w

THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES

ARTHUR

PROBSTHAIN

Bookseller
Oriental
41 Gt. Russell Street

LONDON.

W.C.

,.

LA(^/^

bu/o b^M^TTU^Mrcc^ z/o'aJW/y.

7M/
z/yOyCr/^

ISMAILIA
A

TFIE

NARRATIVE OF THE EXPEDITION

TO C^ENTRAL AFRICA FOR
SUPPRESSION OF THE SLAVE TRADE
OUGAXIZED

P,Y

v.n>:
ISMAIL,
KHEDIVE OF EGYPT.

SIK

SAMUEL

W. 15AKER, PACHA,

^\.\..,

F.R.S., F.IUf.S.

Ottoman Empire, Memher of the Orders nj the 0.<m<'.ni(

and the MedJidiS, late Gocernor-General of the Eipiatot ial Nile Basin, Gold
Medal/i.<t of the Jio>/at Geographical Societi/, Grande Midaitle d'Or r/* /
Sncieti de Geojraphie de Paris, ffonorari/ Member of the Geoyrdphicol
Societies of Paris and of Berlin, Author of " The Albert S'l/a/'Ca Gre"'
Basin of the Nile," " The Xile Trihutaries of Abi/ssinia," " Eight Y'lrt
Wand-in'n'js in Ceylon" " The Rijle and Jlouiid in Cei/lon," etc. <tc.
Major-General of

the

ir/TH MAPS, PORTRAITS,

ILLUSTRATIOXS

AXD UPWARDS OF FIFTY FULL-PAdl.

BY ZIVECKER AND DTRAND.

TWO VOLUMES.

IN

VOLUME

]\I

AC

:\I

r. T.

I.

N A N D C 0.

1S74.

CONTENTS OF VOLUME

I.

"<i

CHAPTER

I.

PAOE

INTRODUCTORY

CHAPTER

II.

ENGLISH PARTY

12

CHAPTER

III.

THE RETREAT

67

CHAPTER

IV.

THE CAMP AT TEWFIKEEYAH

CHAPTER
EXPLORATION OF

TUli

100

V.

OLU WHITE NILE

CHAPTER

140

VI.

THE START

VOL.

I.

I7O

yi

CONTENTS OF VOLUME
CHAPTER

VII.

220

ARRIVAL AT GONDOKCRO

CHAPTER

VIII.

248

OFFICIAL ANNEXATION

CHAPTER

IX.
290

NEW ENEMIES

CHAPTER
DESTRUCTION OF THE

I.

SIIIR

X.

DETACHMENT

314

CHAPTER XL
352

SPIRIT OF DISAFFECTION

CHAPTER

XII.

VESSELS RETURN TO KHARTOUM

CHAPTER
MORAL RESULTS OF THE HUNT

397

XIII.

416

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
To fiice
jH'.ge

PORTRAIT OF SIR SAMUEL BAKER

FrOllt.

MAP OF ROUTK

LIEUTENANT JULIAN ALLEYN BAKER, R.N

12

MR. EDWIN HIGGINBOTIIAM

12

....

27

LIEUT. -COL. ABD-EL-KADER

31

THE CAMEL TRANSPORT OF STEAMERS AND MACHINERY

"the FORTY THIEVES," COMMANDED BY

DEPARTURE FROM KHARTOUM

31

CROCODILE MOBBED IN THE SUDD

57

THE " DAMALIS SENEGALENSIS "

HAULING THE

NO.

10

STALKING

...

THE SENTRY

STEAMER THUOUGH THE CANALS

IN

74

THE

MIDST OF THE VEGETABLE OBSTRUCTIONS

75

HIPPOPOTAMUS KILLS THE BLIND SHEIK IN THE SHILLOOl\ COUNTRY

llcS

LIBERATION OF SLAVES AFTER THE CAPTURE OF THE SLAVE BOATS

128

AJIRIVAL AT THE

STOPPAGE THE BALENICEPS REX

A HIPPOPOTAMUS ATTACKS THE BOATS DURING THE NIGHT

189

210

LAST OF ILLVSTliATIONS.
To face
page

Fig.

^^

1.-

PACKET OF PLAITED HOPE OF UGANDA

2.

SANDAL

3.

SKULL

4.

OP

UAW HIDE AS MADE

OF THE BALENICEPS REX

IN

UNYOUO

....
0-:
238

THE IRON MOLOTE, OR SPADE, OP THE BARI AND MADI

TRIBES

J,

5.

PIPE

BOWL OF THE BARI TRIBE

OFFICIAL ANNEXATION OF GONDOKORO

./

SALUTING

THE FLAG

249

THE BELINIAN BARIS ATTACK AND DRIVE OFF THE CATTLE

FIG.

1.

ARROW

j^

2.

ELEPHANT

3.

UNYORO

4.

SHARP-POINTED

263

HEADS OF THE BARI TRIBE

SPEARS OF THE UNYORO AND DMIRO

272

KNIFE
CLUB OF IRON-WOOD USED BY THE SHIR

TRIBE

LANDING A CROCODILE AT GONDOKORO

295

GENERAL NIGHT ATTACK ON THE STATION AT GONDOKORO

ASSAULT UPON THE STOCKADES AT BKLINIAN

.......

309
327

ELEPHANTS IN A DIFFICULTY

412

HIPPOPOTAMUS ATTACKING THE DINGY

428

A BULL ELEPHANT SHAKES DOWN THE FRUIT

435

I S

MAIL
CHAPTER

it

A.

I.

INTRODUCTORY.
In the present work
of the

history

the

shall describe

Khedive of Egypt's expedition, which

had the honour

to

command,

been

has

that

step

as the first

taken to

suppress

have

practical

the

slave

be

abso-

trade of Central Africa.

I

not repeat, beyond what nuiy

shall

which has already been pub-

lutely necessary, that

lished in

my

former works on Africa,

"The

N'yanza"' and
shall

the

expedition.

of

result

been

an

trade,

VOL.

my

This

l.fu

simple

the

enterprise

path
is

original explorations, in

eye-witness

which

Nile Tributaries of Abyssinia,"

adhere to

l)ut

"The Albert

to

the

determined,

if

the

taken by
practical

which

horrors of

the

had
slave

possible, to suppress.

ISMAILIA.

2
In

my

former jouroey

extreme

of

healthy

climate

i.

had traversed countries

Central

in

fertility

[chap.

a
of

settlement

the

favourable for

with

Africa,

Europeans, at a mean altitude of 4,000 feet above

the sea

This

level.

and

large

boundless

almost

extent of country was well peopled by a race

who

only required the protection of a strong but paternal government to

and

ance,

of the

to

become

of considerable

eventually develop the great resources

soil.

found lands varying

according to
sugar,

cotton,

and

position

their

coffee,

natural

in

spices,

rice,

and

all

lands were without any civilized form

ment, and " every

own

man

capabilities

altitudes

produce might be successfully cultivated

his

import-

did what

where
tropical

but those

of

govern-

seemed right

in

eyes."

In this dislocated state of society, the slave trade

detriment

prospered

to

Eich and

well-populated

desolate

the

into captivity

infernal region

the

were rendered

was

natives

were

carried

and crops were

population

the

a terrestrial paradise

improvement.

children

villages were burnt,

destroyed or pillaged
out

all

countries

women and

the

of

was driven

converted into

who

an

were originally

friendly were rendered hostile to all strangers, aud

CHAP.

SLA VE-HUNTEBS.

I.]

the general result of the slave trade could only be

one word

expressed in

The

"ruin."

hunters and

slave

were

this desolation

who had caused

traders

most part Arabs, sub-

for the

Egyptian government.

jects of the

These people had deserted their agricultural occupations in

of brigands

his

The

These

military

of

as

had

brigands,

in

organized after a

armed

and

2,500 Arabs

or

pirates

men were

fashion,

merchants of

various

trader

larojest

pay, employed

Central Africa.

rude

pay

the

in

Khartoum.
in

Soudan and had formed companies

the

muskets

with

they were divided into companies, and were officered

in

many

by

cases

their regiments in
It

is

supposed

dive's subjects

working
enoraored

and
in

who had

soldiers

Egypt
that

about

who should
paying

the

15,000

liave

ivory

so-called

of the

Khe-

been industriously

taxes

their

from

Soudan.

the

or

deserted

in

trade

Egypt were
and

slave-

hunting of the White Nile.

Each trader occupied

special

district,

by a division of his forces in a chain of

where,

stations,

each of which represented about 300 men, he could

exercise a right of possession over a certain

of assumed

amount

territory.

In this manner enormous tracts of country were

B 2

ISMAILIA.

[chap.

who

occupied by the armed bands from Khartoum,

make

could

with

alliances

native

the

tribes

attack and destroy their neighbours, and to carry

their

women and

I.

to
ofl'

children, together with vast herds

of sheep and cattle.

have already fully described

Albert N'yanza," therefore

to enter
It

into

be

will

minute

to

extended scale of the

explain

that

assumed

the

an

square miles of

present work.

in the

convey an idea

slave-hunting

individual

nearly

territory.

Thus

the

of

operations,

to

named Agad

trader

over

right

unnecessary

be

will

it

details

sufScient,

system in " The

this

ninety
his

thousand

companies of

brigands could pillage at discretion, massacre, take,

burn,

destroy

or

beyond

or even

throughout
this

broad

enormous

this
limit,

area,

they had the

if

power.
It

impossible to

is

slaves taken

should

know

the actual

from Central Africa annually

imagine

that

at

positively either captured

least

fifty

and held

the

various

The

Kordofan.
capture
frightful.

and

routes
loss

of

overland
life

in

of

but

are

the various

White Nile

by Darfur

attendant upon

subsequent treatment of the

The

thousand

zaribas (or camps) or are sent via the

and

number

and
the

slaA^es is

result of this forced emigration,

com-

CHAP.

THE PRINCE OF WALES.

I.]

bined with

the insecurity

of

life

and property,

is

withdrawal of the population from the infested

the

The natives have the option of submis-

districts.

sion

every

to

women and

insult,

the

to

violation

their

of

the pillage of their crops, or they

must

homes and seek independence

either desert their

in

distant districts, or they must ally themselves with

their

oppressors

other tribes.

to

Thus the seeds of anarchy

throuo-hout Africa,
ally prone to

fusion,

and

oppression

the

in

assist

which

anarchy.

distrust on

among

fall

The

all sides,

sown

are

tribes

of

natur-

result is horrible con-

treachery, devastation,

ruin.

This was the

White Nile when

of

notice

was

present

the

the

honoured with the

first

Pacha,

Ismail

and

Africa

Central

state of

Khedive of

EgyptI

had

Foreign

Minister,

Nubar

Khedive's intentions,
invitation

with

from

the

concerning

the

intimations

certain

received

Pacha,

a short time

which

was

previous to

honoured

by

an
his

Royal Highness the Prince of Wales to accompany

their

Royal

Highnesses

the

Prince

and

Princess

during their tour in Egypt.

It

in

is

almost needless to add that, upon arrival

Eg}^pt, the Prince of Wales,

who

represented at

I8MAILIA.

warmest

interest

Great

of

principles

the

heart

the

in

[chap.

took

Britain,

suppression

the

of

i.

the
slave

trade.

The Khedive, thus supported and encouraged

arrangements for

his ideas of reform, concluded his

the

throughout
attack

of

abolition

total

moral

that

After

"

at

draw up a plan

to

proposed expedition to Central Africa.

some

slight modifications,

Ismail,

Basin

received from

Khedive of Egypt, considering the

savage condition
Nile

cautery

evil.

Khedive the following firman

We,

determined to

he

actual

was accordingly requested

for the

the

by

cancer

the very root of the

I

but

dominions,

his

only

not

slave trade,

tlie

in

which

of the tribes

inhabit

the

" Considering that neither government, nor laws,

nor security exists in those countries

" Considering that
pression

of

the

" Considering

humanity enforces

slave-hunters

countries in great

the

who occupy

supthose

numbers

that

the

mate commerce throughout

establishment

opening to

of legiti-

those countries will be

a great stride towards future

result in the

civilization,

steam

and

will

navigation of the

great equatorial lakes of Central Africa, and in the

CHAP.

THE KHEDIVE'S FIRMAN.

I.]

.... We

permanent government

establishing a

have decreed and now decree as follows

"An

expedition

authority

the

Gondokoro
"

To

organized

countries

subdue to our

to

situated

the

to

south

of

suppress

system of

is

the

regu.lar

" To open

slave

trade

commerce

navigation

to

introduce

to

the great lakes of the

equator
"

And

to establish a chain of military stations

and

commercial depots, distant at intervals of three days'

march, throughout Central Africa, accepting Gondokoro as the base of operations.

"The supreme command

of

this

expedition

is

confided to Sir Samuel White Baker, for four years,

commencing from

we

confer

the

1st

April,

1869

whom

to

also

most absolute and supreme power,

even that of death, over

all

those

who may compose

the expedition.
"

We

confer

upon him

supreme authority over

all

to the Nile Basin south of

It

same

absolute

and

those countries belonging

Gondokoro."

was thus that the Khedive determined at the

risk of

his

popularity

strike a direct
nest.

the

To

among

his

own

subjects

blow at the slave trade in

its

to

distant

insure the fulfilment of this difficult en-

ISMA ILIA.

he

terprise,

despotic

an Englishman, armed

selected

power

slave trade

commerce was

Avitli

I.

had never been intrusted

as

sucli

by a Mohammedan
The

[chap.

to a Christian.

was

to be suppressed

legitimate

and protection was

to be introduced,

natives by the establishment

to be afforded to the

of a government.

The suppression

trade was a com-

the slave

of

pliment to the European Powers which would denote

the superiority of Egypt, and would

new

stone in the foundation of a

a population

that

lay the

civilization

first

and

was rapidly disappearing would

be saved to Africa.

To
to

effect this

grand reform

annex the Nile Basin, and

ment

in countries

To convey

Soudan,

and

to

thus

open

the

doer,

to

protect the

and

the past
reckless

to

Central

of

field

Africa;

to

a vast country which

trade in

had hitherto been a

;

steamers from England,

upon the Albert Lake, and

resources

establish legitimate

der

to establish a govern-

the adventurers from the

to
steel

launch them

would be necessary

had been hitherto without

that

and a prey

protection,

it

of

rapine

weak and

to

and of mur-

punish the

evil-

open the road to a great future, where

had

been

spoliation

all

darkness

this

was

and the present

the

grand

object

CHAP.

THE LAKE STEAMERS.

I.]

which Ismail, the Khedive of Egypt, determined

to

accomplish.

In this humane
ported

by

his

two

was firmly sup-

he

enterprise

Ministers,

Nubar Pacha and

Cherif Pacha (an Armenian and a Circassian).

young princes

his sons,

who

The

are well-educated

and

enlightened men, took the greatest interest in the

undertaking
the

but beyond these

of

object

the

and a few

others,

was regarded with

expedition

ill-concealed disgust.

Having received
I

full

powers from the Khedive,

gave orders for the following vessels to be built

of steel

No.

1.

No.

2,

by Messrs. Samuda Brothers

paddle steamer of 251 tons, 32-horse power.

twin

108
No.

3.

4, 5,

screw high-pressiire steamer of 20-horse power,

tons.

twin screw high-pressure steamer of

38
Nos.

10 horse power,

tons.

Two

steel lifeboats,

These vessels were

carried

each 30

fitted

construction by Messrs.

be

across the

ft.

by 9

10 tons each.

with engines of the best

Penn &

and were

Co.,

Nubian desert

in

plates

to

and

sections.

In addition to the steamers were steam

with a
all

boiler that

of which

weighed

would have

to

l)e

8 cwt.

in

saw

mills,

one piece

transported by camels

ISMAILIA.

for several

[chap.

hundred miles across the Nubian

I.

desert,

and by boats and camels alternately from Alexandria

Gondokoro, a distance of about three thousand

to

miles.

In the description of this enterprise, which ter-

minated in the suppression of the slave trade of the

White Nile and the annexation of a

territory to Egypt, I shall

many
ment

large equatorial

be compelled to expose

abuses which were the result of misgovernin the distant provinces of

must be

Upper Egypt.

It

distinctly understood that his Highness the

Khedive was ignorant of such abuses, and that he

took prompt and vigorous measures to reform the
administration of the Soudan immediately upon receiving information of

extensive territory.

the

misgovernment of that

Throughout the expedition

his

Highness has exhibited a determination to succeed

in the suppression of the slave trade in spite of the

adverse opinion

of

the

public,

expose the abuses that existed,

without

hesitation

that

the

it

therefore,

when

must be accepted

Khedive would

have

been the foremost in punishing the authors and in

rectifying such abuses

had he been aware of

their

existence.

As a duty
self,

to

the Khedive, and in justice to

shall describe the principal incidents as

mythey

CHAP.

THE WORK HEREAFTER.

I.]

occurred throughout the

world

will

assure
the

my

shall

The

expedition.

form both judge and jury

be favourable,

11

have

fellow-men that

my
I

if

reward.

civilized

their verdict
I

can only

have sought earnestly

guidance of the Almighty in

great power committed to me,

and

the
I

use

of

trust that

have been permitted to lay a firm foundation

good work hereafter.

the
I

for a

"
;

CHAPTER

11.

ENGLISH PARTY.

The

success

upon

organization.

Central Africa,
the

of

an

of

From my former
knew

and

natives,

old

adage

" out

of

might be adopted

also kne\v

that

mind

out of

sight

of

would

that

the Egyptian motto, therefore

as

would be indispensable

it

requirements

material

the

all

mainly

experience in

the

exactly

be necessary for the enterprise.

the

depends

expedition

supply

to

myself

with

everything at the outset, so as to be independent

of support hereafter.

Baker;
]\Ir.

Lieutenant

Edwin

Wood,

Higginbotham,

secretary

Mr.

Marcopolo,

Mr.

Mc William,

Jarvis,

chief

Julian

chief
chief

Baker,

civil

engineer

Gedge,

storekeeper

engineer

shipwright

R.N.;

Alleyne

Joseph

Dr.

Lady

of myself and

The English party consisted

Mr.

physician

and interpreter;
of

together

steamers

with

Mr.

JMessrs.

LIEUT. JULIAN

MR.

ALLEYNE BAKER,

EDWIN HIGGINBOTHAM,

R.N.

Engincer-in-Chicf of the Expedition.

Vol.

p. 12.

CHAP.

OUTFIT.

II.

Hitchman, and

Samson,

Whitfield,

l)oiler- makers,

wrights,

13

In

&c.

ship-

Eaiiisall,

addition

the

to

above were two servants.

I

in

laid

stores

sufficient

to

the European

last

party four years.

I

provided four galvanized iron magazines, each

eighty
all

long by

feet

twenty

width,

in

protect

to

material.

Before

England

left

personally selected every

that was necessary for the expedition

article

an expenditure of about 9,000 was

thus

sufficient

for

the purchase of the almost innumerable items that

formed the

outfit for the

an admirable selection of
as

cotton

grey

sheeting,

Manchester goods,

such

and

also

cotton,

calico,

and blue

woollen blankets, white, scarlet,

red

scarfs,

colours,

of

and

chintz

yellow

printed

This included

enterprise.

handkerchiefs

of

Indian

gaudy

scarlet flannel shirts, serge

colours (blue, red), linen trowsers, &c., &c.

Tools of
bells,

sorts

axes,

small

hatchets,

brass rods, copper rods, combs,

knives,

boxes,

all

crockery,

coloured

tin

prints,

spoons, cheap watches,

plates,

zinc

mirrors,

fish-hooks,

musical

finger-rings,
&c.,

harness

razors,

tinned

ckc.

All these tilings were purchased through Messrs.

Silber

& Fleming,

of

Wood

Street,

Cheapside.

ISMAIL'iA.

14

thus had sufficient

body of troops

II.

clothing for a considerable

while

necessary,

if

[chap.

magazines

the

could produce anything from a needle to a crowbar,

from a handkerchief to a

or

be

seen

that

hereafter

these

boat's

will

It

sail.

arrangements

careful

assured the success of the expedition, as the troops,

when

without pay, could procure

left

quired from the

they re-

all

apparently inexhaustible stores of

the magazines.

In addition to the merchandize and general supplies,

had several large musical boxes with

and drums, an excellent magic

battery,

The

wheels of

girandoles

also the

lantern, a magnetic

and an assortment of

life,

wonder

greatest

bells

toys.

were two large

to the natives

silvered balls, about six inches

in diameter, that, suspended from the branch

of

reflected the scene beneath.

tree,

In

the

expedition

every

principal

difficulty

is

the transport.
" Travel
for

all

light,

countries

possible,"

if

but

in

the

is

this

instance

simply impossible, as the object of

was not only

to

but to establish
the

nefarious

convey steamers
legitimate

system

of

trade

pillage

by the so-called White Nile

advice

best

it

was

the expedition

to Central Africa,

in

the

hitherto

traders.

It

place

of

adopted

was

there-

CHAP.

ARRANGEMENTS.

II.]

of goods

and

of' all

arranged

stock

large

kinds, in addition to the machinery

steamers.

steel sections of

possess

absolutely necessary to

fore

15

the

that

should

expedition

start

in

three divisions.

Six steamers, varying from 40 to 80-horse power,

were ordered to leave Cairo in June^ together with

fifteen

and

sloops

six vessels

Khartoum,

to

fifteen

total,

thirty-

ascend the cataracts of the Nile to

distance

diahbeeahs

by

of

river

1,450

aljout

These vessels were to convey the whole of

miles.

the merchandize.

Twenty-five vessels were ordered to be in readiness

Khartoum,

at

with

together

The governor-general

steamers.

three

Pacha) was to pro-

(DjiafFer

vide these vessels by a certain date, together with

camels

the

and

necessary

horses

for

the

land

transport.

Thus when the

from Cairo, the

fleet

total

and

should arrive at
of

force

nine

steamers

latter

averaging about

fifty

Hiaginbotham

had

transport

Korosko

Mr.
desert
to
tlie

fifty-five

fi'om

that admirable officer

steamer sections and

vessels

sailing

Khartoum
would be

vessels,

the

tons each,
the

command
to

of

the

Khartoum,

and

intrusted

the

charge of

machinery, together with

ISMAILIA:

16
the

command

[cHAr.

English

of

the

to

bring

me-

and

engineers

II.

chanics.
I

arranged

route,

vid

up

the

rear

by

Souakim on the Red

Sea,

from which

the desert journey to Berber, on

17 37',

My

275 statute

is

reason

insure

for

the Nile, N.

lat.

miles.

division

this

supply

quick

another

of

was

routes

of

camels,

to

much delay

as

would have been occasioned had the great mass of

transport been conveyed

The
1,645

by one

military arrangements

including

troops,

and two

cavalry,

two

were

fantry

The

selected.

many

officers

years

in

Marshal

comprised a

corps

batteries

road.

of

regiments,

force

of

200 irregular

of

The

artillery.

supposed to

in-

be well

black, or Soudani, regiment included

and men who had served

Mexico

with

the

some

for

army under

French

The Egyptian regiment turned

Bazaine,

out to be for the most part

had been transported

convicted

for various

felons

who

crimes from Egypt

to the Soudan.

The

artillery

bronze, the
shells of 8:5

kindly
rockets

were

barrel
lbs.

supplied

rifled

mountain

weighing 230

The
the

expedition

three-pounders and

fifty

of

and throwing

lbs.,

authorities at

guns

Woolwich had

with

200

snider

Hale's

rifles,

to-

CHAP.

MILITARY FORCE.

II.]

with

gether

The military

tion.

rounds

50,000

force

17

ammuni-

snider

of

and supplies were to be

massed in Khartoum ready to meet

me upon my

arrival

had taken extra precautions

ammunition and
boxes

for

Hale's

rockets,

with

and smaller
painted

ammunition,

The

tin.

the

in

was

lid,

and

locks

soldered
closed,

case.

Each

case,

with

&c.

hinges,

when

when

sealed

deal

goods

Manchester

light

with

plate

tin

hermetically

packed

of

were packed in strong, useful,

boxes,

that

so

face,

an

boxes

the

also

Each box was numbered, and

opened,

The teak

were lined and hermetically sealed

articles

tin

the packing of

goods.

perishable

all

snider

soldered

in

the

was

lid

over the

open

locked

above

tin

box

was

to

cor-

number

respond with the box within.

By

this

arrangement

destination

their

invaluable

handy

for

load,

as

tin

boxes

arrived

at

good as new, and were quite

travelling,

and

the

were

as

they each

alike

proof

formed

against

the

attacks of insects and bad weather.

I

had long waterproof cloaks

for the

night sen-

tries in

rainy climates, and sou'-wester caps

proved

of

VOL.

I.

great

service

during

active

these

operations

ISMAIL!A.

18

wet

the

in

under

the

as

the

and

the

season,
cloaks,

[chap.

were kept

rifles

men were

ii.

dry

protected

from wet and cold when on guard.

All

and

medicines

Apothecaries'

were

drugs

and were

Hall,

from

procured

accordingly

the

of

best quality.

The provisions

ghum

viilgare),

from

plies

for

wheat,

had

and

rice,

and

England,

rangements,

troops were dhurra

the

been

in

so

that throughout the expedition

want,

neither

could

have

changed

any

plan

ar-

attended

to,

not feel a

could

regret

either

general

the

carefully

The sup-

lentils.

fact

that

{sor-

wish

or

had

to

originally

determined.

For the transport of the heavy machinery across

the

two

desert

camels

steamers

upon

The

each.

and the

long

between

employed

poles

two

long

section

of

of

fir

from

in

the

camels

Many hundred

gun-carriages

poles served

steel

lifeboats

drawn

by

sections

of

were

Trieste,

manner

this

slunoo

arranged
of

shafts.

purpose, and sub-

sequently were used at head-quarters as rafters for

magazines and various buildings.

The No.
from
she

steamer of 250 tons had not arrived

England.

was

to

be

therefore

forwarded

left

across

instructions

the

desert

that

upon

CHAP.

DELAYS.

II.]

