portion of the Bari
country named Moogi, he had set fire to the villages in revenge!