19

the same principles as adopted for

transport of

tlie

the other vessels.

tion
I

my

had thrown

but

whole heart into the expedi-

quickly perceived the

contend with in the passive

should have to

would be

those whose interests

sistance of

by the suppression
ransjements that

the

of

slave

The

affected

and

the

dates speci-

sailing

from Cairo should have started on

flotilla

10th June, in

Wady

order to have ascended the cataracts of the

Halfah at the period of high water.

this,

the

were delayed,

vessels

the Khedive

in

the

by the time they reached the second

had

river

the

of

absence

of

and

through

thus,

the

cataract,

it

was impossible

the

passage until

to

drag

the

next

Thus twelve months were wasted, and

season.

was

fallen,

steamers

Instead

Europe, until 29tli August

in

ar-

had made would have insured

steamers

six

re-

The

trade.

success, if carried out according to the

fied.

that

difficulties

at once

deprived of the invaluable aid of six

steamers.

In

addition

inevitable

to

this

difficulty

delay necessitated

the

w\as

by the

festivities

tending the opening of the Suez Canal.

dive,

with

his

accustomed hospitality,

immense preparations

for

fact

of
at-

The Khehad

the reception of

made

visitors,

c 2

ISMAILIA.

20

and every available vessel

[chap.

ii.

been prepared for

liad

the occasion.

of

sections
&c.,

eleven

the

hired

this

sections,

and were embarked on

AVith

vessels.

the

greatest

Korosko, from which

to

flotilla

desert journey

this

boiler

procured a steamer of 140-horse power

difficulty I

tow

machinery,

steamers,

arrived at Cairo,

&c.,

board

to

waggons laden with

train of forty-one railway

would commence.

steamer only by personal

spot

obtained

application

the

to

Khedive.

At length

the

w^itnessed

English party of engineers

with Mr.

against the

vessels

One
ment
but

the

of

of

entire

the

J.

long

line

powerful stream

The

Gedge.

of

of

eleven

the

Nile.

snapped at the commence-

tow-ropes

the voyage, which created some confusion,

when

they

righted,

quickly

steamed

out

of

This mass of heavy material, including two

view.

steamers,

was

the

and mechanics, together

Higginbotham and Dr.

Minieh towed

steamer

of

start

to

and two
be

3,000 miles,

steel lifeboats

transported

for

of ten tons each,

distance

of

about

400 of which would be across

the

scorching Nubian deserts

The

first

division

of

started on 2.9th August,

the

heavy baggage

1869, with the

had

sloops, to

CHAP.

THE START FROM

II.]

ascend the

by

cataracts direct

CAIRO.

21

Khartoum.

river to

dared not trust any portions of the steamers by

dangerous route,

this

with sections
It

was a

the

of

by the

might destroy

relief to

expedition,

.had already

lest

all

one vessel

loss of

hope of

success.

have started the main branches

after

the

endangered

seriously

delays

various

chances

the

For that river

the White Nile voyage.

that

all

of

vessels

should start from Khartoum early in November.

On
and

.5th

December, 1869, we brought up the

Suez on board an Egyptian sloop of war,

left

the Senaar.

Souakim,
of

after

an escape from wreck on the reef

close

acquaintance with a large

we nearly came

barque, with which

The captain of our

sloop

lieutenant appeared to be

and neither could

see,

very greasy and

officers

into collision.

was a most respectable

man, apparently about eighty

we reached

In four days and a half

Shad wan, and a

first

'years

of

somewhat

age.

The

his senior,

even with the assistance of

dirty

binocular.

The various

appeared to be vestiges from Noah's ark in

point of

antiquity

thus a close shave with a reef

and a near rub with a strange vessel were

incidents that might be expected in the

We

rear,

anchored safely in the

and landed

my

Red

little

Sea.

harbour of Souakim,

twenty-one horses without accident.

ISMAILIJ.

22

met

was

Moomtazz
officer,

by the

Bey,

wlio had

[chap.

my

governor,

friend

old

Circassian

intelligent

liighly

II.

shown me much kindness on

my

former expedition.

delay

week's

obtain
desert

in

In

camels.

275 miles

to

was necessary to

Souakini

days we crossed the

fourteen

Berber on the Nile, and found

We

a steamer and diahbeeah in readiness.

Khartoum, a distance of 200 miles by

at

three

having

days,

Suez in

the

short

arrived
in

river,

accomplished the voyage from

space

thirty-two

of

days,

in-

cluding stoppages.

Khartoum was not changed

had observed with dismay a
the

features

the

capital

of

country

the

since

my

on the banks of the

former
river,

externally
frightful

but

change

between Berber

The

visit.

rich

in

and
soil

which had a few years

since been

highly cultivated,

had been abandoned.

Now

and

then

neglected

might be

seen,

but

tuft

the

of

river's

date-palms

banks,

formerly

verdant with heavy crops, had become a wilderness.

Villages

once

crowded had

the

population was

The

night,

of

formerly

gone.

entirely
Irrigation

discordant with

countless water-wheels,

was now

disappeared

had
the

ceased.

creaking

silent as death.

There was not a dog to howl for a

lost

master.

CHAP.

GOVERNMENT OF THE SOUDAN.

11.]

Industry liad Vtanished

inhabitants from the

had

ojDpression

23
dii^-en

tlie

soil.

This terrible desolation was caused by the governorgeneral

the

of

honest man,

trusted

much

too

who preyed upon

others,

although himself an

Soudan, who,

the

his

left

of

As a

inhabitants.

good and true Mohammedan, he

to

honesty

the

to

territory

the sole care of God, and thus, trusting in Provi-

dence, he simply increased the taxes.

In one year

he sent to the Khedive his master 100,000 in hard

dollars,

have

WTung from

lost

the poor peasantry,

who must

an equal amount in the pillage that ac-

companies the collection of taxes.

The

population

Soudan
country

where,
the

and

to

selves

the

in

rights

plundered,

where
labour

from

fled
;

of

others

could

and where,
they

they

reap
free

might

White

they had

as

able

harvest

from the
indulge

of

their

homes, and

another's

of

restrictions of

in

the

exciting

Thousands

commenced

brigandage on the White Nile.

been

plunder;

to

and lucrative enterprise of slave-hunting.

had forsaken

Nile,

might trample upon

be
the

them-

betook

the

of

where,

would

the

of

and abandoned the

portion

trade

turn,

portion

richest

greater

slave

they

government,

the

oppression,

the

their

they
;

of

life

ISMAILIA.

24

was

This
arrived

the

The

Khartoum.

at

town, which was about

The European
exception

the

tough German

tailor,

Consul

who was proof

climate that had carried off

supplies

months

six

expected to find a

previous
fleet

against

for vessels

thus,

my

by

informed

coolly

that "it was

impossible

year

the

had been

Khartoum,

governor-general,

and

number

of

had purchased a house

me, as he expected that

at

my

the troops were at

to procure the

vessels required, therefore he

for

To

were no vessels prepared for transport.

there

was

and

naturally

instructions

neglected, that although

hand,

the

ready for departure, with

surprise, I discovered that

far

Mr.

extremely

the troops and supplies waiting for orders.

so

with

his companions.

had given the necessary orders

this

and

an

also

the number.

Mission

II.

former

disappeared,

all

Austrian

the

Austrian

the

Hansall,

had

of

my

during

to about half

residents
of

population

30,000

was now reduced

visit,

when

country

the

of

state

[chap.

should remain that

start

in

the

following

season."

There
voyage,

literally

in

spite

had been given.

the

was not one

of

At

the

vessel ready for the

positive

instructions

the same time I

that

found that

governor-general had just prepared a squadron

DJIAFFEB P AGRA'S EXPEDITION.

CHAP, n.]

25

of eleven vessels, with several companies of regular

an expedition to the Bahr Gazal, where

troops, for
it

was intended

form a settlement at the copper-

to

mines on the frontier of Darfur.

This expedition

had been placed under the command of one of the

most

notorious

White

and slave-hunters

ruffians

Kutchuk AH,

This man,

Nile.

the

of

originally of

low extraction, had made a fortune in his abominable

traffic,

the

and had accordingly received promotion from

governor

Khedive of
the

same time that

the

at

had employed me

Egj^pt

trade

slave

dition

thus,

the

of

had been intrusted

the

to

to suppress

government expe-

Nile,

the

command

one

of

of the most notorious slave -hunters.

I

but

unpopular,

dition

opposed

by

all

that

The

parties.

time the

of

slave-traders

principal

Mohammedans

thus

against a Christian

had

troops

Khartoum

had been intimate

officers

the

expe-

would be seriously

it

quartered for some months at

this

my

once perceived that not only was

at

during
mth

the

were

All

coimtry.

a coalition

been

would be natural

who commanded an

expedition

avowedly to annihilate the slave trade upon which

Khartoum
It

was

Khedive

subsisted.

a
in

*'

house divided against

the

north

issued

orders

itself

that

"

the

would

ISMAIL!A.

26
be

neutralized

in

the

[chap.

by

south

distant

his

ii.

own

authorities.

As

in the

of the

United States of America the opinion

South upon the question of emancipation was

opposed to that of

Soudan

the

was

North,

the

the

avowed

openly

opposition in

have been suggested to

believed to

reform

the

to

the

Khedive

by England.

The season was already

weapon

no

Egyptians.

so
I

knew

delay

as

fatal

hands

the

in

the

of

intentions

the

There

far advanced.

is

of

autho-

were to procrastinate until the departure of

rities

the expedition would

become impossible.

It

was

necessary to insist upon the immediate purchase of

vessels

been prepared months

which should have

before.

None

of the steamers from

The

cataracts.

had

depended
given

actually
Cairo.

large

the

transport

up

the

attempt

camels

of

and returned

had
to

had mounted the

vessels

and they could not

upon which

sloops

for

Only the smaller

cataracts,
for

fifteen

Cairo had passed the

arrive

at

Khartoum

some months.

The

first

division, consisting of

all

merchandize

that I had sent from Cairo, had arrived in

under the charge of a Syrian to

whom

Khartoum
had given

^^

lHilllMU_M

BEGIN TO WORK.

CHAP.

II.]

tlie

command.

heard that

27
Hio-oinbotham,

IMr.

accompanied by Dr. Gedge and the English party,

together with
his

way

all

the Egyptian mechanics,

was on

across the desert in charge of the steamers

and machinery, carried by some thousand camels.

The third

brought up by Mr.

division,

Souakim a few days

arrived from

later

Marcopolo,

than ourselves,

thus every arrangement that had been intrusted to

my own
After

officers

was well executed.

some

pressure,

purchase the

vessels.

It

began

governor

the

may

to

imagined that

be

a sudden necessity gave a welcome opportunity to

certain

Old vessels were purchased

officials.

at the

new, and the government agent received a

price of

bribe from the owners to pass the vessels on survey.

We

now

were

working
plished

at

fitting

task that

months

under

out

should have been accom-

Sailcloth

since.

and

difficulties,

was scarce

hempen

ropes were rarities in Khartoum, where the wretched

cordage was

The highest

the date-palm.

everything

obtained from

usually

thus

immense expense

prices

the

were paid

prearranged delay

for the

expedition.

leaves

caused
I

of
for

an

studiously

avoided any purchases personally, but simply gave

the

necessary

governor.

It

instructions
is

only

fair

to
to

be

executed by the

admit

that

he

now

ISMAILIA.

28

worked hard, and took great

the

of

Souakim, during

arrival at

Africa.

friend

me much

my

Djiaffer

kindness on

first

journey in

had therefore reckoned upon him

II.

the outfit

interest in

governor-general,

formerly shown

Pacha, had

my

This

flotilla.

[chap.

as

but no personal considerations could palliate

the secret hatred to the object of the expedition.

From

morning

pushing on the work

by Lieutenant

was

experience

seemed

to

work

at

the

move
a

J.

in this I

was 'occupied
was ably

in

assisted

Baker, E.N,, whose professional

of

much

service.

Khartoum

new

hundreds of

and yards

of masts

government house

had thirty-three

A.

in

row

night

till

rose

spirit

men were
up before

and in a few weeks we

of fifty or sixty tons

each,

caulked, rigged, and ready for the voyage of

1,450

vessels

miles to Gondokoro.

same energy had been shown some months

If the

ago,

have found a

should

awaiting me.
a season

had

lost

fleet

month

when every day was

of
at

fifty

ships

Khartoum

at

precious.

reviewed

the troops, about 1,400 infantry, and

two

batteries

of

condition,

the

entire

Pacha

but

force.

artillery.

The men were

in fine

had no means of transport

I

therefore

for

instructed Djiafi"er

to continue his exertions in preparing vessels,

CHAP.

IBREG ULAR CA VALRYYERY IRREG ULAR.

11.]

Mr. Higginbotham's

that on

SO

might

he

arrival

29

follow with the remaining detachment.

reviewed the irregular cavalry, about 250 horse.

Each man was

These were certainly very irregular.

armed

and

horsed

according

to

There were lank,

notion of a trooper's requirements.

half-starved horses

ponies

horses

heads

all

round short horses

that were

that had been

horses

all legs

individual

his

very small

others that were

groomed

horses

that had never gone through that operation.

and bridles were only

saddles

and

for

an old

curi-

There were some with faded strips of

osity shop.

gold

fit

The

silver

adhering

lace

here

and

there

others that resembled the horse in skeleton appear-

raw

had

which

ance,

crocodile

stirrups

been

The unseemly

skin.

were rusty

strengthened

by

men had swords and

of

huge shovel-

the bits were filthy.

strips

Some

of

pistols

others had short

blunderbusses with brass barrels

many had guns

the

various

of

Arab
that

to the

to the

The costumes varied

in a like

arms and animals.

Having formed
brilliant charge at a

many

old-fashioned

commonest double-barrelled French gun

was imported.

manner

from the long

patterns,

in

line,

they

now executed

supposed enemy, and performed

feats of valour

and having quickly got into

ISMAIL'iA.

30

[chap.

ir.

inconceivable confusion, they at length rallied and

returned to their original position.

I

complimented their

Pacha

DjiafFer

officer

and

having asked

my

these brave troops represented

if

cavalry force, and being assured of the fact, I dis-

missed them

and requested

form them that "

Pacha

Djiafier

regretted the

want

would not permit me the advantage of

'

Inshallah

&c,,
I

'

God

(Please

in-

transport

their services.

some future time,"

at

!)

of

to

&c.

thus got rid of

to see again.

my

cavalry,

which

never wished

had twenty-one good horses that

had brought from

and these together with

Cairo,

the horses belonoino- to the various officers were as

much

as

The

we

flotilla

engaged

could convey.

was ready

sailors

the voyage.

with the greatest

stampede

general

for

of

boatmen

Every one ran from Khartoum

We

as

difficulty,

had

taken

had
a

place.

to avoid the expe-

dition.

was

This

dodge

had incited the people

with

nection

such

the

of

an

to

slave-traders,

escape

enterprise.

who

from any conIt

was

sup-

posed that without boatmen we should be unable

to

start.

The

police

authorities

were employed,

and

by


rt

"

CHAP.

AN

II.]

OFFICIAL FAREWELL.

31

degrees the necessary crews were secured,

willing,

and composed of

in addition to the general stores of corn,

&c.,

innumerable.

selected from the

un-

all

and

hands,
cases,

men had been

Forty-six

two regiments, forming a

fine corps

body-guard of equal numbers black and white.

as
I

all

worst material.

tlie

Six months' rations were on board for

bales,

armed them with snider

my

manded by

They were com-

rifles.

aides-de-camp,

Lieutenant-Colonel

Abd-el-Kader and Captain Mahomet

On

Deii.

the 8th February, 1870, the bugles announced

The troops hurried on board

the departure.

spective transports according to the

on their

and

sides

accomplished.

The

sails.

had had

then a black pacha, a

to

ro.ra

their re-

numbers painted

official

parting was

embrace the governor,

avis in

terris,

and a

whole host of beys, concluding the affecting ceremony

with a very

fat

colonel

Avhom

my

arms could not

properly incircle.

couple of battalions lined the shore; the guns

fired the usual salute as

the

flotilla,

we

started on our voyage

composed of two steamers, respectively

of thirty-two and twenty-four horse-power, and thirty-

one sailing vessels, with a military force of about 800

men, got away

in

current

Blue

of

the

tolerable

Nile

order.

The powerful

quickly

swept us past


ISMAIL!A.

32

Khartoum, and haviDg rounded

up the

grand White

Nile.

pace with the steamers, one

diahbeeah, and

thus

The wind

blew very

of

other

my own

reference to

my

Berber with the

Albert N'yanza,

a fine

command.

steamers in sections for the

steel

will, I trust,

Gondokoro with

be provided with vessels

my

orders, so as to follow

supplies,

and about 350 troops

Khartoum, according
to

with

off

Higginbotham, who has safely arrived at

''Mr.

me

of the colonel,

journal, I find the following

entry upon 8th February, 1870

at

kept

was towing

w^hich

that

fleet

intrigues were left behind, and the

all

future would be under

On

we steamed

Thank God we were

Raouf Bey.
breeze

the

ii,

point,

tlie

from the north, thus the entire

strong

my

[chap,

to

with four guns.

"

My

original

programme

ness the Khedive,

orders

and

sloops,

on

Khartoum,
prepare

10th
at

three

to

by

his

High-

ordered the execution of

by the authorities

fifteen

Cairo

who

agreed

my

arranged that six steamers,

fifteen

diahbeeahs,

ascend

the

should leave
cataracts

to

which place Djiaffer Pacha was

to

steamers and

to

June,

to

twenty-five

vessels

convey 1,650 troops, together with transport animals

and
"

supplies.

The usual Egyptian delays have

entirely thwarted

CHAP.

my

ARRIVAL AT FASHODA.

11.]

No

plans.

vessels

33

Lave arrived

froni Cairo, as

August.

Thus, rather

they only started on

29tli

than turn back,

with a mutilated expedition,

I start

without a single transport animal."

Having minutely described the AVhite Nile

former work,
the

'"'

The Albert N'yanza,"

we

steaming
tion

the

in

103

In

description.

I shall

in

not repeat

and ten minutes'

hours

reached Fashoda, the government staShillook

country, N.

lat.

9'

G18

52',

miles by river from Khartoum.

This town

had

been

fortified

by a wall and

flanking towers since I had last visited the

Nile,

and

Egyptian

it

was

by a

garrisoned

AH

soldiers.

regiment

that the Shillook country

and that according

the

of

Bey, the governor, was

remarkably handsome old man, a Kurd.

me

White

was

He

assured

in excellent order

to the instructions received

from

Khedive he had exerted himself against the slave

trade,

was impossible

so that it

for vessels to pass

the station.

Fashoda was well situated

for this purpose, as it

completely dominated the river

my

but

much doubted

friend's veracity.

Having taken on board a month's

hands,
VOL.

we
I.

started

rations for all

and, with a strong breeze in our

ISMAIMA.

34

we reached

favour,

[chap.

Sobat

the

on

junction

II.

16th

February, at 12.30 p.m.

There
Sobat

is

we took

in

superior

to

this season the river

the

of

level

for a

the

great

that

it

The water

By dead
684

junction

below the
Sobat

the

of

by

is

White Nile
I

made

river

from

reckoning

miles

At

Nile.

feet

that of the

colours

distance.

Sobat

White

the

of

the

that of

as

was about eight

bank.

and

yellowish,

water,

fresh

Khartoum.

When

saw

January 1863,

the
it

Sobat,

was

bank-full.

very powerful, and when

during
six

my

former voyage,

twenty-eight

to

sounded

The

feet.

The current

is

in various places

volume

brought to the Nile by this river

the White Nile, that as

of

first

found a depth of twenty-

the power of the stream

week

the

in

is
it

so

immense, and

is

superior to that of

arrives at right angles,

the waters of the Nile are banked up.

The yellow

water of the Sobat forms a distinct

line

through the clear water of the main

river,

floating

White

rafts

of vegetation

Nile, instead of

water

of

as

it

cuts

and the

brought down by the

continuing their voyage, are

headed back, and remain helplessly in the backwater.

The sources of the Sobat

there can be

are

still

a mystery

but

no doubt that the principal volume

CHAP.

II.]

ORIGIN OF THE SOBAT.

must be water of mouutain

by earthy matter, aud

is

origin, as it is coloured

is

At

navigable.

the

marsh

The expeditions

of the

quite

water of the White Nile.

slave-hunters have

35

unlike

ascended the river as far as

it

that point seven different streams

converge into one channel, which forms the great

river Sobat.

It

is

my

opinion that some of these

streams are torrents from the Galla country, while

others are the continuation of those southern rivers

which have

lately

been crossed by the slave-hunters

between the second and third degrees of N.

The White Nile

is

grand

river

latitude.

between the

Sobat junction and Khartoum, and after passing to

the south of the great affluent the difference in the
character

is

quickly perceived.

immense

the region of

flats

We now

enter

upon

and boundless marshes,

through which the river winds in a labyrinth-like

750 miles

course for about

Having
of

11

the
A.M.

left

Bahr
on

the Sobat,
Giraffe,

17th

to

we

Gondokoro.

arrived at the junction

thirty-eight

February.

miles distant,

Having turned

the river, I waited for the arrival of the

The
instead

Bahr Giraffe was to

of

the

original

which had become

of

be our

White

Nile.

at

into

fleet.

new passage
That

so curiously obstructed

river,

by masses

vegetation that had formed a solid dam, already

D 2

ISMAJLiA.

36
described by

in "

me

entirely neglected

[chap.

II.

The Albert N'yanza," had been

by the Egyptian

In

authorities.

consequence of this neglect an extraordinary change

had taken

The immense number

place.

down

islands which are constantly passing

the

of

White Nile had no

of floating

the stream

were

thus they

exit,

sucked under the original obstruction by the force of

the stream, which
channel,

passed through some mysterious

became

passage

subterranean

the

until

choked with a wondrous accumulation of vegetable

The

matter.

entire

river

became a marsh, beneath

which, by the great pressure of water,

stream

the

oozed through innumerable small channels.

In

fact,

the White Nile had disappeared.

from Khartoum

Gondokoro would

find,

in her passage to

passing through

after

bank

the

of

solid

natural

unknown
It

may

mass

dam

extent

had

the

river

completely

filter

muddy

particles

stream

was

all

strike

against

was

compressed vegetation
that

been

clear

this

formed

ceased to

to

an

exist.

readily be imagined that a dense spongy

which

act as

river of

bow would suddenly

water, that her

a broad

vessel arriving

impurities

thus,

as

arrived

suddenly
as

closed

it

the
at

water
the

checked,

oozed

the

and

would

river

charo-ed

dam where
it

w^ould

percolated

with
the

deposit

slowly

CHAP.

II.]

CHARACTER OF THE NILE OBSTRUCTIONS. 37

through the tangled but compressed mass of vegeThis

tation.

and

which

shoals,

bed of the

blocked the original

effectually

The reedy

river.

mud-banks

created

vegetation

the

of

immediately took root upon these favour-

country
able

quickly

deposit

and the rapid

conditions,

may

climate

in

a tropical

That which had been

imagined.

be

effect

the river bed was converted into a solid marsh.

This
for

or six years, therefore

five

even

or

ascertain

which

to

had

accumulation

terrible

was impossible

to

upon the distance

speculate

to

The

might extend.

it

it

been increasing

had

slave-traders

been obliged to seek another route, which they had

found vid the Bahr

to be

which river had proved

merely a branch of the White Nile, as

suggested

pendent
I

GirajQfe,

my

in

former work,

had heard

vessels

the
as

possibility

the

steamers
feet

vided with guides

acquainted
of

with

the

voyage frequently.

new

inde-

navigating

of

thirty-two
of

route, as I

Khartoum con-

of

length

who

trading

this

accounts in

conflicting

and a hundred

captains

and not an

river.

was rather anxious about

cerning

had

such

large

horse-power

deck.

was pro-

professed to be thoroughly
river

vessels,

these

people

who had

made

were
the

ISMAILIA.

38

On

II.

18 til February, at 10 a.m., the rear vessels of

arrived,

fleet

tlie

[chap.

and

11.40

at

steamers

the

a.m.

worked up against the strong current independently.

Towing was
the river.

The Bahr

in width,

and

ever

we had

One

afternoon

banks were high

to cut fuel

killed

pelicans,

Bahr

the

of

when-

excellent wild-fowl shooting

halted

and two

mouth

was about seventy yards

at this season the

we had had

codiles,

Giraffe

turns of

to the sharp

Throughout the voyage on the White

and dry.
Nile

owing

difficult,

hippopotamus, two cro-

with

Giraffe

ducks at a right and

left

steamers.

the

for

the

the

twentv-two

bao-ged

At

rifle.

shot with a No.

10-shot

gun.

As

the fleet

current

bank
the

the

of

with

hirge

season,

usual
Giraffe

the

slowly sailed against the strong

Bahr

Giraffe,

Lieutenant
francolin

junction,

first

the

only

flat

plain.

hill,

of

rising

shot

which,

partridge,

about

and

Baker,

but, bearing

flat,

walked along the

were very numerous

low granite
is

now

in

points

of

dry

this

The country was

due

south

twelve

miles

distant,
trees

is

low

hills

that

above

the

vast

prairie

the

bank

this

similar

As we were walking along

as

Bahr

the

of

partially covered with

four

ten

are

of

perceived

CHAP.

THE BAHB GIRAFFE.

II.

an

animal

ascending

hundred yards
drinking

the

where

it

when

it

The king of

mane.

had evidently been

fine lion

beasts,

cut

to

emerged from

suddenly

and discovered a

grass

about two

river,

we immediately endeavoured

retreat,

its

distant,

from

39

as

would not

usual,

my

journal

hills.

convey an exact idea of the Bahr

to

Giraffe.

The

river

nineteen

feet,

and

was very deep, averaging about

it

through a perfectly
with forest

fied

off in

be necessary to give a few extracts from

will

It

the

with large shaggy

stand to show fight in the open, but bounded

the dii'ection of the rocky

off

all

had the appearance

flowed in
flat

winding

course,

prairie,

diversi-

country of

of

which, although

of

being

flooded

now

dry,

during the

rainy season :-

''February 23.
Vast

with waterfowl

the

6 a.m.

marshes in wet season

treeless

through

Steamed from

say

fifty

last forest

is

now

7 p.m.

teeming

miles accomplished to-day

ever-windino*

the

till

inferior,

cient fuel for five hours left

river.

The

wood from

and we have only

sufii-

upon the steamer.

The

diahbeeah in tow carries about twenty hours' fuel

thus, should
five hours,

"

The

we not

we

river

shall

arrive at

some

forest in twenty-

be helpless.

was exceedingly narrow about

fifteen

ISMAIL'iA.

40
miles from

our

starting

stream was strong

usual

tangled

small

channels

navigation

point

and

but

morning.

this

flowing

but deep,

grass,

[chap.

divided

backwaters

Tiie

throiigli

into

the

numerous

render

that

II.

the

difficult.

" In this spot the river

quite banlc-full, and the

is

distance

the

scattered

native

swamps.

The innumerable high white

in

villages

are

in

ant-hills are

the only dry spots.

24.

''February

Started

up by mosquitoes.

eaten

smashed

her

at

a.m.

At

a.m.

paddle

starboard

Saw

occupied in repairing.

marshes

at

distance.

the

steamer

day

whole

the

Everybody

a bull elephant in the

Horrible

treeless

swamps

swarming with mosquitoes.

''February 25.
arrived

at

Started

completely choked by drift vege-

All hands

through
passed
obstacle
shall

obstruction

At

ahead.
;

worked hard

p.m.

to

until

we

clear a passage

2.30,

at a

arrived

the water very shallow

when

which there

swords

counted

to

seventy

be

is

and to-morrow we

deeper water.

in

the

grass,

ordered

sharpened for the work.

elephants

we

similar

have to cut a passage through the high

beneath
fifty

this

a.m.

narrow and shallow portion of

very

this chaotic river

tation.

At 10

7 a.m.

at

distance,

We
but

CHAP.

WATER-QR ASS RAFTS.

II.]

there

no

is

reaching them through

of

possibility

41

the immense area of floating vegetation.

^^

February

cutting

26.

Hard

150

about

canal

work with

at

yards

men

forty

through

long

the dense mass of compressed vegetation.

"February
fleet

Working

27.

has not arrived

"February

28.

having worked

The

are short-handed.

canal

It

well.

we

resembles sugar-canes

thus,

The grass

grows from twenty to

this

when matted

together,

and render the mass

increase,

of

collection

and throws out roots

thirty feet in length,

:

men

the

progresses,

a curious

is

The

canal.

at

that seriously impedes navigation.

trash

joint

thus

hard

at every

roots

its

complete

still

tangle.

During the wet season the rush of water tears

large rafts of this floating water-grass,

mulate in any favourable

clearing a passage
large
raft

mass with swords, a rope

is

men

difficulty of

is

made

fast,

and the

towed out by hauling with thirty or forty

until

stream.

which accu-

After cutting out

extreme.

is

The

locality.

off

it

is

Yesterday

and

detached
I

cut

above stream in the hope

floated

down

the

narrow channel from

that the

rush of

would loosen the mass of vegetation.

After

water

much

labour, at 12.30 p.m. the whole obstruction appeared

to

heave.

There

was soon no

doubt that

it

was


ISMAILIA.

42

and suddenly

moving,

Immense

and

We

men,

got up steam,

and

tion.

started

we

steamino;

the river

arrived

these will, I

down

the stream.

In

p.m.

the

all

lialf-an-hour's

another block

at

rush

the

vegeta-

of

and three-quarters we cleared

hour

the

have seen

river,

by

and almost immediately afterwards we

at

few

ii.

broke up.

served out grog to

at

arrived

one

In

a passage,

down

floated

cause an obstruction lower

fear,

dam

entire

masses were carried away

of water

"

the

[chap.

piece

first

This piece of firm

for days.

maximum

higher than the

feet

we

dry ground that

of

and afforded about half an

acre.

was

land
rise

of the

We

stopped

for the nio'ht.

"March

1.

narrowing

immediately,

we found

a mile
river,

Started

although

6.30

at

and

a.m.,

river

run of

after

the

half

The

ourselves caught in a trap.

fourteen

had

deep,

feet

entirely

disappeared in a boundless sea of high grass, which

resembled

sugar-canes.

of progress.

night

in

was

There

small

slave-traders,

about three months

box,

of

number

it

occupation by the

found marks of

were the remains

examined

and

rowing-boat,

lucifer-match

possibility

returned to our halting-place of last

thoroughly.

vestiges

no

old.

fires,

of

Among

a piece

the

of

cartridge cases

CHAP.

COMPLETELY STOPPED.

II.]

had

they

been

pierced with

fired

and

43

piece

raw hide

of

that had evidently been used

bullets,

as a target.

"

shot two geese and five plover, and returned

our

to

vessel.

My

opinion

made a

hunters have

that

is

razzia inland

the

from

slave-

this spot,

but that our guide, Bedawi, has led us into a wrong

channel.
" I attempted to seek a passage ahead, but

quite impossible

the

for

smallest

was

it

rowing boat to

penetrate the dense vegetation.

"

An

advance

steamer ,and two

being

impossible, I

diahbeeahs

ordered

the

down

the

return

to

about eighty miles to our old wooding-place

river

at the

forest,

last

as

we

nearly out of

are

We

thus lose time and trouble, but there

for

it.

For some days there has

is

shall

will

fleet

have no idea how the

take place, I

2.

At

6.30

and ran down stream

river.

in

the

P.M.

at

we passed on

At 3.30 sighted
distauoe.

we

a.m.

left

the

At 4.30

got under

eight miles an hour

wards our old wooding-place.

1

Unless a

be able to come up against the stream.

"March

At

no help

been no wind,

except uncertain breaths from the south.

change

fuel.

Saw

way
to-

a few buffaloes.

bank a branch of the

tall

wo

yards of the
nrrivod

at

fleet

the ex-

'

ISM ATLi A.

44

treme southern limit of the

[chap.

forest,

and met Raouf

Bey with the steamer and twenty-five

a good supply of wood.

by a

off

"

man had

crocodile while sitting

his leg's hancrino; over

March

3.

vessels,

The troops were

health, but one unfortunate

ti.

with

good

in

been carried

on the vessel with

the side.

wood from

up with

Filling

the

forest.

''March
tion of

4.

-Sent

Kutchuk

the steamer back to

dry

many

with

land

villages,

but

country has been pillaged by Kutchuk

All's people
off,

&c.

Raouf Bey counted the bodies of eighteen natives

who had been

terday

shot

went

near the

to

to our

boats

they

trader's

native

friends with the people,

village,

camp.

Yes-

and

made

some of whom came down

complained bitterly that they

were subject to pillage and massacre by the

These so-called traders are the people
Ali,

some

entire

the-

the natives murdered, the women carried

"

sta-

In this neighbourhood there

cattle for the troops.

is

to procure

the trader,

Ali,

the

the

officer

einployed

of the Soudan to

by

command

the
his

of

traders.

Kutchuk

governor-general
expedition

to the

Bahr Gazal
" Filled
to start

up with a

to-morrow.

large supply of

wood ready

CHAP.

VIOLENT CHARGE OF HIPPOPOTAMUS.

II.]

"March
"wind

for

5.

Great

the

vessels

Saw

a Baleniceps

sailing

rare birds that

"At

happened
I

was

started

were

steaming

on the

asleep

a.m.

easily,

when

suddenly awakened by a shock, succeeded

immediately by the cry, " The

ing "

from the

hippopotamus

and had

bottom,

ship's sink-

had charged the steamer

her starboard paddle.

off

poop-deck,

almost
!

at

All

the second of these

this is

we

as

be

to

days.

have seen.

P.M.,

north

fine

many

We

well.

Rex ;

fortune!

time during

first

tlie

good

45

smashed

several

few seconds

floats

later

he

charged our diahbeeah, and striking her bottom about

ten feet from

two holes through

the bow, he cut

the iron plates with his tusks.

to

as

lose,

There was no time

water was rushing in with great

the

Fortunately, in this land of marsh and float-

force.

ing grass, there were a few feet

ground
side,

of tolerably firm

rising from the deep water.

all

hands

cargo with

were

great

hard

rapidity,

Kunniug along-

work

at

and

baling

we

every conceivable utensil, until

discharging
out

with

obtained assist-

ance from the steamer, whose large hand-pump and

numerous buckets
rush of water, that
"

We now

at

length so

we couhl

far

overcame the

discover the leaks.

found two clean holes punched through

ISMAILIA.

46
the iron

though

as

[chap.

by a sharp

driven

pickaxe.

Some hours were occupied

in repairing the

by plastering white lead

upon some thick

was placed over the

this

by an upright

The

felt

they were secured

felt,

piece of timber tightened with

from a cross-beam.

damage

and, small pieces

holes,

of plank being laid over the

II.

wedges

leaks were thus effectually

and permanently stopped.

"

By

sunset

reloaded

but

all

v/as

completed

tendei-.

wood tender has sprung her yard

sail.

the

vessel

sent twenty-eight boxes of snider

ammunition on board the

not carry

and

The day was

This miserable
she can-

so that

entirely

lost together

with a fine north wind.

'"March

6.

Brisk wind from the north.

Started at

5.45 A.M., but at 7 a.m. something happened to the

engine,

and the steamer stopped

frequent stoppages,
the narrow river,

owing to

we

After

until eight.

the sharp

bends in

arrived at the spot where

had formerly opened the dam

there

the

we

current

ran like a rapid.

"

March

7.

Much

difficulty in

ascending the

but upon arrival at

the

dry

ground

we found

the

No.

'dubba'),

whole

fleet

that are in

assembled, with
sio-ht.

the

river,

(called

the

and

the

steamer

exception of

six

CHAP.

"

THE

II.]

March

8.

The

thus thirty-four

The

entire

CUL-DE-SAC.

other

country

vessels arrived

including

sail,

47

two

the

steamers.

swamp, covered

is

have

with

im-

mensely high water-grass, beneath which the depth

is

The reputed main channel

considerable.

river

is

supposed to come from S.W.,

this

of the

only

is

denoted by a stream three or four feet broad, con-

by high

cealed

like

form

choked by the

with fine

cabbages

human beard
dense

in places

These surface plants, which

Pistia Stratiotes.

semble floating

and

grass,

masses

of

which

are

useless,

as

thready roots,

inches

sixteen

re-

very

length,

in

to

difficult

clear.

"

Our guides

upon

are

their contradictory statements.

deplorable position

the whole

the river has disappeared

no wood, and there

is

fleet in

We

are in

a cul-de-sac

a
;

an unknown distance of

marsh

apparently boundless
is

we cannot depend

lies

before

us

there

no possibility of moving

without cuttinof a channel.

"

have

single

"

file,

March

much

ordered thirty vessels to form

and
9.

to cut

The

fear they will

line,

a canal.

men worked

famously,

be laid up with fever

at such an unhealthy task.

men

in

To-day a

cut about a mile and a half.

force

They

but
if

kept

of 700

are obliged

ISMAILJA.

48

[chap.

swords and knives, and then

to slash through with

to pull out the greater portion of the grass

trash

table

took

artificial

floating surface of vegeta-

a very narrow stream,

which

gave hopes of

labour for to-morrow.

the steamer through.

Thirty-two

the sick

10.

an hour, when

We

shall therefore try to force

it

of about five miles.

"March

11.

which

in

"It
entire

is

to

the

fever.

All

swamp.

have to cut a

Hard work throughout

soldier died of sunstroke.

a curious but

most painful

White Nile has ceased

of

a distance

the

in

push

No ground

bury him.

The boundless
rafts

We

lost.

to

morass.

stinking

muddy pond

passage through the morass.

One

fleet for

had a touch of

altogether

is

was able

so that I

Fris^htful

stopped at a black

the day.

reported on

suddenly chopped round to the S.E.

cut on far ahead,

river

men

north wind for about half

fine

on the steamers and the whole

The

lighter

this eveninof.

list

"March

banks on

found

small brook,

like

and vege-

boat and pushed on for a

small

mile and a half.

like

piled

is

upon the thick

either side
tion.

this

ii.

plains of

fact that the

to be a navigable river.

marsh are formed of

floating

vegetation compressed into firm masses by

pressure

of

water during

floods.

So serious

CHAP.

is

CUTTING THROUGH MARSH.

II.]

obstacle

tliis

navigation, that

to

49

unless

new

channel can be discovered, or the original Nile be

reopened,

the

centre

Africa

of

will

shut out from communication, and

my

projects

impediment.

this extraordinary

''March

12.

the fringe of

border

tall

think

papyrus rush that should be the

The wind

Many men

are

sick

clearing

a channel

This

the

is

''March
firm marsh,

by long

13.

is

but this

dead

S.W.,

is

owing

the

to

through the

Mohammedan

therefore there

can trace by telescope

White Nile

the

of

delusion.

"

entirely-

the improvement of the country will be ruined

for

by

all

be

little

Measured

through

of

a
us.

of

marsh.

Hadj,

the

to-day.

460 yards of apparently

which we plumbed the depth

poles thrust to the bottom.

entire

which

work

daily

Flowing water being found beneath,

the

be

against

poisonous

festival

work

may

force

myself

to

turn

out

ordered

and cut a channel,

superintended

in

the

advance

boat.

"By

6 P.M. the canal

was completed, and the wind

having come round to the north, we sailed through

the

channel and entered a fine lake about half a

mile wide, followed by the whole

and drums sounding

VOL.

I.

fleet

with bugles

the advance, the troops vainly

ISMA I LIA.

50

work was

hoping that their

are about a mile behind,

paddles to

towed

[chap.

through

high

the

have ordered their

dismounted to

be

The steamers

over.

and

II.

them

enable

narrow

the

in

grass

be

to

channel.

"March

14.

At

A.M.

and surveyed

started

the lake in a small rowing boat, and found

it

entirely

shut in and separated from another small lake by

a

mass

of

yards in width.
in

fifty-five

lake, I found, to
it

called all hands,

to

and cleared

Upon an examination

my

it

fleet

of the next

intense disappointment, that not

closed in, but there

was no

outlet visible

Not a drop

even from the mast-head.

was

eighty

minutes sufficiently to allow the

to pass through.

only was

about

dense rotten vegetation

be seen ahead, and the entire

a perfect chaos, where the spirit of

of

water

country was

God apparently

had not yet moved upon the waters.

There was

neither earth nor clear water, nor any solid resting

place for a
bittern

rose

water-rails,

human
from
there

Now

foot.

the

and then a

marsh, but, beyond

were no other

was swarming with snakes, and

ants that attacked the men,

birds.

also

solitary

a few

The grass

with poisonous

and greatly

interfered

with the work.

**

It is easier to clear a

passage through the green

CHAP.

THE PROLYFTERUS.

II.]

through

than

grass

the

rotten

51

The

vegetation.

former can be rolled in heaps so as to form banks,

it

is

then secured by tying

growing behind
ence,

to

the strong grass

the rotten stuff has no adher-

and a channel

up almost

closes

as fust

as

it

made, thus our labour does no permanent good.

is

it

it

am

anxiety about Mr. Higginbotham

in great

will be impossible for

should he

arrive with a

and heavily-laden

"As

him

to proceed

closes

so

up

they are

channels, as

to-day a

great hunt for

hands

have

in

more

they are not so

Egyptians, but

their

rapidly,

must wait

a compact

line

than

the

fleet.

The black troops

covered

route,

comparatively small force

until the steamers can close

"

this

it

vessels.

the channel

with the

by

bad

muddy

fish,

spirit

useful

swimmers.

in

clearing

They

dis-

had a

spot where they

and succeeded in capturing with

about

pounds

500

weight

of

the

Prolypterus, some of which were above four pounds.

We

caught for ourselves a number of very delicious

boulti

(Ferca Nilotica) with a casting-net.

''March
long

poles,

15.
I

Having
found

probed

deep

water

the

mar.sh

beneath,

denoted the course of the sub-vegetal stream.

with

which
All

hands at work, and by the evening we had cut a

E 2

ISMAILIA.

52

[chap.

The marsh swarms

channel 800 yards in length.

managed

with snakes, one of which

window

cabin

now

up and

break

longer open

of

alteration

which

in

jammed

portion

their

which the steamers

There

much work

is

keep the entire

fleet in

compact

send back the wood tender,

with a

he

be

impossible

for

Many

south

him

men

of the

horrible

country

of

to

stop Mr.

to

letter

if

the

made.

from

Higginbotham

Sobat, as

be

will

it

next season.

are sick with fever,

continue,

push

possible,

proceed until

should

is

it

to

will be to

line so as to

through a new channel as quickly as

should

required

The only chance of progress

clear them.

this spot

no

is

as though frozen in an ice-drift in the

Arctic regions!

shall

them

I left

the

of

become a dense mass

water, but has

of compressed vegetable rafts, in

are

steamers,

have become choked by a general

The small lake

world.

the

enter

to

The two

of the diahbeeah.

far astern,

ii.

and

they

this

if

will

all

sicken.

"March

16.

went back

in a rowing boat, ac-

companied by Lieutenant Baker, to the two steamers,

which we found stuck

fast

had closed in upon them.

are

dispirited

worked

all

and they

day,

we

in the drift rafts, that

Many men
worked

returned at

are sick

badly.

6.30 p.m.

all

Having
to

my

CHAP.

LAKES AND MARSHES.

II.]

53

good fortune to shoot seven

diahbeeah, having the

ducks by a family shot upon a

mud bank

on the

way home.
" I found that the main body under the colonel,

Eaouf Bey, had completed the channel about 900

yards long to

No.

lake

made immediately, and

as the channel

we found
"

after five hours'

at 11.45

lake

sail to

be

hard work,

to

close,

in

p.m.,

we

which

the fleet at anchor.

March

varies from

1 7.

The lake

is

about 2^ miles long, and

150 to 300 yards in width, with a mean

depth of ten

by a small dam,

sent

feet.

to explore the exit

lake.

ordered

was already beginning

the open

arrived in

3.

they

men ahead

now

report

which we

after

in the boat

it

shall

to be closed

enter another

Thunder and clouds threatening

in the south-

east.

"

About half an hour before sunset

observecf

the head of a hippopotamus emerge from the bank

of

high

gi'ass

that

thus

had no meat
of

fringed

the lake.

would not

My

troops

lose the opportunity

procuring, if possible, a supply of hippopotamus

took

Reilly

No.

breechloader,

and

beef.

started

in

beeah.

Having paddled quietly along the edge of

the

little

dingy belonging to the diah-

the grass for a couple

of huiulicd

yards,

arrived

ISMAILIA.

54
near the

[CHAP.

hippopotamus had

from whicli the

spot

11.

emer2;ed.

"It

marsh

these

of the hippopotami in

the general habit

is

districts to lie in the

high grass swamps

duriog the day, and to swim or amuse themselves

in the open water at sunset.

"

had not waited [long before

and

perceived the hippopotamus had risen to the

surface about fifty

yards [from me.

was

too

great

reach

the

little

necessary to
shot

some movement.

animal

to

ordered

the

had

he

the

potamus appeared
boat,

which

when

the
is

allowed the

immediately

remain exactly over

sunk.

great ugly head

about

firing

which there

therefore

boat forward, to

where

accurate

boat, in

disappear, after

when

elapsed,

the

for

must be taken from a

s|)ot

This distance

brain, especially

always

the

heard a snort,

thirty

few minutes
hippo-

the

of

from

paces

and having blown the water from

the

his nostrils,

and snorted loudly, he turned round and seemed

astonished to

him.
quiet,

find the

Telling
so

as

below the

to

eye,

the

two

allow a

and

contained a bursting
fine-grained

solitary little boat

powder.

boatmen
good

fired

charge

The

to

sight,

heavy

sit

near

so

perfectly

aimed just

shell,

which

of three drachms

head

disappeared.

of

CHAP.

EXPLOSIVE SHELL.

II.]

little

smoke Imng over the water, and

observe other

the body

for

lasted

18.

an

for

became dark.

it

heavy shower of rain

and

hour

after

with a boathook, I

returned to the diahbeeah just as

March

could not

The lake was deep, and

effects.

vainly sounding

^^

55

When

a half

which

fell,

the

rain

ceased, the

day continued cloudy with variable wind.

The body

of

daybreak

floating

the hippopotamus was

near

us,

discovered at

therefore

hands

all

turned out to cut him up, delighted at the idea of

There was about an acre of hioh and

fresh meat.

dry ground that bordered the marsh in one spot

the hippopotamus was towed.

to this the carcase of

I

was anxious

to observe the effects of the explosive

was an invention of

shell,

as

been

manufactured

of

it

London.

covered
bottle

This

with

lead.

(similar

in

water bottle)

by a leaden
a No.

8,

tained three

The
shape

The

coating,

or

was

shell

the

Eeilly,

had

gunmaker,

composed

interior

to

that

of

was a

iron,

cast-iron

stoneware

Seltzer

the neck formed a nipple to receive

a percussion-cap.

fit

by Mr.

my own

which was

two ounce

drachms

was concealed

entire bottle

rifle.

of

and a simple cap pressed

cast in a

The

mould

to

iron bottle con-

the strongest gunpowder,

down

prepared the shell for service.

upon the nipple

ISMAILIA.

56
"

On an examination

potamus,

of the head of

found that the

[chap.

in the

brain,

as

had entirely carried away the

it

the back

The velocity

of the projectile

ments of the

shell

onwards

of

the skull.

had carried the

frag-

after the explosion,

and

tunnel which was blackened

of

sort

It

thin.

is

and had apparently exploded

skull,

massive bone that formed

had formed a

the hippo-

had struck exactly

shell

beneath the eye, where the bone plate

had traversed the

II.

with burnt powder for a considerable distance along

the flesh of the neck.

my
"

the

was quite

with

satisfied

explosive shell.

The hippopotamus having been divided among

men,

assist

the

same

spot.

"At

sent

Eaouf Bey with a large

steamers, which

2 P.M.

Everything

it

remain fixed in the

still

poured with

soaking

is

and

force to

rain

until

have great

p.m.

anxiety

about our large stores of corn.

"March
are wet.

19.

Fine

day, but

The miserable

Avithout decks, thus one

damage.
&c.

Two

The men

cargo, stores, &c.,

vessels of the

heavy shower

are busy

soldiers died.

all

drying

Soudan

creates

are

much

their clothes,

Steamers far astern in the

sudd, regularly fixed.

''March

20.

boy

died.

sent fresh

men

to

m
ilii

'iiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiniMiii

'III

i'T,^ //'''/
i\

\\\

',

t'

//

/III/ tti

i\l

iif'/'

II.]

the

assistance

dug

literally

''March

21.

Yesterday

the

floating

the

they

digging

by

something struggling

felt

They immediately scrambled

feet.

way through

the tangled mass

broke
it

its

had been jammed and held prisoner by

The black

soldiers,

armed with swords

immediately attacked the crocodile,

bill-hooks,

who,

men were

head of a croco-

rafts.

and

as the

in time to avoid the large

which

in

have to be

which had become jammed

rafts,

their

that

dile

57

out.

the steamers,

beneath

BAFTS.

steamers, which

the

of

out

away

JAMMED BETWEEN

CROCODILE

CHAP.

although

imprisonment, had not

from

freed

Humane

exactly fallen into the hands of the Royal

He

Society.

evening his

was

quickly

despatched,

and that

gladdened the cooking-pots of the

flesh

Soudani regiment.

"I was amused with the account of

ture given

One
of

by various

stated in reply to

the

exaggerate,

but

to be at

examination

least
I

sir,

tail

"

twenty

came

to

adven-

eye-witnesses.

question as to the length

I

should say

long from snout to

it

my

" Well,

animal,

who were

officers

this

it

should

not

like

Avas forty-five

to

feet

Another witness declared

feet

the

but by rigid cross-

conclusion

that

it

did

not exceed ten.

" The steamers and tender having been released,

ISMAIL! A.

58

At

arrived this morning.

light

from the

air

dimensions

of

arrived

at

cleared

for

we were

about

"

sixty

introduced

through

flowing

the

to

length

at

Having

deep

till

had

advance boats

yards.

to

We

river.

sudd which the

narrow channel

mous

which narrowed

emerged,

extremely

but

usual

the

enor-

grass.

The whole

ranged in single line to widen

fleet

We

the passage.

now about

are

twelve miles from

the dubba, or raised dry ground, near to which

commenced

first

away about

six

We

clearing.

miles

of

have

No

vegetation.

We

place answers to their descriptions.

been hard at work

men,

depend-

plored

and

is

my

force

is

Cleared

despairing.
in

small

a succession

patches of water.

numbers of

now

only

ahead

country

no

days with a thousand

''March 22. Wind S.W.foul.

lazy

have

which time we have travelled

during

twelve miles

for thirteen

we
cut

actually

ence whatever can be placed upon the guides

all

II.

with

started

and travelled

north-east,

moderate

we

p.m.

along the lake,

3.30 P.M.

[chap.

of

The work

my men

are laid

boat.

sudds

The people
a

sudd.

As

usual,

are

exthe

and small open

is frightful,

down with

and great

fever

thus

physically diminished daily, while morally

CHAP.

GENERAL SICKNESS.

II.]

men

the

there

Another

are lieart-broken.

swamp and

world of

soldier died

We

dry spot to bury him.

no

is

5^
but
in

Lieutenant Baker shot

slush.

This day

a Baleniceps Rex.

live

we opened about 600

yards.

March

'^

We

23.

employed

in

channel.

The

tugging

The Soudanis

them

of
I

serve

The
they

are

the

Egyptians

ill,

fanatical

by

have

through

quite

the
heart.

lost
;

none

and they work with a good

will.

of

glass

to

fever

the

chill

throughout the day in

''March 24. Wind

as soldiers

grog in the

not

will

fellahs

succumb

vessels

more valuable

are far

them out a

exhausted

have been throughout the day

and

touch

evening.

spirits,

when

nervousness

occasioned

mud and

by

thus

working

water.

from the S.W.

All

the vessels assembled last evening in a small

lake.

Before us there
closed in

by

as usual

vegetation.

traders' parties

ago.

is

fresh

simply a narrow stream

observed marks of the

having broken through a few months

These people travel without merchandize, but

w4th a large force of

men

light draught of water.

thus their vessels are of

My

steamers and

the boats require four feet six inches.

is

Every

heavily laden, thus they are difficult to

unless in open and

deep water.

many

of

vessel

manage

ISMAIL!A.

60
" There
miles

is

[cuAP. n.

to-day a forest on the east, about two

beyond

distant,

swamp.

the

work we made about 1,400

day's

''March

25.

helped

This

us

narrow

the

high grass.

Wind

Another

about

hemmed

channel,

soldier

died.

Egyptian

is

they

is

troops

much

fearful

perience.
less

through

by

thick

and

As

usual,

this

men came

These

from Cairo with their guns, and not being

acclimatized,

there

mile

a
in

poor fellow was an artilleryman.

direct

yards.

and fresh from the N.E.

fair

make

to

hard

After a

cannot
give

in

resist

and

allowance to be

the

but

lose

all

heart

made

for

them, as

my

country, and far beyond

There

The

fever.
;

it

worst ex-

no apparent break to the bound-

is

marsh before and behind

about fifteen

us, this is

miles wide, as forest trees and the

tall

dolape palms

can sometimes be distinguished upon the horizon.

"

What

the unfortunate

cannot conceive, as there

is

Higginbotham
no

will

possibility of

do

commu-

nicating with him, and he will get into the rainy

season.

"

Another

excellent

soldier

man,

arsenal at Cairo.

was a

died this evening

he was an

who had been employed

at

the

His friend and bosom companion

fellow- workman,

and he was

so

grieved

at

the loss that he declared he should not live beyond

CHAP.

FEVER AND DEATHS.

II.]

61

There was no dry ground in which

a few days.

to dig a grave

was therefore necessary

it

to cut a

hole in the base of a white ant-hill, as these Babel-

were the only dry spots that rose above

like towers

the flood.
" This

doctor

assists

of

them

within

sixth

one

boy.

in departing

suddenly when

very

die

the

is

exclusive

days,

they

death

the

think our black

from
he

is

which

in this climate.

usually

fatal

this life,

very fond of

as

them.

attends

Like Dr. Sangrado, he

is

few

last

the lancet,

made

Vie

about half a mile to-day.

"3Iarch
is

26.Wind

fresh

The ditch

from the S.E.

completely blocked up with vegetation

made only 250

yards.

along which

is

we
the

is

a dark

which marks the course of the ditch through

streak

which we slowly

clear a passage.

or

months we may require

is

a problem.

the sick

my own

list

to reach the

One hundred and

nearly

all

of

How many

them

fifty

all

days

White Nile

men

are

down

diahbeeah six soldiers out of ten are

sailors.

on

Upon

are fellahs.

with fever, in addition to two of the

them

thus

Before us, as usual,

sea of high grass,

hopeless

gave

a severe shock with the magnetic battery,

which

appeared

fellow,

who

liad

to

have a

wonderful

effect

one

been groaning with severe pains in

ISMAIL!A.

62

ii.

back and limbs, declaring that he was instantly

his

relieved.

man
of

[chap.

"

yards.

There

who

with the Dutch-

shot

Baleniceps Rex, at a distance of upwards

at a

200

made a good

is

no

by night

rest

or

day

for our people,

upon by clouds of mosquitoes, which

are preyed

attack like bull-dogs.

"March

27.

Wind

the ditch.

and the whole

men

hands hard at work clearing

S.E.

fresh.

the way, followed

leads

usual,

All

in

fleet

close

from headache

suffer

the

absurd covering,

The

diahbeeah,

by No. 10

steamer,

Most of the

line.

this

owing

is

the

to

or tarboosh, which

fez,

as

no

is

protection against the sun.

" In the evening I took a small boat,

and

in forty-

one minutes' poling and tugging through the narrow

channel,

succeeded

reaching

in

long

narrow

lake resembling a river, about 110 yards wide.

mouth

of our effluent was, for a wonder,

obstruction

returned

clear

with the joyful

The
from

news

to

the fleet after sunset.

"March

28.

At

7.30 a.m. all hands turned out

to clear the channel to

500 yards

long,

and

the
the

lake

this

diahbeeah,

way, entered the lake at 11.30 a.m.

was about
leading

the

Unfortunately

a shallow channel near the entrance prevented the

CHAP.

SIG^\S

II.]

steamers from

dug

from

the

south.

wind has deserted us

am

for the

" Having entered the hike,

and

ahead

a half

my

in

bank

east

this

The wind
the

afraid

went about a mile

diahbeeah, and anchored

was a good sign of

but there was no dry

north

season.

being about a mile distant

forest

be

and shallow portion of the

for the night in a broad

water,

passage had to

thus a

entering,

63

tough clay beneath them.

in the

strong

OF TERRA FIRM A.

on the

terra Jirma,

upon which we could

sj)ot

land,

"

The

river

winds to the

The

turns to the west.

S.E.,

and apparently then

through which we

effluent

joined this lake or river meets

it

at

right

and the

river continues its course to the

though

it

were

main

the

angles,

N.N.W., as

channel of a far more

important stream than the horrible ditch by which

we
it

The

arrived.

me

however, assures

blocked up, and loses

is

and

guide,

itself in

that

boundless grass

reeds.

" In the

evening

spied

a hippopotamus

which

bad just come out of the high grass into the open
river.

It

snorted loudly at

the

strange sight

the handsomely-painted diahbeeah.

and upon
to

my

near approach

swim towards

us

it

angrily.

was

of

took the boat,

foolish

shot

enough

from

the

ISMAILIA.

64
No.

Reilly

with

8,

one

[chap.

my

of

explosive

II.

shells,

created a lively dance, as the hippopotamus received

Rolling over and over,

the message under the eye.

with the legs frequently in the

difficult

waves

raised

made

and

boat

little

but upon a close

shooting

approach, taking good

keep out of reach of

care to
it

my

rocked

that

air, it

struggles,

its

gave

a quietus with a hardened spherical ball from the

same

By

which

rifle,

passed

through the head.

right

sounding with the long boat-hook,

body

My

bottom in

the

at

captain

excellent

about ten
the

of

diahbeeah,

the hippopotamus by a rope.

view

capital

water.

Faddul-

AVe towed

the diahbeeah, from the deck of which

had a

of

feet

bottom, and secured the leg

Moolah, dived to the

of

found the

of

the

My

feast for the people.

sport.

my

This

explosive shell

is

it

to

wife had
is

a fine

frightful

in its efiects.

"

March

steamer

is

29.

Wind

strong from the south

not yet out of

My men

difficulty.

busy cutting up the hippopotamus.

the
are

sent off the

iron boat with three quarters of the animal to the

troops

away

During the night a

astern.
all

the

The weather
and the

offal
is

crocodile took

from the stern of the diahbeeah.

much

cooler,

clear space in

owing

to the south

wind

which we are now anchored.

CHAP.

DRY LAND APPEARS.

II.]

March

"

30.

The

We

takeable.

river

now

and unmis-

clear

by poling

travelled al)out ten miles

work that we have made

this is the best day's

we entered

is

65

this chaotic

my

came on board

since

Lieutenant Baker

region.

brought up

diahbeeah, having

the steamers.

"The country began

a few miles'

forest at

and

bank of the

left

river

although

with

hopeful.

the right

The

river betokened dry land.

actual

honest

banks,

which

only a few inches above the

water were

The

plain

was covered

the

ground was

boundaries.

positive

more

on both

distance

between

flowed

to look

white

large

evidently

firm

flat

ant-hills,

the

in

and

we

distance, as

could dis-

tinguish a herd of antelopes.

"

As we were

quietly poling the diahbeeah against

the sluggish stream,

about 400

yards,

of the river.

at a distance of
close to the

the

diahbeeah,

until

of

two men.
clumps

several

by

two

take
VOL.

;i

appeared to

be

accordingly stopped

accompanied

by

Lieutenant

llic

fortunate bend of

of

liigli

the river,

rushes, concealed

tlie

and
boat

sudden luni wo came within sixty yards

bull

I.

and,

buffaloes that,

approached them in the small boat, rowed

Ijaker, I
ly

bank

we observed wild

buffaloes.

first

shot,

Having

told

Mr. Baker to

he sent a spherical

No.

ISMAIL! A.

66,

[chap.

through the shoulder of the nearest

a few plunges,
shot,

dashed

shell

from

off;

my

The

dead.

fell

about

off

other, startled at the

and a shot from

in the flank,

the left-hand barrel in the

he went

With

rear.

hundred

three

down, as we thought,

which, after

same time he received a

at the

rifle

bull,

ii.

to

him from behind the white

and lay

paces,

intended to stalk

die.

these shots

ant-hills,

my

but

sailors,

in intense excitement, rushed forward, supposing that

his beef

was

and cantered

again rose
^'

March

31.

and although badly

off till lost in

As we proceeded,

and the whole

night,

river

is

now about

fleet

is

fifty

the banks became

coming up

the water

shallow in some of the bends, and

great

difficulty

in

getting

is

of iron, although roomy,

is

I fear

have

fifty-one

known

from the south.

days

so miserable

is

am
very

there will

the

diahbeeah, which

exceedingly light, and

only requires two feet three inches of

have been

the

astern.

through with

My

steamers and heavy vessels.

he

high rushes.

yards wide, but

getting nervous about the depth

be

hit,

The two steamers had arrived during

drier.

The

their own,

w\ater.

from Khartoum.
a voyage.

Wind

^Wo
Neverfresh

HAPTEK

III.

THE RETREAT.

^'

April

1.

All

want of water
with

advance

the

vessels

This

arc

terrible.

is

stuck
I

went on

ray diahbeeah, accompanied

Baker, for about three miles to explore.

this
feet,

distance

greatest

depth

was

the diahbeeah,
inches,

was

by Mr.

Throughout
about four

At

which drew only two

feet

aground

fast

in

feet.

and the average was under three

length
three

the

for

fast

This

was

at

point where two raised mounds, or dubbas, were on

opposite sides of the river.

with Mr. Baker,

explored

I left

in the

about two miles in advance.

the vessel, and,

rowing boat

After the

first

the boat grounded in about six inches of water

firm

sand.

short

separate

The

space,

river,

was

channels,

all

after

mile,

upon

having deepened for

suddenly
of

for

divided

into

which were too

for the passage of the diahbeeah,

three

shallow

and two were even

F 2

ISMAIL!A.

68

[chap. hi.

The boatmen

too shallow to admit the small boat.

jumped

out,

and we hauled her

we reached

until

up

shallows

the

main stream, above the three

the

channels, which ran from the S.S.E., but having no

mean depth than about two

greater

We

"

with

continued for some distance up the stream

the

same

unfortunate

and

Having

a
left

The banks,

results.

during the wet season, were

although flooded
dry,

feet six inclies.

forest

was

about

mile

the boat and ascended

now

distant.

white ant-

about eight feet high, in order to take a view

hill,

of the country, I observed a herd of very beautiful

antelopes,

of

kind

that

were

unknown

quite

to me.

"

By

careful stalking

140 yards, and

therefore

killed.
I

it

found

reddish yellow,

black
It

it

diflicult

clean.

to

distinguish

Avas delighted with

was a female, weighing,

about twenty stone,

The hide was a deep

from the hind qunrtors down

species

my

should estimate,

with black shoulders and

belonged to the

about

Both male and female have

the sex at that distance.

prize

plain from one

flat

to another, I obtained a fair shot at

ant-hill

horns,

on the

tlic

legs,

In'nd

Hipijotragus,

also
legs.

and had

horns that curved backwards, something similar to

the Ilippotragus Nujer, but

much

shorter.

cuAP.

NEW

III.]

"Wc

soon cut
This

the boat.

me

but

floating the

voyage,

the

it

to

happy excitement

the

we

beeah quite disheartened.

continue

and carried

success in sport had cheered

little

quickly passed away, and

to

(39

into quarters,

it

moment

the

for

ANTELOPE.

returned to the

It

simply impossible

is

there

as

diali-

no means of

is

vessels.

" To-morrow

shall

explore the

channel No.

3,

which runs from the W.S.W.

" April
is

explored the west channel.

This

very narrow, and overgrown with grass.

After

about

two

2.

a mile

we

deep.

feet

arrived at a shallow

Tiie

whole river

absolutely im-

is

During the

practicable at this season.

only

place

and

rains,

even to the end of December, when the river

full,

the vessels

my

All

utterly

have

could pass,

laljour

has

absurd

to

been

at

useless,

no

but

attempt a further

determined

therefore

l)ut

to

other time.

would be

-it

advance.

once

to

return

at

the Shillook country, and establish a station.

and

Higginljotham

and

and

start

of

Khartoum,

force from

entire

with the expedition complete in the end

November.

appointed,
course.

Mr.

party will then unite with us,

collect the

will

is

am

am

Although

convinced

that this

During the rainy season

grievously

the

is

dis-

the wisest

troo})s

shall

ISMAILIA.

70
corn,

cultivate

Nile

old

explore the

shall

and endeavour

steamer,

in

and

[chap.

White

discover

to

III.

navigable channel vid the original route by the Bahr

Gazal.
" I

obliged Avith a heavy heart to give the

Avas

sad order to turn back

assembled
"

summoned

the officers, and in the presence

all

explained

the

the officers and

men

had

little

make arrangements
would enable me
I

However,

sympathy.

the

for

kept these intentions to

them with
''April
three

my
3.

wife and

Washed

soldiers,

thus

thus

determined to

following season

cut through

to

idea

would take them

Khartoum, and terminate the expedition

to

The

necessity.

beino- delighted at the

of a retreat which they imagined

arrived at the

immediately commenced the return voyage,

vessels
nil

we

fleet.

Eaouf Bey

of

at 3 p.m.

myself,

every
or

that

difficulty.

only shared

Lieutenant Baker.
decks

reducing

early,

the

and sent
escort

on

off*

the

diahbeeah to seven men.

"

The

entire fleet

and stream

in

was

favour.

in full retreat

with wind

would not allow the diah-

beeah that had always led the advance to accom-

pany them
to

in the retreat

push on ahead.

therefore I allowed

them

WHITE-ANT-HILLS.

CFiAP. 111.]

A
" A
"

stuck

shower of rain

to-day

fell

also yesterday.

few minutes after starting, both the steamers

As

fast.

diahbeeah,

was

the poop

walking

noticed with the telescope an

summit

on the

standing

an

of

There

delightful as a little sport if

you

taking

the

the

about a

no change so

is

are in

low

up the

rowed

rifle,

of

antelope

ant-hill

mile and a quarter distant.

thus,

71

spirits

river

for

about half a mile in the small boat, and then landing, I

obtained the right wind.

and

it

would have been quite impossible, had

it

not been for the innumerable

ants

and the

countries,

directs their architecture

construction

is

to a height far above the

surface -soil

swallowed

mixed

These

them

the

as

the

ant-hills

insect

and

while

are yellow,

earth

thus

it

first

is

becomes

albuminous matter which

cement that

hills

in their

up from a con-

The

black.

is

some

into

it

high in the
seen

by

with

The earth used

the subsoil, brought

siderable depth,

rain.

the white

intelligence of the insects

level of the highest floods.

verts

of

hills

these are the distinguishable features of these

swampy

the

was exceedingly

approach game in these extensive treeless

difficult to
flats,

It

resists

con-

the action

were generally about eight

swampy

districts,

above ten

feet.

but

The

of
feet

have frequently
antelopes

make

ISMAIL! A.

72

[chap. hi.

use of such ant-hills as they can ascend

which

towers, from

they can observe

lofty position

an enemy at a great distance.

watch

as

the custom of

It is

several varieties to place sentries while the herd

and upon

grazing,

was alone
where

neighbourhood.

if

On

this occasion I re-

watchman.

to stalk the

possible,

herd was some-

have noticed that the

sentries are generally bulls.

solved,

although the sentry

this occasion,

visible, I felt sure that the

in his

shooting with a very accurate express

my

bore of Purdey's, belonging to

Kerrison,

who had

weapon when
low,

kindly lent

I left

it

as

it

rifle,

a No. 70

friend. Sir

to

me

was

Edward

as a favourite

The grass was very

England.

and quite green,

is

had been

wandering natives some time since

fired

thus,

by the

in places

there were patches of the tall withered herbage that

had been only

unripe

partially

consumed by the

these patches were an

assistance

fire

while

in

stalk-

ing.

" It was, of course, necessary to keep several tall

ant-hills in a line

with that upon which the antelope

was standing, and

to stoop so

see the horns of

some places
ground

this

it

low that

could only

the animal upon the sky-line.

was

necessary

to

crawl upon

In
the

was trying work, on account of the

sharp stumps of the l)urnt lierbage which punished

CHAP.

STALKING THE SENTRY.

III.]

the hands and knees.

the recent
it

fire

was

The

fine

charcoal dust from

also a trouble, as the

was about eighteen inches above the

the height of the annual floods
large water helix,

the

wind blew

The water-mark upon the

into the eyes.

of

73

base,

ant-hills

proving

and a vast number

of a man's

the size

fist,

lay scattered over the ground, destroyed and partially

by the

calcined

late prairie fire.

"The sun was very

and

hot,

found crawling

operation

so great a distance a laborious

my

eyes

were nearly blinded with perspiration and charcoal

dust

my

now and

but every

head,

then, as I carefully raised

could distinguish the horns of the antelope

At length

in the original position.

arrived at the

base of the last ant-hill from which I must take

my

shot.

"There were a few

on the summit
toes

firmly

liill,

to these

of low scrub

growing

cUmbed, and digging

my

an inequality in the side of the

into

planted

tufts

my

elbows well on the surface,

my

cap being concealed by the small bushes and tufts

of withered grass.

Tlie antelope

sciously about 170 yards,

or, as

was standing unconI

then considered,

about 180 yards from me, perfectly motionless, and

much resembling

a figure fixed upon a pedestal.

broadside was exposed, thus

it

The

would have been im-

74

ISMAIL! A.

possible to have liad a

more perfect opportunity

Having waited

long stalk.

[criAP. in.

Almost as

shoulder.

his

my

remained

position

it

of

ant-hill,

the

dead.

had

little

knees,

its

down

rolled

paces.

had broken the

as the bullet

very beautiful animal, a fine

on

which

in

in front of the shoulder-blade.

that I had killed

the

to the base,

169

exact distance,

fired rather high,

aimed at

some seconds on the summit

and then

stepped the

spine a
ti

for

eyes, I

touched the trigger,

sank suddenly upon

antelope

minute or

in position for a

two, to become cool and to clear

after a

bull, of the

It

was

same kind

This antelope was

1st April.

about thirteen hands high at the shoulder, the head

long, the face

the

and

body bright

fifteen inches in

iind

with a stripe of black about

bay,

width extending obliquely across the

down both

shoulder,

the

fore

of

and the hind

legs,

was

with

The

meeting at the rump.

tuft

head;

ears black, also the top of the

tail

long,

The

long black hair at the extremity.

horns were deeply annulated, and curved backwards

towards the shoulders.

" This was a very large animal, that would have

weighed

quite

thirty

stone

when

boatman, who had been watching the

diately despatched a

beeah.

man

My

gralloched.
sport,

imme-

for assistance to the diah-

enjoyed the beauty of

this

animal

the

Cl^^^

CHAP.

DEATH OF THE ARTILLERYMAN.

III.]

hide

glistened

the

like

well-groomed

of

coat

75

liorse.
'

did not reach the diahbeeah until 6 p.m.

started without delay, and

then

reached the

which

we

had

previously

fleet

ditch through

midnight, at the junction of the

at

we

arrived

at

main

the

river.

''April

4.

The

difficulty over

" Ajyril

we

are

with great

passing

the shallow entrance of the ditch.

All the vessels have passed.

5.

succeeded,

last of the

vessels

much

after

labour,

At

6 p.m.

the

getting

in

This accomplished, and

steamers through.

having the stream in our favour, we passed along

compact

in

the ditch that

about a mile

and

we had opened being

clear

line

for

half,

and

in

<rood order.

''April

6.

Another

This poor

soldier died.

man

was the companion of him who, a few days ago,

prophesied

his

own end when he

Curiously enough,

he

as

his

friend.

he was passing the

where his friend was buried, and we had to

5;pot

bury him in the same

are

died

lost

very unhealtliy.

ant-hill.

When

The Egyptian troops

they

first

joined

expedition, they were an exceedingly powerful

of men,
their

whose

p/i?/5iVye

the

body

much admired, although

morale was of the worst type.

think that

ISMAILIA.

76
every

man

at least a stone in weight

lias lost

we commenced

[chap.

since

voyage in chaos, or

dreadful

tliis

III.

the Slough of Despond.

"

The boats reached the small

their

voyage through the

We

casting-net

extremity of the five

fisherman

catch delicious fish daily with the

my

of

boatmen

who understands

the only

man who

" April

The

is

7.

the

can use

channel

making a
of
twelve.
boy
" April
Passed

nine

total

a professional

casting-net,

but he

it.

Another soldier

lake.

with two

all

sailors

and

total

afternoon reached lake No,

channel blocked up.

open the

No.

into lake

8.

old

is

again blocked up

is

hands clearing into the next

died

pounds, and a species

to four or five

One

carp.

anchored

the best are the Nile perch, that runs

from a pound
of

and continued
and

channel,

for the night at the northern

mile lake.

lake,

but

passage,

3,
I

there

and by the

2,

where we found our

set
is

men

to

no chance of

completion until about noon to-morrow.

passed

this

obstruction

lake

change

work

has

taken

Since
place,

to
its

we
the

which we cut a channel has

throuo;h

Large

entirely broken up.

rafts of

about two acres

each have drifted asunder, and have floated to the

end of the lake.

It

is

thus im230ssible

to predict

CHAP.

FORMATION OF

III.]

may

wliat the future

SOIL.

77

There can be uo doubt

effect.

that the whole of this country was at some former

period

lake,

which

The dry

vegetation.

lias

gradually

land,

which

during the hot season,

formed,
alluvial

not

is

now

even

are

and

distance

still

nor

stone

two

of

exposed

of the decay

of the grass that

the

increasino-

even

small
;

We

soil.

has

that

vast

we have

miles

huiidi-ed

operation

the

through which

soil

witnessing
is

only

is

by degrees form

annually burnt

is

up with

the result

is

The ashes

of vegetable matter.

filled

of

tract

There

past.

pebble

for

country

the

a
is

simple mud.
'^

April

9.

Passed

after

much

mile

cutting

two

labour,

pretty

the old channel at 11.45 a.m.,

and we found the

clear,

with

the

the

Bahr

Giraffe,

narrow channel we had

work

ficult

cutting

of

fi-oni

through

of

we

p.m.

which extremely

commenced our

first

five

exception

At 5.30

or three small obstructions.

reached

long

many

dif-

miles

of

country.
"

Who

could believe the change

appears to rule

swamp.

A wave

credible change
r>.ilii'

in

(iiniffe

Some

evil spirit

this horrible i-ogion of everhisliiig

of the demon's

appears!

w;iiid,

nnd nn

ir)-

The narrow and choked

has disapptared

instead

(r

wlii(

li

ISMAILiA.

78
river of

is

hundred yards' width of

meets

water

As

as

far

us

boundless

unction

of

days

grass,

there

water

of

without one drop

is

very important, and a stream

an hour.

is

by a

separated

The volume

of floating vegetation.

rate of three miles

in

E.S.E,,

sheets

course of a river, but each lake

is

our cutting.

These sheets of water mark the

of water visible.

dam

of

we saw nothing but a

ago

marsh

plain of

open

Large

of water

running at the

Nevertheless, althouoh

open water, we now find ourselves prisoners

we

a species of lake, as
a serious

dam

III.

clear runniDo-

can reach to the

the eye

few

the

at

succession

where

[chap.

are completely shut in

in

by

of dense rafts of vegetation that have

been borne forward and tightly compressed by the

great force of this

new

suppose

that

culous

to

rendered

navigable.

would be utterly
destroyed

with

Ui

It

this

river

One

or

helpless,

their

that might break

river.

two

is

simj)ly ridi-

can

vessels,

ever

crews by a

entirely

sudden

up the country and

alone,

if

and might be

be

change

inclose

them

a trap from which they could never escape.

''We passed the night

at anchor.

Many

potami are snorting and splashing in the new

"April

10.

After

hippo-

lakes.

a hard day's labour, a portion

of the fleet succeeded in

cutting through the most

GENERAL FOiaiATIuN.

CHAP, in.]

serious

dubba,

dam, and we descended our old river to

or

mound, where we

dry

in

when we

the

saw

last

small islands,

The

evenincf.

formed of

river

is

much

rafts

of

but

it,

have grounded in their descent.

the river choked in

many

had

tlie

dis-

first

The No. 10 steamer

covered vestiges of the traders.

arrived

79

is

wider than

obstructed by

vegetation that
fear

we may

find

No

places below stream.

dependence can ever be placed upon this accursed

The fabulous Styx

river.

must be a sweet

rip-

pling brook, compared to this horrible creation.

violent

wind acting upon the high waving mass of

sugar-cane

may

grass

suddenly create

change

sometimes large masses are detached by the gam-

whose rude rambles

bols of a herd of hippopotami,

break narrow lanes throuofh the

durinof the nio^ht

floating

action

plains

of the

of

through which the

water-grass,

may

stream

tear

large

masses from

the main body.

"The water being pent up by enormous

of vegetation,

mixed with mud and

danism

half-decayed

matter,

forms a chain of lakes at slightly-varying

levels.

The sudden

breakingr

of

one

dam would

thus cause an impetuous rush of stream that

tear

away

miles

the equilibrium

of

country,

of the

mifi^lit

and entirely changr

floating masses.

ISMAIL! A.

so
'^

April

11.

examine the

sent

aliead

vessel

sailing

Ill,

to

with orders that she should dip

river,

met with an

her ensig-n in case

she

Thank God,

clear.

all

[chap.

is

therefore

obstruction.

ordered

the

steamers to remount their paddles.

"We

started at 10 p.m.
12.

''April

At

11.30

we met

p.m.

five

Ghattas^ boats bound for the White Nile.

These

declared their intention of returning,

people

they heard the deplorable account of the

"At

2 A.M.

to our former

''April

we

wood

now

river.

station in the forest.

13. Started

is

at

dry.

11.30

we were

Mr.

The

a.m.

therefore

banks as

the

the diahbeeah slowly descended the stream.

were great numbers of wild fowl

provided

being

heavy

rilies

we made a very

difficult to

both

There

also hippopotami,

shot

guns

and

curious bag during the

England or Scotland would have

afternoon, that in

been

with

river

and the

here,

Baker and

walked a portion of the way upon

and

when

arrived at our old position, close

has fallen three feet since

country

of

carry

two hippopotami, one

home

we

crocodile,

shot and secured

twenty-two geese,

nnd twenty ducks.

"At
^

7 P.M.

One

we

arrived at the station of

of Uio principal ]vli;irtumji ivory

and slave

Kutchuk
traders.

KUTCBUK

CHAP. HI.]

Ali.

THE SLAVE-TRADER.

ALI,

or agent, commandino-

sent for the vakeel,

whom

the company, to

system and

thoroughly explained the

suppression

81

of

the

seemed very incredulous that

slave

He

trade.

would actually be

it

to

make

the experiment of sending cargoes of slaves

down

enforced

but

Khartoum,

to

He

recommended him not

had done

he

as

previous years.

in

appeared to be very confident that because his

employer, Kutchuk Ali, had been promoted to the

rank of sandjak, with

ment

the

command

expedition, no inquiry

cerning the acts

given

could be

of

his

of the

of a govern-

would be made con-

No

people.

of the

insincerity

proof

greater

Soudan

authorities in professing to suppress the slave trade,

than the

that

fact,

Djiaffer

general of the Soudan, had given the

an expedition to

known

as

one

this

of

same Kutchuk

the

governor-

Pacha, the

principal

command

Ali,

of

who was

slave-traders

of

the White Nile.

"April

14.

One

but was captured.

had

deserted

up the

passage

to

my

of

We
the

river,

black soldiers deserted,

also

caught a

slave-hunters

but

as

he was discovered.

pectedly

VOL.

had actually purchased

I.

who

during

our

we returned unexThe

colonel,

Bey, reported this morning that several

soldiers

sailor

slaves

Raouf

officers

and

to-day from

ISMAILIA.

82
Kutcliuk

slave

the Khedive's troops,

thus,

employed under

^vho are

the

station

All's

[ciiAr. iii.

my command

suppress

to

would quickly convert the

trade,

dition Into a slave market.

slaves to be returned,

once ordered the

at

expe-

and Issued stringent instructions

to the officers.
" I

saw

captured

under

guard

the

musket.

but

women and

slave

know

there

of

number

afternoon

this

with

scoundrel

much diplomacy

is

water

fetching

girls

that the station

newly-

of

full

is

loaded

of slaves

and

necessary,

at

present I do not Intend to visit their camp.

'^

April

15.-

was necessary

To

prevent

to offer

condemned

therefore

further

desertions,

it

an example to the troops.

the deserter

who was captured

yesterday to be shot at noon.

"At

the

parade in

brought

bugle

full

call,

uniform.

and

forward

The

a short
out,

and the

fine

young man

marched

mustered
in irons

round the

been

the men, the

to

firing

native of Pongo,

The prisoner

having

sentence
address

troops

was

hollow

party

declared,

prisoner

advanced.

of about twenty years

who had been taken

and had become a

on

by muffled drums.

square, accompanied
"

the

after

was led

He was

of age,

as

soldier against his will.

a slave

CHAP.

MILITARY EXECUTION-.

III.]

" There

was much allowance

and

the circumstances,

way

in

for desertion

He

death.

for

cast

he found neither sympathy

friends in the hard features of the officers

The

under

was moved by the manly

which he prepared

around, but

eyes

83

nor

and men.

had turned out in great

people

slave-trader's

his

numbers, dressed in their best clothes, to enjoy the

ready

the

prisoner

moment he

turned

me

towards

xpression

five paces

face

his
;

firing party

down with

knelt

towards them, at about

The

of a military execution.

liui

his

back

At that

distant.

with

was

beseeching

he Avas ordered unmc-

but

liately to look straight before him.

The

'

<'licking

on

full

order,

'

of the locks,

and

cock

was given, and the sharp

Present,'

as the

muskets were brought

presented,

left

but

another

moment
"

At

retire,

that

and

instant I
I

ordered the firing party to

summoned

the

brought up in charge of the guard.

ence

^f

all

the

the necessity of

ishment of
at

the

troops
stj'ict

death

same time

who was

prisoner,

In the pres-

then explained to him

discipline,

and that the pun-

must certainly follow

I

desertion,

made such allowance

youth and iixnorance that

for

hig

determined to reduce

the punishment to that of flogging, which I trusted

G 2

ISMAILIA.

84

would

warning

assured

liim,

and

although

be

much

panies and

troops

crowd of

necessary,

formed

as

No

into

who

should do

sections

slunk back

slave-hunters

com-

of

each

me

but

their

to

no blood had been

spilt

amusement.person

Lieutenant Baker

except

Eaouf Bey, had been

colonel,

be

should

they passed before

disappointed that

for their

had

when

marched past with band playing

company cheering

station

that

generally,

troops

others.

all

The prisoner was flogged and kept in

The

irons.

"

the

and

happier in rewarding those

their duty.

the

him

III.

should never flinch from administering

punishment

severe

to

[chap.

never

intended

to

and

the

in the secret that

shoot

the

man.

had

merely arranged an impressive scene as a coup de

that

theatre,

might

trusted

benefit

the

morale

of the men.
"

AVe were

Bahr

Girafle,

It

in the fine clear

which

having

stream of the

received

numerous

from the marsh regions, was united in one

affluents

now

was

satisfactory

to

me

that

this

young man, who was

pardoned and punished as described, became one of the best and

most thoroughly trustworthy

soldiers

of

my

body-guard

and

having at length been raised to the rank of corporal, he was at

the close of the expedition

name was

Ferritch Ajoke.

promoted

to

that of serjeant.

His

CHAP.

LETTERS FROM HIGGINBOTHAM.

III.]

volume.

We

and

diahbeeah,

the

85

got up steam and started at 4.30 p.m.,

by the

towed

down

steamer

stream, travelled at about nine miles an hour until

making

8 A.M.,

"We
bank
'^

a run of 125 miles.

then stopped at a large forest on the

wood

to cut

April

16.

for the steamer.

Went out

shooting with Mr. Baker,

and shot two ElUpsyprymna

but game

is beautiful,

broken by elephants,
during the wet
useful

become

the

for

trees,

Were

fuel.

we should only

nearly

either hollow or rotten,

as

Khartoum
ment

1 7.

We

steamed

and then halted

about

merely

fires.

which thus dry

not

the

for

and of

four

little

vessels

had followed me with a

our supply of wood.

is

steamers'

is

use

from

reinforce-

letters

from

Pacha and Mr. Higginbotham.

" April

miles

very

one company of troops, with

of

DjiaiFer

that

it

dead wood, which

find

To day we met

firewood.

much

are

it

elephants,
all

forest is

These animals

wood

good

The

which appear to frequent

They break down the green

and

The country

antelopes.

scarce.

is

season.

preparing

in

west

thirty-seven

few

at a

The

which the country

is

good

forest

miles

hundred

about

in

yards

prairie.

thirty-seven

forest

on the

to

length,
in

On

up

left

bank

but

it

width,
the

fill

east

is

beyond
bank.

[cKAF. Hi

ISMAIL'iA.

86
Avhere there

and
the
'^

no

is

antelopes

forest,

we saw

numbers

considerable

in

buffaloes,

girafFes,

during

day.

April

18.

up wood

Filling

We

in the morning.

then travelled three hours, and halted eleven miles

During the voyage

from the AVhite Nile junction.

a lion and lioness with five cubs running

we saw

alarmed at the steamer.

off

" In

afternoon

the

out

Avent

and shot seven

geese and two fine black bucks.

fever.

we

Here

company

of

was

Baker

"Lieutenant

met

soldiers

four

from

unfortuDately

more

vessels

Khartoum.

ill

with

with
The}'

a
of

course remained with us.

"April
at

the

19.

In

White

saw three

an hour and a half we arrived

Nile,

and twenty minutes

later

vessels belonging to the mudir, or governor,

AVe heard from the people on these

of Fashoda.

boats that the governor (Ali Bey, the Koordi,)

making a
of

all

razzia

on the Shillook

the river were

away

in

their

we

all

crowded

directions

little

tribe.

with

The banks

natives

women were

was

running

carrying off

household goods, and children were

following their parents, each with a basket on their

heads

containinoj

valuable

to

be

either

left

food

behind.

or
I

somethinsj

too

immediately went

CHAP.

oflf

PLUNDER OF THE SHILLOOKS.

III.]

87

a rowmo- boat, and, after mucli difficulty,

in

some

inducingr

succeeded in

of

who

natives

tlie

could speak Arabic to stop and converse witli me.

They declared

the Turks

that

without provocation, and

had attacked them

that the

Koordi

many

governor of Fashoda was called) had stolen

women and

of their

children,

and had

the

(as

killed

their

people, as he was generally plundering the country.

I

begged the natives not to

trict,

but

to

until

Avait

on the following day

the

women and

fly

should

and

from their

make

inquiries

promised to

restore

should they have

children,

dis-

been

kidnapped.
" I halted at a forest about nine miles

junction of the Bahr

Giraffe,

river concealed the steamers

"

sent

from the

where a bend of the

and diahbeeah.

Late at night, when most peo2)lc were asleep,

orders

steamer

to

the

to

have

chief engineer

the

steam up

No.

of the

I
1

five

on

the

punctually

at

the

at

following morning^.
" April

appointed

-20.

hour

We
;

my

towed by the steamer.

and quickly came
I

started

diahbeeah,

as

being

usual,

As we rounded

the

point

in sight of the governor's vessels,

watched them with a powerful telescope.

some time we appeared

to

be unol)served.

For

knew

ISMAILIA.

88
that

tlie

celebrated for keeping

troops were not

sharp lookout, and

we

[chap. hi.

arrived within three quarters

of a mile before the sound of our paddles attracted

The

their attention.

now

telescope

disclosed

of the mysteries of the expedition.

considerable excitement

made out one

among
and

tent,

some

perceived a

the troops on shore.

I

distinguished

men

hurrying to and fro apparently busy and excited.

During

and

on

board

bank.
I

were

could

that

vessel

could distinctly see

being driven from the shore

of people
a

approaching,

rapidly

as the distance lessened,

number

we

time

this

was

lying

the

alongside

convinced that these were slaves, as

felt

the

distinguish

size

between

In the meantime

we were

difference

the children and adults.

in

travelling at full speed (about eight miles an hour)

broad

the

in

of the

White

"

6.35

At

opposite

the

governor of

but slack

current

of

that

portion

Nile.

we ranged up
which

tent

belonged

We

Fashoda.

alongside

had

to

bank

the

Koordi

the

passed

close

to

the three vessels, but no person was visible except

their

crews.

My

arrival

was

evidently

quite

unexpected, and not very agreeable.

"The governor
on

the

poop

shortly appeared, and

deck

of

my

diahbeeah

was invited
;

this

was

CHAP.

always
to

A SURPRISE.

III.]

with

furnished

89

and

carpets

as

so

sofas

form a divan.
"After a pipe and

by

versation

advance at
fore I

'

God

He

and, please God,

an

of

Giraffe, there-

necessary to return.

great

is

the con-

impossibility

the Bahr

this season vid

it

commenced

the

describing

had found

replied,

coffee,

simply

you

will

he

had

succeed next year.'

"I now asked him how many

with him,

noticed two

as I

troops

of irregular cavalry, in addition to

of

He

infantry.

addition

panies, in

Baggara Arabs

the

to

some companies

he

that

replied

had

com-

five

and mounted

cavalry

and that he was

number

brass guns, a

the

collecting

taxes,'
*'

taxation

and

form

special

the

or a house tax,

taxes

were

seemed to be a great puzzle

and,

governor,

after

he

people

were very averse

made one annual

collected
I

in

or in

what
This

mind

of the

to

the

my

colonel,

to

taxation,

therefore

he

tour throughout the country, and

what he thought

avsked

had

he replied that the

Turkish,
to

he

represented.
to

applying

whom

spoke

his system of

me whether

inform

to

established a poll tax,

"

me

begged him to explain to

just.

him whether he captured women and

ISMAIL!A.

90
cLildreu

same way

the

in

To

the natives' cattle.

[chap. hi.

which

in

annexed

he

he replied by

this question

a distinct negative, at the same time assuming

ai)

expression of horror at such an idea.

"

my

immediately ordered

tenant-Colonel

Abd-el-Kader,

to

were lying a few yards

that

very

excellent

and

the

visit

This was a

astern.

trustworthy

vessels

officer,

and

he

In

the

immediately started upon an examination.

meanwhile
the

the

Koordi governor

puffing

sofa,

away

upon

rigidly

sat

long

his

at

Lieu-

aide-de-camp,

pipe,

but

evidently thinking that the affair would not end in

simple smoke.
*'

In

angrily

colonel

the

few minutes

vessel,

heard the

expostulating

who had denied

voice

with

that

the

of

crew

my
of

any slaves were

on board.

Almost at the same time a crowd of

unfortunate

captives

emerged

from

where

below,

they had been concealed, and walked singly along

the plank to the shore

being counted by the

according to sex as they disembarked.

governor
before

looked

our eyes.

uncomfortable,
I

as

officer

The Koordi

this

happened

made no remark, but simply

expressed a wish to walk round his encampment.

"Having passed through

the

place

of

where the foulest smells attacked us from

bivouac^
all

sides.

CHAP.

DISCO FEE THE SLAVES.

III.]

thoroughly examiued the

Lieutenant Baker and a

There was no military order,

by

occupied

many

native

tremely

crowd of

allies,

cloak

was belted round

officers

but

medal

staff.

was

place

mingled

with

under the command of an ex-

made
his

savage,

upon

waist,

his

dressed

woollen

of

to

pended a crooked Turkish sabre

brass

my

of

tlie

soldiers,

blackguard-looking

long scarlet

by

accompanied

spot,

few

91

breast,

in

This

cloth.

which

was

sus-

he wore a large

which

somewhat

resembled those ornaments that undertakers use for

giving

a lively appearance to coffins.

was introduced

to

me by

This

the Koordi as the

fellow
*

king

had

of the Shillooks.'

" In the rear of the party, to which spot

penetrated while the Koordi was engaged in giving

orders to certain officers,

mass of

slaves,

who were

squatted upon the ground,

and surrounded by dirty

fence,

by the support

camel saddles, &c.

a

number

that

my

"Many
other

visit

of

clothes,

of

These

of soldiers,

came suddenly upon a

who

lances,

M'omen

by ropes passed

crowd of children,

pieces

of

stick,

people were guarded by

at first

was one of simple

the

arranged like

were

from

including

seemed to think
curiosity.

secured

neck

to

to

neck.

each

very young infants,


ISMAIL! A.

92

among

squatted
silence,

and

Having

sent

[chap, hi

the mass, and

regarded

my

for

slaves into classes,

me

kept a profound

all

with

great

note-book,

we had

the

divided

and counted them

Concealed in the boat

curiosity.

as follows

71

discovered,

Those on shore guarded by sentries were

84
155

and women,

80 children, and

including

65

10 men.

The governor of Fashoda,

had caught

girls

in

me

the

that

kidnapping

the act of

the person who, a

whom

thus

slaves,

was

few weeks before, had assured

was suppressed,

slave trade

as

The

traders dared not pass his station of Fashoda.

real

was,

fact

that

example of the

excellent

this

the

Soudan made a considerable fortune by levying

toll

upon

down

brought

own

every slave
the

which

river

traders'

put

he

boats

into

his

pocket.

" I immediately informed

him

this

the

to

the

upon the

"At

him that

should report

Khedive, at the same time

insisted

liberation of every slave.

first

he questioned

my

authority, saying that

he held the rank of bey, and was governor of the

district.

liberate

the

simply told him that 'if he refused to

slaves,

he must give

me

that refusal

CHAP.

in

EXTRAORDINARY TAXATION.

III.]

and

fix,

hostages

as

At

should pay their taxes.

from one native

ten

heard

cows

the

stolen child

father

ten

cows

for

method of

was sold back

and

the

If

had been shot dead

father

was the

this

taxes

collecting

received

the ransom of his

for

child, thus

was no

had

he

that

until

the same

time he was oblio-ed to confess that there

estabUshed tax.

he

to explain that they

but only held

slaves,

the people

awkward

an

by attempting

altered his tone

were not

was

This

writing/

93

in the

the

to

Soudan

ud fortunate

razzia,

un-

his

ransomed child would have been carried away and

sold as a slave

be

afraid

of being

to

or should the panic-stricken natives

approach

kidnapped

with

themselves,

children would be lost to

*'

and that

Soudan,
of

them

governors

discover

was the

protestations

the

was simply

dust

that

rule

of

thrown

what

of the

innocence
into

the

was true that the Shillook country was

eyes.

It

not in

my jurisdiction

but

interfere in behalf of the slaves,

not meddle with the general

I

fear

ever.

knew

for

women and

the
for

was thoroughly disgusted.

had happened to

ransom

was determined
although

aflfairs

therefore told the Koordi that I

to

should

of the country.

had the

list

of

the captives, and he must send for some responsible

ISMAIL! A.

94
native

In the meantime

homes.

neighbourhood.
I

had

them and take tliem

receive

to

then returned to

to

tlieir

should remain in the

the

that

fleet

In the evening

at the forest.

left

[chap. hi.

we were

joined by most of the rear vessels.

" Aiyril
vessels

with

21.

in

At

full

9.30

delighted by the

and shortly afterwards

&c.,

"April

22.

all

of Mr.

arrival

botham. Dr. Gedge, and the

.shipwrights,

eleven

sighted

from Khartoum,

approaching

sail,

a strong N.-E. wind,

we were

we

a.m.

Higgin-

English engineers,

six

good health.

in

paid a visit to the Koordi's camp,

accompanied by Mr. Baker and Mr. Higginbotham,

as

wished

Upon

fact.

European

have

to

arrival,

witnesses

explained

the

to

the

to

governor

that he had compromised the Egyptian government

by

his act,

tions
I

and

as

had received general

from the Khedive

could

only

regard

to suppress all slave-hunters,

him

had actually found him

fore,

insist

release

of

all

them

confidence
''

in

that

in the act.

category,
I

as

must, there-

upon the immediate and unconditional

the

slaves.

evasion, he consented,
liberate

instruc-

and

personally,

among

After
I at

an

attempt

at

once determined to

which

would

establish

the natives.

Accompanied by Lieutenant Baker and Mr. Hig-

ciiAP.

LIBERATION OF TEE SLAVES.

III.]

and the various

ginbotliam,

95

of the

officers

staff,

ordered the ropes, irons, and other accompaniments

of slavery to be detached

an interpreter

and

exphxined through

the astonished crowd of captives,

to

Khedive had abolished

that the

slavery,

they were at liberty to return to their

At

they appeared

first,

could

not

'

oflV

homes were, they pointed

to the

fact

upon

but

villages

the

in

and

of our

men

our cattle and corn are carried

all

<iuickly as possible,

them

advise

only

could

and

distance,

many

Those are our homes, but

arc killed,

and evidently

astounded,

asking

rows of

boundless
said,

their

own homes.

my

the

realise

them where

therefore

now

that they

pack

to

off

as

had the chance

of freedom.
"

The women immediately took

(one

infants

others

led

had been born

the

very

and with a general

(j^uavering
I

to

and

small

up

during

their

the

little

night),

by the hand,

children

concert, they burst into the long,

that

yell

shrill

denotes

rejoicing.

watched them as they retreated over the plain

theii-

deserted homes, and

Jvoordi's

troops

oamp was almost

as

comic.

to the Khedive direct

took a coldly polite

The looks of astonishment

farewell of the Koordi.

of the

but

passed
shall

through

their

report this affair

feel sure

that the ex-

I8MAILIA.

96

[chap.

m.

posure of the governor of Fashoda will not add to

the

among

popularity of the expedition

lower

the

officials.

" April 23.

two diahbeeahs
permanent
in

three

for

hours

a favourable spot for a

explore

to

We

and

reached the Sobat junction

to

down

the Sobat,

the

twenty-five

stream,

we steamed

at

forest,

on a high

some extraordinary high

where

east,

about

quarter,

forty minutes, arriving

bank

two steamers and

with

started

station.

From

miles.

together with dolape

dome palms (palma Thehaica),

palms (Borassus Ethiopicus), gave an

air of tropical

beauty to a desolate and otherwise uninviting

" I

fixed

upon

place

this

ground was hard, the position

of high floods,

wood

and the

We

above the level

forest afforded

for building purposes

''April 24.

far

and

as the

station

for

a supply of

for fuel.

steamed for half an hour down

named

stream to a large village on the west bank,

Wat-a-jook.

hour

to

gigantic

the

Thence
large

known

went down stream

grove

India-rubber

large village,

spot.

trees.

of

dolape

for

palms

one

and

This was formerly a

as Hillet-el-dolape,

but

it

has

been entirely destroyed by the governor of Fashoda.

.

After

come

much
to

difficulty,

me, with

whom

induced some
I

at length

natives

made

to

friends

CHAP.

BREAK-DOWN OF STEAMER.

III.]

they

joined in accusing the Koorcli governor of

all

wanton
" In

97

atrocities.

the afternoon, not having discovered a spot

superior to that I had already selected for a station,

we returned

we had not

but

more than

travelled

an hour and a half when the engine of the No.

10

On

down.

steamer broke

examination,

peared that the air-pump was broken.

it

ap-

Fortunately

the accident occurred close to the spot selected for

a station.

25. At

''April

steamer to

sent back the No. 8

call the fleet to the station.

friends with

the

great

had heard that

people

women and

natives,

the

made

soon

numbers of

on the west bank of

congregated
these

12.30 r.M.

whom

river.

had liberated

All
the

children.

"April 26.

The

steamer and entire

fleet

arrived

and a

Pongo

in the afternoon.

" The

natives

brought a

a present

bullock

from their

chief.

freed

the

slave

as

slave,

and sent a piece of cloth as an introduction

to the chief.

''April

27.

This

was

measuring out the camp.

at

work

to

fell

the

forest

a busy
I

set

and

day

passed

several
to

companies

prepare

for building.

VOL.

I.

in

timljer

ISMAILIA.

98
''April 28.

No
Pouring
The Englishmen

'^

form our magazines.

had a number of

is

possible.

up thch

set

iir,

forge

and we commenced unloading corrugated

iron sheets to

liad

work

rain.

''Aiwil 29.

and anvil

[ciiAr.

'

wall-plates,

Fortunately,

that

&c.,

rafters,

brought from Egypt for this purpose, as there

no straight wood in the country.

'

The sheik or head of the Shillook

envoys with a present of

tril)e

and two

bullocks

four

sent

small tusks, with a message that he wished to sec

nic,

but he was afraid to come.

tlie

messengers back in the No. 8 steamer with ten

soldiers as

We

under a

sit

officers,

the

while

attending

of

permanent

and smoke and drink

tree

iron

Higginbotham,

instead

work of forming

pressing

the

camp,

his

the

employed,

actively

all

station.

erecting

Lieutenant Baker, Mr.

Eaouf Bey and

t'.^

commenced

Englishmen

and the

my

an escort to bring him to

"April 30.
magazines.

accordingly sent

coffee

throughout the day.

" The

many
troops

artillerymen

of

the

nearly

are

all

ill

likewise

Egyptian regiment, while the black

are well

and

in

excellent spirits.

There

i,s

no doubt that for this service the blacks are very

su[)erior to the
pr< 'indices

Egyptians

these are full of religion s-

combined with extreme

ignorance,

and

CHAP.

THE KING OF THE SHILLOOKS.

III.]

thoy

fall

sick wlien

to wliicli they are

''

true

111

tlie

vegetable diet

accustomed in Egypt.

the evening

Shillook

dcprivecl of

99

king

the steamer returned with

the

accompanied

his

l)y

two

of

wives, four daughters and a retinue of alujut seventy

people."

H 2

CHAPTER

IV.

THE CAMP AT TEWFIKEEYAH.

''May

1.

The

camp

beginning to look

is

civilized.

Already the underwood has been cleared, and the

large trees which border the river have their separate
proprietors.

There

tropical climate
finest

is

here

no home

we

are fortunate in having the

mimosas, which form a cool screen.

apportioned the finest trees

among

The English quarter of the camp

and the whole
this

new
to

shady tree in a

like a

force

is

was a wilderness

the higher

is

now

have

officers.

already arranged,

under canvas.
;

there are

few days ago

some hundred

tents arranged in perfectly straight rows so as

form

streets.

This extensive plot of white tents,

occupying a frontage of four hundred yards, and

backed by the bright green

forest,

looks

very im-

posing from the river.

" The English

quarter

was swept

clean,

and as

CHAP.

ARRIVAL OF QUAT RARE.

IV.]

the surface

101

on the margin of the river was a

soil

hard white sand, the place quickly assumed a neat

and homely appearance.

had a

where

waited

king of the Shillooks

"

the

arrival

accompanied

aide-de-camp,

introduced

by

daughters, and a large retinue.

looks, he

was very

the

of

true

Quat Kare.

minutes he was

In a few

a few chairs,

a beautiful shady

and a carpet arranged beneath

mimosa,

sofa,

tall

looked scanty and old,

and

thin.

at once

two

by an
four

wives,

Like

all

the Shil-

As

his

wardrobe

gave him a long

blue shirt which nearly reached to his ankles, together

with a long Indian red scarf to wear as a waistband.

When

thus attired

(fez)

all

presented

him with a tarboosh

which presents he received without a

of

smile or the slightest acknowledgment.

When dressed,

with the assistance of two or three of the soldiers

who had volunteered

the

carpet,

upon which he invited

There was a profound

near him.

sit

king

to act as valets, he sat

appeared

have

to

no

his

slowly

and the

turned them

officers

in

family

power of speech

my

to

The

silence.

simply fixed his eyes upon myself and

then

down on

he

wife

upon

Lieutenant Baker

attendance.

The crowd was

perfectly silent.
"

was

oljliged

to

commence the conversation

ISMAJLIA.

102

by asking
the

old

liim

kino-

'

was

wlietlicr lie

of

[chap.

Shillooks

the

Quat Kare,

really

as

IV.

had

heard

his death reported.'

" Instead

of

replying,

woman

his wives, a

he conferred with one of

who appeared

of ahoiit sixty,

prime minister and adviser.

act as

to

This old lady

immediately took up the discom'se, and very deliberately related the intrigues of the Koordi governor

of

Fashod;i,

husband.

which had ended

appeared

It

that

Koordi

the

her

ruin of

the

in

did

not

wish that peace should reign throughout the land.

The Shillooks

were

powerful

upwards of

million,

therefore

to

numbering

tribe,

was

it

advisable

sow dissension amongst them, and thus destroy

their unity.

Quat Kare was a powerful king, who

had ruled the country

He was
kings

was

the

direct

therefore

to

be

more than

for

descendant of

was a

he

The

dreaded.

fifty

lonoj

man whose
policy

of

years.
line

of

influence

the

Koordi

determined that he would overthrow the power of

Quat

Kare,

and

having

after

Fashoda as David

the cave of

the

fled

governor-general

from

Saul

snares

and hid

The Koordi was

Adullam.

cunning in intrigue

laid

king fled from the governor

for his capture, the old

of

vainly

clever

in

and

thus, he wrote to Djiafier Pacha,

of

the

Soudan, and declared

CHAP.

lyTBIGUES AGAINST QUAT KAliE.

IV.]

Iu3

that Quat Kare, the king of the Shillooks was

it

was therefore necessary

Jangy

for

whom

due course

for

next

\nAi-,

he requested the firman of the

The firman

Khedive.

the

to elect

de<.i.<'

Khedive arrived

the

who

pretender Jangy,

the

distant connexion

of

wa.s

and in no way

Quat Kare,

of

in

entitled to the succession.

This intrigue threw the

country

Jangy

confusion.

into

was

proclaim',

king by the Koordi, and was dressed in a scarb

The pretender got

with belt and sabre.

robe

who were ready

gether a large band of adherents

any adventure that might yield them plunder.

natives,

who knew
herds of

vast

the

guides to the Koordi

the old king,

to-

h/r

The^e

the paths and the places wht

cattle

i-e

were concealed, acted as

and the

adherents of

fLiithful

Quat Kare, were plundered, oppressed,

and enslaved without mercy,

had fortunately arrived

until

the day that

in the Shillook country,

and

caught the Koordi in the very act of kidnapping.

"

had heard

much

was

manner
"
rule.
soil

in

Here

this

story a few days before,

and

and

forcible

which the old wife described the

history.

struck

\\'ith

the

we have an average

clear

picture

of

Soudan

In a country blessed with the most productive

and

favourable

climate,

with

population

estimated at above a million, the only step towards

ISMA ILIA

104

[chap.

improvement, after seven years of Egyptian

a

system

and

plunder

of

rule, is

Instead

massacre.

IV.

of

peace, a series of intrigues liave tlirown the country

With

anarchy.

hopeless

into

good government,

this fertile land

might produce enormous wealth

the

of

cultivation

would bring the

authority

arranged

affair

before

the

the meantime, his j)eople

in

cotton.

should wait patiently, and

with the king that he

that

and

corn

in

proper

should re-

turn to their villages.

" After

ment
life,

feast

magnetic

the

of

upon an

entertain-

and the wheel of

an assortment of presents, and sent

them back rejoicing

been

amused

king

while

in the

by the

stoical

undergoing

had

of

the

shock from

the

No. 8 steamer.
countenance

severe

Although every muscle of

battery.

One

features.

his

arms was

he never altered the expression of

quivering,

after

battery

and the

gave Quat Kare, and the various members

of his family,

and

ox,

resisted

many

of his

wives followed his

his

example,

a shock with great determination, and

attempts

she

succeeded

in

extracting

a necklace from a basin of water so highly charged,

that her hand was completely cramped and paralysed.
" I have thoroughly gained the confidence of the
natives,

as

vast

herds of cattle are

now

fearlessly

CHAP.

REGIMENT OF EGYPTIAN CQNVICTS.

IV.]

105

brought to graze on the large island opposite

The natives

camp.

may

children that
'

tlie

me

assure

that

male

the

all

the

be born this year will be called

Pacha/ in commemoration of the

release given

to the captives.

"A
of

was caught

soldier

from

fowl

stealing

this afternoon

Hogged and secured in irons

determined upon
of

the

old

the

is

my

task

ing a reformation.

might be

ties

in

have
spite

portion

greater

composed of

of

con-

felons,

and transported

victed of offences in Cairo,

Nile,

discipline,

the

act

had him

for five days.

As

the Egyptian regiment

White

native.

strictest

prejudice.

in the

to the

rather difficult in establish-

is

The good

questioned

a regiment of convicts to

taste of

tlie

me

supplying

for

authori-

with

an enterprise

carry out

where a high state of discipline and good conduct

are essential to secure success."

gave

name

the

which

station,

portance.

rapidly

was

It

as all the lines

in

Tewfikeeyah^

the

to

new

grew into a place of

totally unlike

were straight.

im-

an Egyptian camp,

Deep

ditches,

cut

every necessary direction, drained the station to

the

river.

length,
*

on

After

the

tl^p

made a quay about

bank of

the

Khedive's eldest son,

river,

yards

.500

in

by which the

Mahomed Tewlik

Pacha.

ISMAILIA.

lOG
Avliolc

fleet

cargo.

could

embark

and

lie,

[cuAP.

large stable contained

tlie

disembark

or

twenty

horses,

which by great care had kept their condition.

to keep

was absolutely necessary

,stable

on account of the

animals

in

building

it

drive

of dried horse-dung, to
insects.

and

legs of

The

which attacked

flies,

hair

to

fell

light

away

ramble about), owing to

irritated the skin;

composed

these persecut-

completely off the ears

the

swarms

allowed
of

but in spite of the comparative

out-door independence,
to

small grey
those that

house.

ones

and

fell

off"

The worst

life

of

in condition

if

were

flies

the

with a long proboscis, similar to

are often

seen in

houses in

England.

In an incredibly short time the station

shape.

to

that

flies

comfort of a stable, the donkeys preferred a

confined

all

darkened

fires

donkeys (which were

the

It

dark

in

Even within the

swarms.

was necessary

ing

them

IV.

fell

into

constructed three magazines of galvanized

iron, each eighty feet in length,

and the head

store-

keeper, Mr. Marcopolo, at last completed his arduous

task of

storing

the

immense

amount

of

supplies

that had been contained in the fleet of vessels.

This introduced us to the White Nile

rats,

which

volunteered their services in thousands, and quickly

took

possession

of

the

magazines

by tunneling

THE HATS AXD WHITE AXTS.

ctiAP. IV.]

beneatb,

and

paradise,

among thousands

cuits,

appearing in

like

attacked and

no lime in
thus

ravages

and

country,

absolutely
ants

cleanse

to

nor

immediately

be

There was

stone

of

impossible

to

except
the

vast

the

the ground

white ants.

Ijy

turninsj over

stores,

by

the

any kind,
the

stop

constant

masses of boxes

them from the earthen

gal-

which denote the presence of the termites.

leries
I

the

white

of

labour of

an hour-glass, to

destroyed

was

it

rat's

holes in

and the contents poured upon

sand from

of bushels of rice, bis-

They gnawed

animals was frightful.

sacks,

of

The destruction caused by these

&c.

lentils,

midst

the

107

had European vegetable seeds

of

and having cleared and grubbed up

we quickly

forest,

was

quarter

were

established gardens.

particularly

by

separated

under cultivation

fences,

for

we

and

kinds,

a portion of

The English

The various

plots

ground

was

the

about two acres extendinor

o to

the margin of the river.

for myself, as

neat.

all

preferred

did not build a house

our comfortable

diali-

beeah, which was moored alongside the garden, from

the

entrance of

large

where
In

which, a walk led to a couple

shady mimosas that formed

all

visitors

short

my

puljlic

of

divan,

were received.

time

we had above ground sweet

ISMAILIA.

108

[chap. IV

melons, water-melons, pumpkins, cabbages, tomatoes,

cauliflowers, beet-root,

but

parsley,

of maize that I

had received from England, were

my

Against

destroyed during the voyage.

box had been hermetically

orders, the

Seeds should

be

was

larger seeds

the vitality of the

packed

simply

express

and

sealed,

entirely gone.

in

brown paper

as

usual

and secured in a basket.

The neighbouring country was,

White Nile

formed a mere fringe

beyond which

Although
forest,

all

there

species of

extent

of

large

to

the

small

were a

trees

" kook."

rowing boats, those

were very

steamers

of

timber for

useful

mimosa, named by the Arabs

of

but this

prairie.

"considerable

The only

AVe were very short

belonging

was a dearth

purposes.

building

was open

was

there

Forest

depth of about half a

for

river,

the

in

and uninteresting.

districts, flat

and bush clothed the banks of the

mile,

&c.,

the peas, beans, and a very choice selection

all

baojs

celery,

lettuce,

and

large

clumsy, and I wished to build a few handy dingies

that would be extremely useful for the next voyage

up the obstructions
fore instructed the

job in
forest

hand, and

they

of the

Bahr

Girafl'e.

there-

English shipwrights to take the

during

selected

several

ramble

through

trees.

These

the

were

CHAP.

ENGINEERS' WORKSHOPS.

IV.]

quickly

109

and the sawyers were soon at work

felled,

cutting planks, keels, and

It is a pleasure

for boat-building.

while

how

do

to

an Egyptian workman
a very short

In

it.

see English

to

mechanics at work in a w41d country

a job

wood

the necessary

all

they finish

is

considering

time Mr. Jarvis,

the head shipwright, had constructed an impromptu

several

an

with

workshop,

within the forest

roof,

sawyers were

of

sets

iron

at

work, and

in a

few days the keel of a new boat was laid down.

The chief mechanical engineer, Mr. McWilliam,

was engaged

weeks

and

in

this

uninhabited

few

steam saw-mills,

after

our

first

wilderness,

the

change appeared

In addition

magical.

up the

setting

in

to the

lono;

arrival

rows of white

and the permanent iron magazines, were hun-

tents,

dreds of neat huts arranged in exact lines

iron

in

workshop containing

and small

vertical

saw machine

blacksmith's bellows roared

of the

hammer and

anvil

in the

silent

of

forests

betokened

the

White

men who had

pean

education

brought

from

Egypt

next to this the

and the constant sound

were several good

mechanical

machines,

drilling

lathes,

a large

these

new

life

Tliere

Nile.

received a Euro-

among
were

those

had

now engaged

with the English engineers in repairing the engine

ISMAILIA.

110
No.

of the
piston.

10

during

next

our

crooked

long,

station

was

a field

The

good

The gar-

with vegetables, and

everything

Those

health.

if sick,

It

is

sample of the

fair

is

an

performed
prejudice,

upon

We

the

l)y
if

woman.

flat

station,

given

and

rise to

minds

to

die.

and

them

of

intelligence

deserted.

This

the

men

flat

mill-

among

should

always be

a very

is

ancient

found

the symbols

millstones of the ancient Egyptians.

Testament,

be grinding together

There

them, and

upon the usual

we may judge by

also hear in the

left."

spirit

unmanly task that

an

is

It

regiment of convicts

absurd prejudice

that the grinding of flour

stone

their

Some

of the Egyptian fellah.

There

my

morally.

into

spirit

made up

hoped that

be
a

any

instil

they at once

to

was not

to

been

trooj)s

Egyptians ap-

miserable

peared to be in a hopeless condition

was impossible

boat,

first

of industry.

would have been flourishing had the

in

bill-

was progressing, and the

feet

were green

now

tangled vege-

tlie

voyage.

about sixteen

dens

of very

prepared for cutting

]iooks to be

.entire

required

wliicli

number

ordered a

tation

steamer,

[chap. ]v.

was
the

"

shall

one shall be taken, the other

scarcity

women

of

grinding of the

much

two women

discontent had

in

our

corn would have

I

not experienced

CHAP.

SLAVE-HUNTIXG THE DIXKAS.

IV.]

myself with

corn-mills.

steel

erected for each

company

to the usual labour,

punishment
Although
soil,

cast)

lated

but

country,

by

men undcr

hours at the mill.

made on

troops, in

it

made

razzias

exceedingly rich

formerly

had

been

for slaves

addition to

(the

been

tlic

quite

Therjc

depopu-

had

raids

as

the sharp slave-hunters,

The

allies.

the extermination of the Dinka

incomprehensible

the

to

should

result

Shillook

It

natives

made

suddenly

turn

tlie

was almost

tril)e.

lately

government that had only

profession

side

a large scale, with several thousand

Baggara Arabs,

in

by the former and

Fashoda.

of

these-

always sentenced

This had

the river.

of

present governors

been

of

in addition

of troops,

country was

this

had one

was entirely uninhabited on our

it

Dinka

and

many

to so

and provided

former voyage,

in

this difficulty

Ill

seemed
that

slave-hunting
against

the-

slave-hunters.
I frequently

and wherever

rode on horseback about the country^

I

the general level,

found a spot slightly raised abovr

T

was sure

to discover quantities of

broken pottery, the vestiges of

villages,

a former time l)een numerous,

Tliere

game, but

now and

which had

was very

at

little

then ostriches were seen stalking

about the yellow plains of withered

grass,

(^n

one

ISMAILIA

112

[chap.

V.

occasion I was riding with Lieutenant Baker, accom-

panied by a few orderlies, when

distinguished the

They

forms of several ostriches at a great distance.

were feeding on the

to attempt an
telescope,

behind

plain where

flat

approach.

when

it

was hopeless

was just replacing

my

observed an ostrich emerge from

some bushes,

400

about

yards'

distance.

This was a male bird, by the black colour, and

it

appeared to be feeding towards the scattered bush

my

on

We

left.

were

concealed by the green

at

moment

the

immediately

foli^ige.

partially
dis-

mounted, and leaving the party behind the bushes,

I

ran

always concealed

quickly forward,

by the

thick thorns, until I thought I must be somewhere

M^ithin

unless the

shot,

and escaped without

cautiously and

slowly

had discovered

bird

my

me

now went

forward, stooping

under the

knowledge.

bushes when necessary, and keeping a good look-out

on

all

sides,

as

be somewhere

in

expected that
the bush.

At

round a clump of thick thorns,

racing
at

130

yards.

raised

of the Dutchman, and taking

the bird kept a perfectly
ostrich

at once

fell

ostrich

sighted the bird

straight

the

straight
so

from

me

150-yard sight

him very

with

must

length, as I turned

away with immense speed

about

The

the

steadily, as

course,

great

fired.

shock

CHAP.

SHOOT

IV.]

AN

OSTRICH.

113

upon the hard, parched ground, that the

full

of

130

stepped

feathers.

had struck

found that the bullet

centre of the back, killing

it

my

came up

to

orderly to

whistle,

camp

Although

to

this

was the

first

ever

bagQ:ed.

It

two thighs and

and

bring

have

paces,

and

bird in the

My

party

despatched a mounted
donkeys.

years

very fine
a

Africa,

in

ostrich that I

last

were

was

instantly.

many

been

was

the

men and

and the

legs

long

air

male,

have

and the

very fair load for a

strong donkey.
I

have

seen

accounts

erroneous

of

ostriches

designated as two varieties, the black and the grey.

The

black,

tail,

is

The
The

with

white feathers

in

simply the male, and the grey the female.

and

feathers of this l)ird were old

fat

much esteemed by

is

external application for

beetles,

and white rounded quartz-pebbles.

have come

from

a considerable

was neither rock nor pebble

On my

return

ostrich head

to

camp

I.

as

leaves of

\\\^o\\

trees,

The bird must

distance

as

there

in the neigbourhood.
I

carved

an

artificial

from a piece of wood, and made

head

an

found the

eyes with the neck of a wine bottle.

to stick this

in l)ud order.

Arabs

the

rheumatism.

stomach rich in scorpions,

VOL.

and

the wino-s

false

intended

a pole, concealed in a linen

I

ISMAILIA.

114

and to dress up

fishing-rod case,

plumes of
it

feathers.

ostrich

would be possible

by

[chap.

to

have no doubt that

would be carried

movements

left

hand,

and

ostriches

might

be easily imitated.

the

the

good
for

hand

left

rest

the

all

the

the

of

The

in

pole

in

on the ground would make a

rested

for

cap with thick

approach ostriches in grass

as the pole

this imitation,

my

IV.

rifle

when

the

moment

arrived

the shot.

Heavy

and the hitherto dry plains

rains set in,

became flooded and swampy, thus

opportunity to try

my

false

never had an

ostrich.

The Shillooks were now become our

The camp

friends.

crowded daily with natives who came

v/as

by water

from

with

soldiers.

the

firni

considerable

Like

all

distance

to

traffic

they were

negroes,

sharp traders, with a Jewish tendency in their bargains.

all

Their country consists simply of rich alluvial

therefore all iron

of great value.
this

of

kinds in exchangee for cotton manufactures and

iron.
soil,

They brought raw cotton and provisions

The

must be imported, and

best

articles of

country would be pieces

it

exchange

of WTOUght

iron

is

for

of

about four ounces in weight and six inches long,

and pieces of eight ounces, and

length.

Also

cotton

cloth,

known

eight
as

inches

grey

in

calico,

CHAP.

SHILLOOK COTTON AND TRADE.

IV.]

and other cheap manu-

together with white calico,

The cotton that

factures.

country

short

is

in

The Shillooks

tivate

large quantities of

but the latter

is

ashes.

hard

on

the

grind

natives,

grows perfectly

it

and

are very industrious,

thus

it

cul-

d hurra and some maize,

The grain

common

the

the

to

only used to eat in a green

roasted on the
to

indio-enous

is

but

staple,

wild.

115

of maize

state,

too

is

millstones

flat

of

seldom cultivated in any

is

portion of Central Africa on an extended scale.

gave

some good Egyptian cotton-seed

tives,

also the seed

of various

the

to

na-

European vegetables.

Tobacco was in great demand by the troops, and

considered

the

quality

by the

supplied

Shillooks

superior to that cultivated in the Soudan.

Although the camp was visited by hundreds of

including

natives,

^vomen,

their

daily,

there were

seldom any quarrels over the marketing, and when

a

disagreement took

fault of a

soldier,

and pleaded

place

to

pay.

rough-and-ready justice, and

was

natives,

much

was

credit,

an

officer

bazaar to prevent squabbles.

struck

afforded

the

adaiinistered

appointed

with

the

who appeared thoroughly

protection

generally

who took something on

inability

to superintend the

it

them, and the

honesty of

the

to appreciate the
fair

dealing inI

ISMAILIA.

116

upon on the part of the

sisted

was

700

about

which

This island

small

bank was thickly

miles

of

streams

on

through

island,

deep

cut

river

land

the

IV.

channels.

was separated from the main western

by a branch

shore

but

was only a large

several

The

troops.

wide,

j^ards

west shore

the

[chap.

of the

The west

Nile.

200

lined with villages for about

frontage

river

White

throughout

Shillook

the

country, thus affording admirable opportunities

direct trade with vessels

from Khartoum.

for

was a

It

tedious journey for the natives to visit us daily, as

they had to cross

then to

Nile,

first

carry their

about a mile,

for

river to arrive

has

often

at

of the

cork.

These

and again to

to

It

is

trees,

point,

thus

main

the

formed of

ambatch-wood, which

of the Wliite Nile,

and taper

cross

The Shillook canoe

our camp.

curious

branch of the

canoes across the island

been described.

pieces

swamps

their western

which
are

lonoj

lighter than

is

grow

the

in

thick at the base,

number

are

lashed

securely together, and the points are tied tightly with

cord,

so as to

form a bow.

These canoes or

rafts

generally convey two persons, and they are especially

adapted for the marshy navigation of the

can be carried on the head without
it

may

river, as

difficulty,

be necessary to cross an island or morass.

they

when

'

CHAP.

SHILLOOK HONESTY.

IV.]

Our native

from

canoes

these

soldiers trusted

take

complement

of

corn

with

it

their

to

honest

the

complaint

had a

never

The

prepare

to

the

returned

flour.

of

fleets

distance.

the trouble

and invariably

homes,

iu

their rations of corn to

The natives took

themselves.

daily

considerable

them with

rather than

grind,

arrived

traders

11

brought before m(^ of dishonesty when a Shillook

had been

have

hopes

great

the

Shillook

an assurance of good

The northern end

of the

as

fuel

durable

The

dan.

wood

rains

for

all

the

seasons.

rich in forests

is

wood

(Soont), a

steamers,

for

race.

Khartoum

to

of this country

Acacia Arahica

valuable
really

country

superb and can be navigated at

is

these

of

and protection to become a valuable

From
river

they simply require

people,
faith

trusted.

and

that

is

is

in-

only

the

ship-building in the Sou-

begin in

May, and

throughout four months, thus cotton

are

regular

may

be cul-

tivated without the expense of artificial irrigation

at

the

same time

the

i\vy

.summer

off"ers

an

in-

estimable advantage for gathering the crop.

Tlie
liavc

Dinka

country

on

the

east

been of equal value, but, as

described,

it

There was

bank

would

have already

has been depopulated.

an

old

bb'ud

sheik

who frequently

ISMAILIA.

118
us from the

visited

came

fellow

day with

other side, and

to an untimely

his son

[chap. IV.

end when returning one

from marketing at Tewfikeeyah.

was walking on the quay, when

and

motion,

fragments

of a

native

went

two

of

assistance

struggling in the water.

tonly

charged

the

mouth, together

who

canoe,

with

the

ambatch

were

many

men

who were

hippopotamus had wan-

and

seizing

poor

in

it

blind

old

and

man

old

so

comrades, he died

he was

durinij the

among

the

by

rescued

his

nio;ht.

As peace and confidence had been

established

frail

and lacerated the

crushed

although

that,

his

sheik,

could not avoid the danger, crunched the

boat to pieces,

the

which immediately

of

the

river,

the

Th^re

canoe.

canoes on the river, several

to

the

in

which was covered with

of

surface

heard a great com-

saw a splashing

poor old

this

Shillooks,

thoroughly

determined to

send for the governor of Fashoda, and to introduce

him personally
he had
sent for

my

officially

reported to be dead.

Quat Kare, and having informed

intention, I

five

old king, Quat Kare,

to the

miles),

whom

therefore
hiui

of

sent the steamer to Fashoda (sixty-

and invited the Koordi

to

pay me a

visit.

When

he arrived,

received

him beneath the

CHAP.

THE RESURRECTION OF QUAT RARE.

IV.

which

tree

my

formed

hiiu that he

must have been

after

we proceeded

liminary pipe and coffee,

I told

and

divan,

119
pre-

to business.

in error

when he

reported the death of the old king, as I had proved

him

be

to

He

alive.

still

replied that he did not

Quat Kare was in

believe the real

existence,

as he

had heard on the best authoritv that he was dead.

gave

an order

few minutes the

was

king
wives,

and

down

upon a carpet

takiufy

sons

stood

in

witli

sat

The king
manner,

dignified

down by

followers

his

his

most orderly

of

Koordi

the sliohtest notice of the

His two wives

governor.

by

accompanied

crowd

in

of the old

stately figure

including several of his sons.

"without

his

and

approaching,

seen

ministers,

retainers,

sat

tall

and

an aide-de-camp,

to

him,

few

but

yards

distant.

The
old

Koordi,

man, with

who was
a

remarkably handsome

snow-white

beard,

sat

equally

unmoved, smoking the long chibook, without apregarding

parently

chibook
mat.
puff,

is

If
puff,

in the

the

king or his

a most useful
the

situation

and the

is

people.

instrument for a diplodifficult,

he

can

incorrigible pipe will not

meantime, he considers a reply.

the pipe draws, a cloud of

The

smoke

issues

puff,

draw

At length
from the

"

ISMAILiA.

120
"

mouth.
diplomat,

beg your pardon," says

evidently

with

about

and having

"

ready

he

There

is

the

if

no necessity

conversation

unreal

little

his

talking

he

reply,

steady clouds,

in

of

has

calmly smoked, while

the

ceased,

the

the

facts

arranged in the owner's mind

of

lei-

other

side.

Even

may

pipe
the

case

before he

is

while

sudden reply.

for a too

IV.

embarrassed

The pipe then draws

arguments

the

to

listens

tlie

considered

smoke ascends

the

tlie

"what were we

pipe,

argument.

for

surely,

his

by

relieved

difficulty
?

[chap.

be
are

commits

himself to an answer.

In
the

the

present

nobody

instance

but

spoke,

Koordi governor of Fashoda smoked

steadily.

Presently Quat Kare fixed his eyes upon him with

and determined

a steady

immovable

features,

him during

and he thus
"

several minutes.

enemy

mine

"

king's idea, but he

How

long

continued

it

might

silently regarded

Have

found thee,

have been the Shillook

kept silence.
tableau

this
is

but with his usual

stare,

vivant

would

impossible to say, therefore

ceeded to business by asking the governor

knew Quat Kare by

At

this

position

reply,

sight

the

or expression,

He

said,

"

pro-

I
if

he

only replied " yes."

without

king,

have

altering

Then who

am

I ?

his

CHAP.

INTERVIEW WITH QUAT KARE.

IV.]

The Koordi

raised

eyes

his

Quat Kare,

and looked

at

only puffed

the

At length

the

for

" If you

why

where

Where

''

and captured
take

me,

all

my

considered that

my

people,

therefore

at

Fashoda?

and he

fixedly,

cattle

women and

the

are

you kidnapped

are

me

that you were alive."

him

Kare regarded

plied slowly,

cattle

known

should have

Quat

ably

Quat Kare, why did you hide yourself?

then

he

volume of smoke was emitted,

fair

did you not present yourself before

stole

not seem to draw well.

pipe did

and the Koordi answered by a question

are

time,

first

nothing

said

l^ut

121

children

if

you
that

you took

my

you might prob-

declined

that

re-

oppor-

the

tunity."

The Koordi
the long pipe

and

pufi'ed

did

not

vigorously,

but

something had

evi-

pufi"ed

cbaw

dently choked the tube.

It

would

dialogue,

be

tedious

to

describe

but there was no question that the old

Shillook king had the best of the argument

fore, after

whole

the

there-

a long discussion, during which the king

was continually prompted by

excited whispers

that

his favourite

every one could

wife, in

hear,

ex

amined both the governor and the king upon various

points; and came to the (inclusion

that the

gover

ISM A ILIA.

122

[chap.

nor was a great scoundrel, and

cunning fellow

at

been

and obtained a firman conferring the

Sheik of the

of

he had

The Koordi had reported him

shamefully treated.
as dead,

king a very

the

same time

tlie

iv.

title

upon an impostor, who

Shillooks

had been a grand enemy of Quat Kare.

Since that

time the adherents of Quat Kare had been subject

constant

to

was a

and

raids

who,

fugitive,

if

and the old king

pillage,

caught by the Koordi, would

assuredly have been quietly put out of the way.

decided

manner

the following
jurisdiction

the

that

be

settled

explained that

Shi Hook

the

in

must

affair

country,

had no

lield

Khedive

the

to

and

positive

suppress

the

special orders

slave

trade,

was

which

under the government of Ali Bey, the Koordi

as

in

but

of

the

had been

compelled to interfere and to release those captives

who had been thus

shamelessly

With

regard

to

the

country

instead

of

direct

would explain

his

With regard
death,
for his

there
rival

therefore

general

pillage

taxation,

the

of

the

governor

conduct to the Khedive.

the

could be

Jangy

Khedive under
I

to

kidnapped.

false

false

report of Quat Kare's

no doubt that the

firman

had been obtained from the

pretences.

recommended

Quat

Kare

and

his

CHAP.

CASE REFERRED TO THE KHEDIVE.

IV.]

123

sons to go direct to Khartoum, and plead his cause

the

at

divan

of

governor-general

within his jurisdiction.

send an

and

official

also

I also

included

whole

affair

explained that

Pacha, describing the

and the

of the Shillook country,

state

the

was

should

despatch to the Khedive of Egypt,

Djiaffer

to

the

thus,

was

which

Soudan,

the

country

Shillook

the

of

who

Pacha,

Djiaffer

general

special case

Quat Kare, with a direct report upon the kid-

of

napping of

slaves

by the government's representa-

tive.

At
his

same time,

the

people that

the

assured

natives

country.

and
I

to

this

develop

the

thus, all hostilities

for

further

was

to protect

resources

of

the
the

persuaded the Koordi and Quat Kare

become friends and

to

Kare and

Khedive had only one object

forming a government

in

Quat

at

once to declare

peace

having ceased, the responsibility

disturbance

would

rest

him who

with

should recommence a breach of the peace.

I

king to forget the past,

advised the Shillook

where there had evidently been a mistake, and he

should

trust to

who would

his

application

speedily give

him

to

Djiaffer

justice.

Pacha,

The Shillook

king then replied, without moving a muscle of his

features,

" If

forget the

past,

what

is

to

become

ISMAIMA.

124
of

all

me

my

cattle

he going to return them,

Is

and forget the past

himself,

IV.

Koordi has stolen from

the

tliat

[chap.

keep them

my

forget

can't

or

cows."

This practical

was

question

The Koordi's pipe was out

his

and

seat

master

answer.

to

he therefore rose from

leaving the stoical Quat Kare

retired,

of his

difficult

but

position,

not of his

cattle.

advised him to say nothing more until he

Pacha, and he would receive

see Djiaffer

should
a

direct

reply from the Khedive,

Quat Kare, with

general

retinue,

wives and daughters and

his

determined

pass

to

night

the

in

our station.
therefore

their

entertainment.

Cashmere

scarf, also

countenance
as

he

relaxed

took leave,

to

the

be

killed

king

for

large

one of red printed cotton, and

bells,

His

anklets.

as

ox

gave

a dozen small harness

arranged

an

ordered

into

and the

which he immediately
usually
smile

bells

unchangeable
of

satisfaction

tinkled

at

every

footstep as he departed.

Quat Kare never

of

his people,

eats

or

but his food

within a hut or to a lonely

On

the

drinks in the presence

is

taken to him either

tree.

following morning both the governor of

CHAP.

IV.

IN SIGHT.

iSAIL

125

Fashoda and the old king returned

to

their respec-

tive homes.

On

10th May, a

the

the

sentries

in

had any

intelligence of

The people
were under
direct to

None

south.

my

Kutchuk

of

was reported by the

sail

of

the

station at Tewfikeeyah.

Ali,

on the Bahr

we had

impression that

the

Khartoum.

slave-traders

was rather curious

Giraffe,

returned
to

know

whether they Avould presume to send slaves down

the

White Nile during

Khedive had sent me expressly

I

could

knowing that the

this season,

to suppress the trade.

not believe that the

Koordi (governor of

Fashoda would have the audacity to allow the

passage

of slave

vessels after

that had beeu given.

this governor

the

Although

stringent orders

had beard that

had amassed a considerable fortune by

per head for every slave

the establishment of a

toll

that passed Fashoda,

imagined that he would

year

free

make up

mind

his

this

that the rich harvest was

over.
If

slave

any

vessels

should

cargoes, they

attempt to descend

must

jjass

my new

which they were ignorant, and the

the complicity

of the governor

would substantiate
concerning

his

all

fact

of

wilh

station,

the

of

would prove

Fashoda, as

the reports that

connivance

with

it

had heard

slave-traders.

ISMAIL! A.

126

The

strange

now

sail

[chap.

reported

was rapidly

iv.

ap-

Khartoum, without the

proaching on her route to

slightest suspicion

that a large military station was

established within

four miles of the Sobat junction.

was

guilty, she

If

approaching the jaws

thus

of

the lion.

As she neared the

station,

she must

have

covered the long row of masts and yards of the

Of

moored alongside the quay.

disfleet

these she appeared to

take no notice, and keeping well in the middle of the

river, she

would have passed the

tinued on her voyage.

and

at once

When

and con-

This looked very suspicious,

her to halt.

sent a boat to order

was

she

-station,

brought

alongside,

my

sent

trusty aide-de-camp. Colonel Abd-el-Kader, on board

make

to

innocent.

She was

necessary inquiries.

the

quite

The captain and the vakeel (agent and

commander

of station) were

amazed

at

my

thinking

She

had a

quantity of corn on board, stowed in bulk.

There

was not a person beside the crew and a few

soldiers

necessary

it

to

from Kutchuk

search

their

vessel.

All's station.

The vakeel was the same whom

the

station

at

given advice
slaves

down

the

Bahr

Giraffe, to

that he should not

the river again.

had seen

whom

at

had

attempt to send

All was in order.

The

CHAP.

DISCOVERT OF SLAVES.

IV.]

belonged

"vessel

manded
Pacha

Kutchuk

to

127

who

Ali,

now com-

the government expedition sent by Djiaffer

Bahr Gazal.

the

to

was laden with

She

ivory beneath the corn, which was for the supply

the crew and soldiers.

of

Abd-el-Kader was an

Colonel

he was

one of

interest

in

me

He was

of six feet high,

"

by

ment

reflecting

This

society.

innocence,

his debased

officer

of

awkward

forecastle

smell

but extremely

compli-

bitter

taste for

Christian

to neglect a

Kutchuk Ali protested

She appeared suspiciously

homeward

There

bound.

about the closely-boarded

which resembled that of unwashed negroes.

Abd-el-Kader drew a
rifle,

served

and exhibited the apparently naked

corn for a boat

was an

a great

man, upwards

was not the man

character of his vessel.

full

as

officers,

because the agent of

search
his

on

active,

generally called " the English-

brother

his

took

a fine powerful

and not only

He was

determined.

who

officer

expedition, and he always

the

faithfully.

man

exceptions

the

excellent

steel

ramrod from a

and probed sharply through the

soldier's

corn.

smothered cry from beneath, and a wriggling

among

the corn, was succeeded by a woolly head, as

the

strong

arm

into the

Abd-el-Kader, having
grain,

dragged

forth

thrust his

long

by the wrist a

ISMAILIA.

128
nesro woman.

The corn was

planks which

np

boarded

stern were broken

up

the

and the

and women,

girls,

The

sail

who under

attached

closely

the fear

thus

silent until

to

and heavy

of the vessel appeared full

the

mainyard

in

the lower

was examined, and upon unpacking,

this

yielded a

removed

forecastle

had remained perfectly

discovered.

the

like herrings in a barrel

of threats

part

at once

down, and there was a mass of

humanity exposed, boys,

packed

[chap. IV.

young woman who

it

had thus been sewn

to avoid discovery.

The

case

was immediately reported

to me.

We

once ordered the vessel to be unloaded.

covered one hundred and
in a

fifty

most inconceivably small

when

horrible
in irons

tliey

began

at

dis-

away

slaves stowed

The stench was

area.

to

move.

Many

these were quickly released by the

smiths, to the astonishment of the captives,

were
black-

who

did

not appear to understand the proceeding.

I

ordered the

and the

vakeel,

reis or

the vessel, to be put in irons.

The

comprehend that

their

were

They now began

to speak,

the greater

had been

Having

portion

killed

captors

of

the

captain of

slaves began to

now

captives.

and many declared that

men

of

their

villages

by the slave-hunters.

weighed

the

ivory

and

counted

the

CHAP.

WHOLESALE matrimony:

17.]

had the

tusks, I

an

with a guard

officer

Khartoum
I

vessel reloaded

and having placed

board,

to be confiscated as

sent her

to

a slaver.

ordered the slaves to wash, and issued clothes

from the maofazine

On
and

on

129

for

following

the

the naked women.

day

inspected the

explained to them their exact position.

and

were free

people,

reasonable

distance

not, they

if

they should

would make

to

their necks.

hollow

Their

reed

there

the regiments

in

capital husbands.

in a

If

clothed.

marry,

who

gave each person

freedom, signed by myself

a paper of

contained

young men

generally useful,

which they would be fed and

fine

at

be returned.

any of the women wished

were many

They

homes were

their

make themselves

must

in return for
If

captives,

This was

and suspended round

names, approximate age, sex,

and country were registered in a book corresponding

with the numbers on their papers.
These arrangements occupied the whole morning.
In the afternoon
asked the

would wish
the

women

whether any

officer

to

be married,

wished

Having

again inspected them.

to

he

marry,

of

the

replied

negresses

that

all

and that they had

already selected their husbands!

This
VOL.

was wholesale matrimony, that required a

I.

ISMAILIA.

130

[chap. IV.

church as large as Westminster Abbey, and a whole

company

of clergy

matters

Fortunately,
Africa.

arranged

briefly

are

in

saw the loving couples standing hand

Some

in hand.

my

and

of the girls were pretty,

black troops had shown good taste in their selection.

Unfortunately, however, for the Egyptian regiment,

the black

ladies

had a strong antipathy

men, and the suitors were

very awkward

afiair.

all

The

was obliged

having received

ladies

woman's

rights."

limit the matrimonial engage-

to

who were

ments, and those

This was a

refused.

their freedom, at once asserted "

brown

to

for

condemned

a time

to single blessedness were placed in charge of certain

officers to

perform the cooking for the troops and other

domestic work.

some

the boys

divided

apprenticed
regiment,

and blacksmith's work

to

tailors,

shoemakers,

nice

little

three years old, without parents,

my

in

&c.,

selected

girl,

of

the
as

about

was taken care of

wife.

When

We

were

others

while the best looking were

domestic servants.

there

classes

gave to the English workmen to be instructed

in carpenter's

by

into

is

feel

slaves

always a
this

are

liberated

difficulty

in

in providing

dilemma when our

numbers

large

for

cruisers

them.
capture

CHAP.

LITTLE MOOSTOORA.

IV.]

Arab

clliows

on the

east coast of

government becomes responsible

foundlings.

It

generally

is

return tbem to their

them

by which they can earn

their

is

boys have

their

military

life

choice, they

and

I believe

any young savage,

strict discipline,

and

as he

it
is

an

influx

of

impossible

to

for

own homes,

and our

Africa,

Cjiiite

to instruct

can be done

181

all

that

useful

work

therefore

in

some

invariably

the

If

livelihood.

desire

is

the best school for

at

once placed under

which teaches him habits of order

The

obedience.

girls,

those

like

of

countries, prefer marriage to regular domestic

nevertheless, if kindly treated,

of authority, they

make

other

work

wdth a due amount

any rough

fair servants for

employment.

AVhen female children are about

they are

most

esteemed by the

old

five years

slave-dealers,

as

they can be more easily taught, and they grow^ up

with an attachment to their possessors, and in fact

become members of the family.

Mostoora,

Little

the

was an exceedingly
and

although

she

three years old, she

of doul)le

had

her age.

beautifully

taken by

my

wife,

specimen of

her

race,

more

than

child

clever

was

certainly

not

was quicker than most children

With an ugly
shaped

figure,

little

and

face, she

possessed

132

ISMAILIA.

power of muscle that

of that

child

quarters

IV.

have never seen in a white

Her

age.

[chap.

had

lot

in pleasant

fallen

she was soon dressed in convenient clothes

and became the pet of the family.

On June

17,

Khartoum with

divan of

the

at

steamer

the post, together with

Quat Kare, who were

of

No.

the

sent

The

Pacha.

Djiaffer

sons

three

to represent their

to

father

man

old

declined the voyage, pleading his age as an excuse.

Mr.

Wood

as his health required an

also returned,

On

immediate change to Egypt.

Kutchuk

named
had

from the

arrived

vessels

Assaballa, from the

slaves

by some

Khartoum, that
Sobat,

on

vessels
I

Ali, thus

the Bahr Giraffe

had

that

had formed a

received

four
Djoor.

latter

others

gone

up from
near

station

had

the

they had landed their slaves at

The Bahr Gazal

station.

having arrived from a different

On

The

The

board.

a trader

to

Bahr Gazal.

to

and had captured the vessel and slaves of

Kutchuk

cargo,

two belonging

and one

one to Agad,

Ali,

thirty-five

heard,

south,

four

25th,

the

the

information.

and liberated the

direction

seized

the

vessel

had not
boat

and

slaves.

board the diahbeeah of Kutchuk Ali were

musicians,

Their

natives

of

Pongo,

band consisted

of

on

two

the

river

iron

bells,

CHAP.

PONGO MUSICIANS.

IV.]

and an instrument made

flafreolet,

133
bard wood

of

that was arranged like the musical glasses of Europe.

The

was formed of ten pieces

latter

of a metallic

sounding-wood suspended above long narrow gourd

Each piece of wood produced a separate

shells.

and the instrument was played by four

note,

sticks,

the ends of which were covered with india-rubber.

The general

effect,

was superior

The

most native attempts at music.

to

time

south

it

had now assumed an

of Tewfikeeyah

station

important aspect,
the

although a savage kind of harmony,

should

and

much

arrive

our

for

would be abandoned

regretted

departure

however,

hands employed, as there

to keep all

demoralizing

to

troops

as

trusted

all

of the

allowance to be

dangerous

disorders,

malaria of the
selves

in

Bahr

made

fatal

to

the

determined

At the same

inaction.

expedition,

something might happen that

that

attempt to

would prevent another

marshes

when

nothing so

is

time there was a general dislike to the

and

that

Giraffe.

penetrate

The seeds of

for this feelino-.

that

had been

much

was

There

the

sown by the

swamps, had now exhibited themattacks

of

dysentery, that

quickly

formed a cemetery at Tewfikeeyah.

The Egyptian troops were generally

dispirited,

and

went

to

their

daily

sickly

work

and
in

ISMAILIA.

134

slouching, dogged manner, tliat

[chap. IV.

showed

their passive

hatred of the employment.

I

arrane^ed

that

the

should

sailors

cultivate

piece of ground with corn, while the soldiers should

manner

be employed in a similar

The

tion.

sailors

were

in another posi-

Nubians, or the natives

all

of Dongola, Berber, and the countries bordering the

the

These

Soudan.

Nile

in

same

class as the

slave-hunter companies,

hated work and preferred a

order by

into

over which
of vessels

men who

of indolence, loung-

life

ing sleepily about their vessels.

fellows

were of the

people

dividing

quickly got these

them

into

gangs,

placed separate headmen, the captains

one superior

officer

commanded, and was

responsible for the whole.

They only worked

simple organization
cleaned.

hours daily, but by this

six

soon had thirty acres of land

The grass and

roots were burnt in piles,

the ashes spread, and the entire field was dug over

and sown with barley, wheat, and dhurra.

There

a civilizing influence in cultivation, and nothing

so cheering in a wild country as the

arranged

green

fields

that

centre of the neglected

promising

little

are

farm of about thirty

ing to our naval brigade

is

sight of well-

flourishing

wilderness.

is

in

the

had now a

acres belong-

and a very unpromising

CHAP.

AGRICULTURAL ENEMIES.

IV.]

managed by

farm, that bad been

The

Bey.

soldiers

native

grass

up tbe

soil

foot, into

my

135

colonel,

Raouf

bad never even cleared the rougb

from

tbe

in small lots

bad turned

but

surface,

of about a

at intervals

wbicb tbey bad carelessly dropped a few

grains of corn.

We now
unexpected.

found

enemies

ao-ricultural

were

tbat

Guinea-fowl recognised tbe importance

of cultivation, and created terrible damage.

Small

birds of tbe sparrow tribe infested tbe newly-sown

land in clouds, but worse tban tbese enemies were

tbe vast armies of great ants.

Tbese industrious

future, discovered tbe

and

considering

newly-sown barley and wbeat,

tbat sucb

not be neglected, tbey

an

literally

opportunity sbould

marcbed

off

witb tbe

was

exposed.

saw tbem on many occasions returning

in count-

greater
I

providing for tbe

insects, ever

less

of

portion

numbers

from

mouth a grain

tbe

seed

foray,

tbat

eacb

of barley or wbeat.

carrying in
I

tracked them

which

to their subterranean nests, in one of

its

found

about a peck of corn which bad been conveyed by

separate grains

and patches of land had been

left

nearly barren of seed.

The
Nile

large

quickly

crimson-headed
discovered

that

goose

of

barley

White

the

was

food

ISMAILIA.

136

[chap.

IV.

well adapted for the physical constitution of geese,

and great numbers flocked

new

to the

The

farm.

guinea-fowl were too wild to approach successfully

however,

we

shot

them

scream from daylight

of

small birds

to sleep,

daily.

till

set

boys to

little

sunset to scare the clouds

but the boys screamed themselves

and the sparrows quickly discovered the

incapacity of

Wild fowl

watchers.

the

were

so

numerous on an island opposite the farm that we

not only shot them as

we

required, but on one oc-

casion Lieutenant Baker

and myself bagged

two

clucks

hours

most

of

found the necessity of re-sowing the land

so

which were
I

and

in about

sixty-eight
sino;le

shots in

flio;ht

geese,

overhead.

thickly that there should be sufficient grain to allow

for the depredations

traps

of our enemies.

and caught the guinea-fowl.

enemy appeared

in the

wild

guinea-fowls

of the

traps.

out

close to

tracks

of

the

the traps, and

vermin

set

Then the natural

who took

cats,

were suspected of stealing the

mistakable

At

first

birds,

wild

cats

the

the

men

but the un-

were

found

shortly after the wily cats

themselves became victims.

These

were generally

of the genus Herpest7'is.

When

the

crops,

having resisted

many

enemies,

appeared above ground, they were attacked by the

'

CHAP.

AN " AGRICULTURAL

IV.]

STRIKE."

These

numbers.

mole crickets in formidable

137
de-

structive insects lived beneath the small solid clods

and issuing

of earth,

young shoot

night, they bit

forth at

The garden

the point of extreme sweetness.

terribly

from these

rows of cucumber
I

There

Egypt.

country, and

Some
men,

patience

Egyptian

were

creatures

pigheaded

ized

labour

refused to

Egyptian

of

dravv^

that

hard,

with

were

passive

bullocks

required.

were good plough-

that

for

cattle.

strike."

for-

a
to

long

time

the

civil-

They

steadily

strike

They had not conalso,

hippopotamus-hide

the

forcible

than a " lock-out."

in the

first

the ploughs, and they determined

we could

more

is

conversion

at

upon an "agricultural
sidered

the

but the bullocks of the country

attempts

all

throughout"

difficulty in

soldiers

merly accustomed

resisted

used

are

employment they had been

which

to

These we^e^^^,'^V

Cairo.

of agricultural enterprise in a wild

much

my

of

always a

is

commencement

suffered

plants.

implements that

native

at

which destroyed whole

insects,

had brought ploughs from

the

parent grain

off close to the

clean

the

However,

lying

resistance

appeal

that

to
this

and

whips,
their

contest

down, and thus

could

not

tolerably

be

which
feelings

ended

offering a

overcome.

ISMAILIA.

1.38

There

and

justice,
all

nothing

is

as

tractable

arbitration to

was

the

be eaten

to

pure

obtain

arbitrator,

IV.

ordered

as rations

by

few animals at length became fairly

and we

like

bullocks

refractory

the troo23S.

[chap.

had

couple

ploughs

of

work, but the result was a series of

furrows

zio-zao;

that more resembled the indiscriminate

at

ploughings

of a herd of wild boar than the effect of an agri-

Nothing

cultural implement.
at the

of

my

but the whole

first

affair forcibly

The mean temperature

fikeeyah

the

earlier.^

station

of

Tew-

73^^^^

at ISToon

Q2^^

June, at 6 a.m.

72^

,,

Noon 86j^

at

July, at G A.M. 7 1
at

During

Fahrenheit

at 6 a.m.

Noon

May we had

June
>>

at

moun-

had been

In the month of May,

reminded

agricultural enterprise on the

Ceylon twenty-five years

tains of

ever go straight

commencement, therefore the ploughs naturally

went crooked

me

will

July

1^(5-

81

heavy rain during 3 days.

heavy

lig^it

11

14

light

heavy

10

liglit

7 days.

See " Eight Years' Wanderings in Ceylon," published by Long-

man &

Co.

CHAP.

SUDDEN FALL OF THERMOMETER.

IV.]

139

Sickness increased proportionately with the increase

of

raiu,

by

the

owing
heavy

sometimes

fall

to

occasioned

chills

The thermometer would

showers.

rapidly to 68" Fahr. during a storm

of rain, accompanied

the cloud.

sudden

the

by a cold

Fortunately

rush

of

au'

from

had provided the troops

with blankets, which had not been included in their

kit

by the authorities

at

Khartoum.

CHAPTER

V.

EXPLORATION OF THE OLD WHITE NILE.

HAD long

or

determined to explore

since

obstructions of the

discovering

main

new

some

Nile,

passage

had forced through the

which the

vegetation.

closely connected

had promised

accompany me, and

necessary
started on

guides.

The

river

sudd,

hope of

in tlie

named Abdullah,
to

tlie

stream
Shillook,

with Quat Kare,

was

to supply the
full

thus

11th August 1870.

The engines of the No. 10

steamer

had been

thoroughly repaired during our stay at Tewfikeeyah.

I
*'

had

loaded her to the

maximum

Soont " {Acacia Arahica\ which

is

with well-cut
the best fuel

and knowing, by the experience of former

that

Gazal,

scarcity
I

of

wood

had loaded

one

existed
of

the

near

the

largest

years,

Bahr
vessels

(about seventy tons) with the best wood, to accom-

THE BAUR QAZAL.

CHAP, v.]

pany us

as a tender.

with selected

We

had

141

my

also filled

diahbeali

fuel.

steamed

from

hours

thirteen

Tewfikeeyah,

with the tender and diahbeah in tow, and reached

beyond the Bahr

the old sudd about twelve miles

Giraffe junction.

The water below the sudd was

quite clear from floating vegetation, as

through this extraordinary obstruction.

filtered

not fatigue the reader by a description

will

AVe were as usual in a chaos of

of this voyage.

We

marshes.

found a small channel, which took

us to the Bahr Gazal.

lacustrine

seen

last

lakes,

river
it

was

This

swampy and

much changed

in 186.5.

It

since

was

the

the

still

the

third

Upon

river.

remarked

as

had

exit,

except the main

the actual

is

Gazal.

This

even

through wliich we steamed for several hours,

passage coming from the west, which

this

stagnant

was now a succession of

but without discovering any

Bahr

had been

it

total

more

river

the

time

that

former

absence

of

had

occasions

current

visited
I

this

had

was

remarkable at the present time,

was not only

full,

but the surface,

formerly clogged and choked with dense rafts of

vegetation,

of

the

was now

lakes

clear.

and main

sounded the depth

channel,

which

gave

ISMAIL'iA.

42

remarkable mean of seven

been

not

subjected

perfectly

the

*to

that would have caused

throughout,

feet

was

bottom

ing that the

[chap. v.

and had

flat,

any stream

of

action

shov/-

inequalities in the surface

of the ground.

When
the

that

must

marsh grass

into

streams,

There

Gazal.

and

the
is

south-west

nevertheless,

some stream, however

Nile

Djour,

My

that

little

by

the

and

other

Bahr

the

of

by the immense

from the

affluents

should

have

expected

with

at the junction

slight,

experience of the Bahr Gazal assures

or

no water

extraordinary

is

given to the

series

of

White

lakes

swamps, which change the appearance of the

face

the

great drain upon

is

by the

subscribed

the Nile.

appeared

no doubt that the evaporation,

spongy vegetation,

the

away

carries

regions

lacustrine

the volume

me

which

by the

of

concealed by the

outlet

the absorption of water

also

area of

exist,

down

brought

water

has always

It

filth

proving

thus

alongside,

some western

the

anchor,

at

of stream.

absence

me

lay

vessels

remained

ships

total

to

the

from year to year,

like

the

and
sur-

shifting phases of

a dream.

Our lamented
pletely

in

error

traveller,

when

he

Livingstone,

conjectured

was comthat

the


CHAP,

THE BAER GAZAL.

v.]

Lualaba that

large river

west of

Nile Basin,

of the

Congo.

was

The Lualaba

Bahr Gazal.

the

had discovered south-

lie

Tangaii}dke lake

the

143

an

affluent

west

far to the

is

and may possibly flow

of

the

to

have shown in former works, in describ-

ing the system of the Nile, that the great affluents

of that river invariably flow from the south-east

Atbara, Blue Nile, Sobat

vide, the

which

very inferior to

is

the

and the Asua,

three

great

rivers

named.

We
toria

have lastly the Victoria Nile

N'yanza,

same

the

following

flowing from the south-east to

This proves that the

Basin
is

Vic-

principle,

and

the Albert N'yanza.

direct drainage

from the south-east

is

the

of

to

of the

Nile

the north-west

it

therefore probable that, as the inclination of the

country

is

towards the west,

escape from

same

in the

On

lake

we

in

been absent ten days,

we had been very hard

the

unhealthy

at

work,

marshes of the Bahr

returned hopelessly to Teewfikeyah.

The great

river Nile

was

become a swamp, similar

Bahr

be some

direction.

which

exploring

may

marshes of the P)ahr Gazal

21st August, having

during

Gazal,

the

there

Giraff*e.

It

to

entirely lost,

and had

the condition

of the

was impossible to guess the ex-

ISMAILIA.

144
tent of

the obstruction

but

[ciiAP. V.

was confident

tliat

would be simply a question of time and labour

it

to

clear

below the stream.

would

the

clear

not

of the current

Bahr

It

Giraffe

breadth

of huge

if

would be impossible

to

channel

of

as
to

there

was

permit

the

occupying the

of vegetation

rafts

once

to

permanently,

surface of perhaps an acre

the Nile,

might be restored

river

beautiful

sufficient

escape

The great power

condition.

original

its

working from

work, and with proper management

assist the

this formerly

l)y

channel

original

tlie

but the great width of

with

opened, together

the

mense power of the stream, would, with a

annual

assure

inspection,

the

imlittle

permanency of the

work.

came

to

that

important

Avork

hand,

in

as

it

annex and attempt to

useless

to

Africa,

unless

free

My

could be opened.

exploration,

Higginbotham, had proved that

impossible
therefore

to
I

expe-

to take this

would be quite
Central

civilize

communication existed with

been ably assisted by Lieutenant

river,

special

by which a commercial

outer world

was

must be sent from Khartoum

dition

the

conclusion

the

penetrate

must make

in

channel

which

had

Baker and Mr.

for the present it

south by the main

all

preparations

for

ILLNESS OF DR. OEDGE.

CHAP, v.]

an advance by the Balir

our

that

past

Giraffe,

145

where

might have in some

hibour

hoped

degree

improved the channel

The

August showed a mean temperature

close of

of 73x0 at

6.

and 85

A.M.,

Fahrenheit

at

noon,

with seven days of heavy and seven of light

Although
climate
th

Dr.

the

acted

September

Khartoum,

admirably

unfavourably upon

was necessary

it

my

Gedge,

was

station

medical

the

rain.

drained, the

On

people.

for the unfortunate

to

return to

as his state of health required

immediate

chief

officer,

change.

Just as the diahbeeah was leaving the station, a

arrived

vessel

received

from the Bahr Gazal, by which

a letter

Schweinfurth.

unknown

from the German

This gentleman, to

traveller,

whom

Dr.

was quite

had the extreme courtesy and

personally,

generosity to intrust

me

with

all

the details of his

geographical observations, collected in his journey in

the Western Nile Basin.
It

was necessary

Khartoum

to

for

me

to return personally to

assure myself that

my

should be carried out without delay.

mined that the expedition should

arrangements
I

had

deter-

start for the south

from Tewfikeeyah on 1st Dec, at which time the Nile

would be
VOL.

I.

full,

and the wind strong from the north.

L

ISMAIHA.

146

As Tewfikeeyali
tance from

"u^as

Khartoum

we should have time

nearly

[chap. V.

way

lialf

to Gonclokoro,

in actual disI

to accomplish the

ting through the marshes,

trusted that

work

of cut-

and be enabled to pass

the shallows before the river should begin to

I

to

therefore

Mr. Higginbotham

sent

engage vessels;

followed

to

fall.

Khartoum

on 15th September,

my

with the No. 10 steamer towing

diahbeeah

and

ten empty vessels to bring up a supply of corn.

We

reached

Khartoum on 21st

Sept. at 9.30 a.m.,

and population,

to the astonishment of the governor

who

could not understand

why

had returned.

now met

for the first

who was

to

man had

been intrusted by the Empress of the French

time the Vicomte de Bizemont,

accompany the

expedition.

This gentle-

with a very gracious token of her interest in the

expedition,

which he presented

Majesty to

my

wife.

as

now heard

gift

from her

for the first time

the startling news of the war between France and

Prussia.

found Dr. Gedge

alive,

but in a deplorable

was impossible

him

state of health.

It

north, therefore

he was carefully attended by the

Greek physician to the

forces.

for

to travel

Dr. Georgis.

once saw that there was no hope of recovery.

at

Mr.

Higginbotham had been exceedingly kind and attentive to

his wants.

CHAP,

NO MEANS OF TRANSPORT.

v.]

was very

well

Pacha, the governor-general,

Djiafler

the work

was

all

my

vessels

were forthcoming.

thirty

Thus,

transport

the

was

&c.,

tend

all

some

over

order,

years,

now

the

The

Cairo.

the cataract

steamers

fifteen
;

thus,

large
I

Only

had expected
to

indispensable

for

Gondokoro.
of

com-

direct

move

Instead

animals,

stores,

would ex-

the operation

for

Hio;o:in-

impossible

transport

material,

friend,

arrival.

by a general

the simple reason that

the government had not the

Even

Mr.

from

steamers

the

travelling

in

were

that

expedition

with

south

of

be

very heart-breaking.

the

pleting

would again

camels

the

transport

This

it

old

but as usual

and

behind-hand,

in despair until

botham had been

seven

my

by

received

147

means of

transport.

had

not

arrived

from

sloops

had

failed to

pass

was reduced

to the miserable

open vessels of Khartoum, and even these were of

an inferior description and few in number.
tunately

had brought ten empty

For-

vessels with

me

from Tewfikeeyah, otherwise we should not have had

sufficient transport for the necessary

However, now that

move

a little faster.

had

noon,

94.

Wind,

arrived, things

north.

began to

entry in

my journal,

Thermometer,

6 a.m., 80;

I find this

dated " 1st October, 1870.

supply of corn.

The

fact of

my
L 2

having

ISMAILIA.

148

[chap. v.

Agad with

captured the boats of Kutchuk Ali and

slaves on board, has determined a passive, bnt stul3-

born resistance in Khartoum to the expedition.

is

shared by the

"Although

him

requesting

This

officials.

wrote to Djiaffer Pacha months ago

to send

me

thirty vessels, there

not

is

one actually ready, neither are there more than seven

to be

The

journey.

the

Even

obtained.

these are

shall

appears to be

object

such delay as shall throw

not prepared for

me back

cause

to

until the river

be too low for the passage of the Bahr Giraffe.

" October

2.

wrote an

official letter to Djiaffer

Pacha, protesting against delay, and reminding him

of the Khedive's instructions."

The only authority who,

believe,

highly intellectual and clever man.

President of the

many

more

is

Council, and

He

years.

European

in

real

who

in the expedition is Ismail Bey,

interest

during

takes

This Bey

is

the

is

have known him

speaks excellent French, and

his

ideas

my

any of

than

acquaintances.^

The

action

ceedings

of

distasteful
^

to

that

the
the

had

taken

Fashoda

governor of

Khartoum

Since this was -written Ismail

governor of the Khartoum province.

against

public.

Bey

lias

become

the

was

pro-

very

much
Paclia,

re-

and

is

CHAP,

THE CURTAIN

v.]

gretted the

necessity,

otlierwise.

This

Djiaffer

Pacha,

the

Koordi

as

but

RISES.

could not have acted

complication

most

in

my

placed

unpleasant

Fashoda was

of

149

friend,

position,

employe

his

it

would therefore appear that no great vigilance had

been

by the governor-general

exercised

toum, and suspicions might

and

character

been

have

known

previously

aroused

be

Khar-

that

the

Fahsoda governor must

of the

acts

at

Khartoum

the

to

authorities.

The

curtain

which

of

facts

beQ;an

many months
toum.

trader

contract

with

exclusive

when

of the

have

right

of tradinsj

thousand

This

square
I

was

countries;

annex
that

the

informed

Khar-

comjDrised

Thus,

miles!

about
at

the

by the Khedive

establish

Basin,

be

him

gave

throughout certain

employed

Nile

were to

which

area

to suppress the slave trade, to

to

certain

White Nile (Agad) had a

government,

same time that

and

been

arrived at

first

the

countries.

ninety

to

and disclosed

heard from Mr. Higginbotham that the

distant

oui^ht

ago,

principal

the

to rise,

the

annexed

commerce,

White Nile
had

already

been leased by the governor-general of the Soudan

for

several

thousand pounds

sterling

per ainium,

together witli the monopoly of the ivory trade.

ISMAILi'A.

150

country that was

[chap. V.

no way connected with

in

had no more au-

and over which Egypt

Egypt,

England has over China, had actually

thority than

been leased out to adventurers of the

merchants

as

known

the

to

greatest

Khartoum,

at

be thrown in the eyes

brated for dust

the Soudan

filled

should

else

is little

but dust,

My

eyes had evidently

it

was only

return from Tew^kyeeah that

covered that which should have been made

the expedition.

Sheik Agad,
as

arrival

first

who had

mediator,

great hardship.

from Cairo

was the trader and

It

and

then

he

He had

monopoly of the
started

as

leased to him,
as

man

Avho

traders

he

to

dis-

known

command

lessee,

Achmet

applied to Mr. Higginbotham

stated

Thus,

case

of

in

if

he paid rent

and the government

ivory,

ivory

would be

rented

clearly

paid annually about 3000^.

for the sole right of trading.

for

cele-

is

allowance for the

with Khartoum dust, for

me upon my

the

after

but Egypt

we must make some

now upon my

to

the

of

dust

Khedive,

of the

blindness of the authorities.

been

such

that

had given

stringent orders he

therefore

slave-hunters

well

renown.

was hardly credible

It

thoroughly

but

as

authorities

known

class

in

in the

cow

the

country

same position

at a fixed

sum

per

CHAP,

week,
a

A HARD CASE.

v.]

but

right
It

rate,

owner,

tlie

151

nevertheless,

upon

insisted

her milk.

to

would be a hard case upon the traders

any

at

even should they trade with equal rights to the

government.
There was no actual bartering of merchandise for
ivory,

neither

was any merchandise shipped from

Khartoum, except that required

people

who belonged

as clothing for the

companies.

to the slave-hunters

an honest, legitimate trade were commenced by the

If

government, and law and order thoroughly established,

it

would become impossible

hunters to exist in the AVhite Nile

the

for

slave

Their

districts.

so-called trade consisted in harrying one country to

procure cattle and slaves, which they exchanged for

ivory in other districts.
lished,

the

government were estab-

such razzias must cease at once

Khartoum
I

If a

and

the

traders would be without an occupation.

had originally proposed that

White Kile south

be placed under

of

reduced

the

Gondokoro

Khartoum, unless

responsibility

of

slavers wherever I

to

for

liberating

of

should

some un-

latitude

whole navigable river

thus leaving
to

this,

districts

14 N.

latitude

my command

explained reason, was

the

5"

free

N.,

from

should assume the

slaves

might find them.

and

seizing

the

This power

I at

ISMAILIA.

152

and exercised,

once assumed

landing

avoided

altliougli

my

we regard

regarded the river as

was clearly contrary to

It

that

government

the

that

countries

purposely

slave-lmnters'

the

visiting-

were not within

that

stations

and

[chap. V.

jurisdiction.

the high seas.

ideas

all

had been leased

to

equity

of

purchase

should

ivory

in

the traders.

to investigate the matter

was, therefore, compelled

with the assistance of DjiafFer Pacha, who had made

the

contract

was then

in

the

explained

was rented by the

name

of the

that

the

government.

entire

White

south of

the

Khartoum

and

thus no trader was permitted

interior,

from Khartoum

should have obtained a

until he

from the government.

lease

river,

any part of Africa that could be reached,

to establish himself, or even to start

for

Nile

The government had

traders.

assumed the right and monopoly of the

in fact of

It

If Central

Africa had

been already annexed, and the Egyptian government

had been established throughout the country,

not have complained

but

now found

mission from the Khedive placed

divided against

itself."

that was already leased out

My
the

was

me
to

authorities

should

that

my

within " a house

annex a country

by the government.

task was to suppress the slave

Khartoum

well

knew

trade,

when

that

their

CHAP,

CEXTBAL AFRICA LEASED TO TRADERS.

v.]

were slave-hunters

tenants

commerce where the monopoly

been leased to traders

ment upon sound and

necessity

ruin

the

and

legitimate

establish

to

had already

of trade

up a govern-

to build

just principles, that

slave-hunting

153

and

must

of

ivory-collect-

ing parties of Khartoum.

It

was easy

reo-arded

as

and the

lessees

from slave-huntinor
manner,

the

to

fatal

my

that

of the

interests

was

mission

Soudan.

the actual wordino- of the contracts was

AlthouQ-h
pure,

conceive

to

it

was

bound themselves

and

to

to abstain

behave in a becoming

thoroughly understood

that

they

were simply to pay a good round sum per annum

punctually, and that no questions would be asked.

no

There

were

those

distant

send

authorities

away from

all

they pleased.

reports

restraint,
It

their

the

government in

consular
thus,

traders

agents to

when

fairly

could act as

appears hardly credible that,

though the wording of

holy,

neither

countries,

home unpleasant

the

of

the

contracts

al-

was almost

no examination of the vessels was made before

departure from Khartoum.

government been

Had

the Soudan

sincere in a determination to lease

out the White Nile for the purpose of benefiting the

country by the establishment of legitimate commerce,

surely the

authorities

would have convinced them-

154

ISMAILi'A.

selves that the

suitable

[chap. v.

traders' vessels contained cargoes of

merchandize,

loaded with

instead of being

ammunition, and manned by bands of aimed

If the o^\^le^ of

a pack of wolves

them on a commission

to gather

were

pirates.

send

to

wool from a flock of

sheep, with the simple protection of such parting ad-

vice as " Begone, good wolves, behave yourselves like

lambs, and do not hurt the mutton

" the proprietor

of the pack would be held responsible for the acts of

This was the

his wolves.

The

entire country

hunters, under the

government
large

sums

of

situiition in the

was leased out

name

by the Khartoum

rent, in the

money, had been received

my

the treasury of the Soudan,

plode like a shell

among

the traders,

reason for the alteration in

my

lat.

15" 35' N.

my

jurisdiction

lat.

to the

Gondokoro

is

for years into

and would

now understood

from the 14 N.

shape of

expedition was to ex-

once annihilate the trade.

limit

to piratical slave-

of traders,

and although the

Soudan.

proposed
5".

N.

at

the

territorial

Khartoum
lat. 4 54',

is

in

thus, if

should be reduced to the south of

Gondokoro, the usual

traffic of

continue in the north during

my

the White Nile might

absence in the south,

and the original contracts would be undisturbed.

It is a

to

duty that

explain

these

owe

details.

to the
It

Khedive of Egypt

would

at

first

sight

CHAP,

SINCERITY OF THE KHEDIVE.

v.]

155

appear that the expedition to suppress the slave-trade

was merely a

announcement

theatrical

to court the

sympathy

of Europe, but which, in reality,

solidity.

had no

am

perfectly convinced that the Khedive

was thoroughly

sincere in his declared purpose of sup-

pressing the slave-trade, not only as a humanitarian,

but as an enlightened

man

of the world,

who knew,

from the example of the great Powers of Europe, that

the time had arrived

when

demanded the

civilization

extinction of such horrors as were the necessary ad-

juncts of the slave trade.

The Khedive had thus

de-

termined to annex the Nile Basin, and establish his

government, which would afford protection, and open

an immense country

to the advantages of

commerce.

This reform must be the death-blow to the so-called

traders of

Khartoum, who were positively the tenants

of the governor-general of the Soudan,

The

expedition

of

the

Khedive,

launched with

admirable determination on his part, was thus inimical

to every local interest,

and was

to public opinion.

was therefore a natural con-

It

in direct opposition

sequence that pressure should be exerted by every

interest against the governor-general of the Soudan.
Djiaffer
I

Pacha was an old

friend of mine, for

had a great personal regard, and

false

position in

which both he and

whom

regretted the

were placed.

156

My

ISMAIL'iA.
title

and position

[chap. V.

as governor-general of Central

Africa to a certain extent weakened his authority.

He had by
in oj to

former

the force of circumstances, and accordusao-es,

White Nile traders

so far tolerated the acts of the

as to acknowledg;e

tracting parties with his

important lessee had no

own government.

Achmet Sheik Agad,

me behind
that I

rent.

which

for

knew, and

well knew, that his

was simple brigandage.

travels, as described in "

The most

my jurisdiction,

he was paying a large annual

so-called trade

con-

as

than ten stations situated

less

within the territory under

the lessee,

them

My

former

The Albert N'yanza," had led

the curtain, and the traders were well aware

knew every

secret of their atrocities

thus

my

reappearance upon the scene with the rank of pacha

and major-general,

at

head of a small army,

the

together with the possession of absolute and supreme

power,

threw the entire population into a state of

consternation.
subjects,

The

trusted

to

as

Mohammedans and

protection
I

had

their

own

captured

their

of

imprisoned their agents, liberated their slaves,

and confiscated the

the Khedive.

himself (Ali
helpless

the

Already

governor-general.
vessels,

traders,

ivory, subject to the decision of

Already

Bey

had caught the governor

of Fashoda) in the act of kidnapping

women and

children,

whom

had immediately

CHAP,

CONFUSION IN THE SOUDAN.

v.]

insisted

upon

although

liberating,

jurisdiction in his province.

157

had no

legal

simply depended upon

the personal support of the Khedive, whose sincerity

I

never doubted

thus

acted as I firmly believed

the Khedive would have desired

me

to act

The Khedive proved that

circumstances.

my

He

was well founded.

fidence in his sincerity

under the
con-

at once

dismissed from his service and disgraced the governor

These facts cast shadows of coming

Fashoda.

of

events.

my

The Soudan

authorities

were compromised

interference in the Shillook country w\as naturally

distasteful to the orovernor-c^eneral.

ment

Both the oovern-

Soudan and the traders

of the

at

Khartoum

perceived that I should act in strict accordance with

the instructions

There was no hope

had received from the Khedive.

left,

except in delays, that might

render an advance impossible with a heavily-laden

fleet

It

through the obstructions of the

was necessary

contract entered

to

modify the

into between the

and Sheik Achmet Agad.

his case to
I

me

was forced

of the

terms of

to

acknowledge.

who had

the

governor-general

This trader represented

as one of considerable injustice,

to Djiaffer Pacha,

the contract,

river.

As a mark

which

of respect

originally entered into

requested him to arrange the terms

new agreement

together with myself in the

ISMATLIA.

158
public divan.

It

[chap.

v.

was argued by Sheik Aclimet Agad

that the fact of the government being established in

had been independent would cause

countries where he

a great loss to his trade, as

it

would upset the

confi-

dence of the natives, and they would cease to bring

ivory for

interpreted
will be an

In

sale.
:

argument should be

'Mf the government

end to our

slaves nor cattle to

He

reality, this

also justly

razzias,

ofi'er

in

is

and we

established, there

have neither

shall

exchange for ivory."

argued that "

would be unfair

it

should the government purchase ivory from countries

already leased for trading purposes to the merchant."

arranged that,

therefore

until

the

expiration

of his original contract, no ivory should be purchased

by the government.
that

Also,

instead of

the

money payment now

annually made to the government, the rent should be

paid in ivory, at the rate of two-fifths of the amount
collected.

The ivory was

in Gondokoro, at

to be delivered

and weighed

which place the rent was

to

be

would expire on April

9,

paid to the government in tusks.

The

original

contract

1872.

My

hands were to a certain extent tied by these

engagements, but
of

the

term

resolved

that at the expiration

should assume a

monopoly of the

ABOU SAOOD.

CHAP, v.]

159

ivory trade for the government, on the principle of

the

fur

of the

trade

Hudson's Bay Company

would be impossible

it

Khartoum

traders,

who,

as

permit the acts of the

to

was convinced, would never

deal honestly with the natives.

The working representative

was

his son-in-law

Achmet Sheik Agad

a man named Abou Saood

when

seen this person

of

at

Tewfikeeyah

in charge of several vessels from

Gondokoro during

when the

south wind had

allowed the passage of

flooded river and strong

his

had no slaves on board, but

that time he

had

he had arrived

the rainy season,

At

quently discovered that upon hearing that

boats.

subse-

had formed

a station near the Sobat, he had discharged a large

cargo of slaves at the station of

Bahr

Giraffe, so as to pass

Kutchuk

Ali on the

Tewfikeeyah in a state of

innocence and purity, and thus save the confiscation

of his ivory.

when
his

This

man was

present at the divan

the final agreement was signed

He vowed

principal.

manner

that

fidelity

entertained

serious

An arrangement was

by myself and

in so

forcible

doubts

entered

of

a
his

into,

that

he was to supply the government troops with

beef,

sincerity.

mutton, butter, &c., together with the native carriers

for the transport of baggage, stores, &c., at an estab-

lished rate

then agreed upon

the provisions were

ISMA ILIA.

160

[chap.

command

to be delivered from the resources at his

his various stations.

v.

at

In the event of any native war,

he was to furnish assistance when called upon by the

government

my

about 1,800 in the districts included in

I

Abou

admire

not

did

Saood.

he had

irregular troops, of which

for

personal

the

territory.

appearance

of

judge of physiognomy would have

objected to the downcast look of humility, the uncertain

squint

added to the

of countenance,
ejaculations

one eye, the furtive expression

of

when

upon

called

ultra-holiness of
for

an answer, and

the pious cant of his protestation against

At the same time

doings.
o

knew him

part of saint, I
feather

the

as

rest

of

his

all

wrong-

that he was actincf

o the

same

to be a bird of the

the

Nile

AVhite

slave-

hunters.

Some
the

diplomacy was necessary to smooth

little

Khartoum.

troubled waters of

allowance
authorities

made every

obstructiveness

the

for

the

passive

it

was

perfectly natural under the cir-

of

cumstances of a sudden reform that affected materially

the interests of the entire population, both high and
low.

game.

At the same
I

time,

it

was necessary

was much attached

his unofficial capacity,

kindness that

to

to

Djiaffer

win the

Pacha

in

as I could never forget the

had received from him

at

Souakim

CHAP.

DJIAFFER PA CHA

V.

when he welcomed

161

wife and myself on our return

\fi.y

from a long and arduous expedition.

generous to
to

mau

honest

perfectly

vigilant

ficiently

or

His great desire was

thus he

reputation,

with

severe

most

and

dealings,

his

around him.

all

a good

earn

in

He was

w^as

the

not suf-

sub-officials

throughout the vast territory which he governed.

He had

formerly been an admiral in the Egyptian

navy, and he had

England, where he had

visited

name

learnt to respect the English

To be considered a

"

gentleman

nounced in English), was in

"

of " gentleman."

(which he pro-

his estimation a great

honour.
delighted with the lasting impression that

I M'as

had been made by the manners of our country

certainly in courtesy

and

hospitality, Djiaffer

and

Pacha

thoroughly represented the qualities of the name he

Whenever we

coveted.
official

matters,

we were always

One evening,

capacity.

differed

in

at an entertainment that he

connected with a voyage he had

in

command

Louis Philippe.
quay.

In

VOL.

I.

The

airs,

made

little

anecdote

to Marseilles

of a frigate during the reign of

vessel

the afternoon

played several

upon

cordial in our private

had kindly given, he amused me with a

when

opinion

which

was moored

close to the

French military band

Djiaflfer

Pacha considered

!!

ISMA I LIA.

162

were performed

He

therefore

as a

compliment to

determined to

his

Egyptian

tlie

flag.

politeness.

the

return

summoned

he

Accordingly

[chap. V.

own

and

band,

ordered them to perform in honour of the French

who had
to

an

With a view

warmly received him.

so

good taste

of

exhibition

Marseilles,

in

he

the "Marseillaise!" as an air that would

selected

be reco^ised and appreciated by the French as a

compliment from an Egyptian

No

band

sooner had the

up the forbidden

air,

Crowds

produced.

frigate.

in

wdien a great excitement was

shouted the song of revolution

Djiaffer

was

Pacha

compliment.

played

more vigorously,

suddenly

interrupted

chorus

This was a great

delighted

by

until the

an

An

and the astonished and

polite Djiaffer

horror

that

he

with

the

had

harmony was
visit

official

police in strong force.

with

voices

of

His band thus encouraged,

effect of his
still

quay

at once assembled on the

Loud cheering commenced.

success

vigour struck

full

of

the

explanation took place,

insulted

Pacha learnt
the

French

government

On

6th October the post arrived from Cairo with

the astounding news of the battle of Sedan

capture
in,

of the

Paris*;

Emperor Napoleon

and the

fall

of the

the

the

revolution

Napoleon dynasty

CHAP,

NEWS ARRIVES OF SEDAN.

v.]

Never were

many

so

one despatch.

much

felt

grave events

blow too

one of

as

terrible

condensed

De Bizemont

for

had become a general favourite, and

him con amore

163

in

he

had received

our party.

This

was

even for his high

spirit.

He

had received the greatest kindness from the emperor

and empress, and

his

was shown by the

loyalty

deepest grief, and an immediate resolve to give up

the expedition, and to return to share the trembling
fortunes of his country.

much

We

had ourselves received

kindness from the empress.

before this grave

news

Only a few days

my

arrived,

wife had received

a token from her majesty, graciously bestowed

she was in power and prosperity

this

when

was now more

deeply prized since adversity had fallen so heavily

upon

De
work

her.

Bizemont
as

member

ing the sections

to

vigorously

commenced

of the expedition

of the

third

steamer from Cairo

liad already so notably distinguished

with

by accompany-

great sheik of the Arabs, Hussein Halifa,

transport

of

the

two steamers

Mr. Higginbotliani.

good-bye, and

companion,

his

The desert journey was intrusted

Berber.

the

had

T.e

parted with

that

to

who

himself in the

had

arrived

was very sorry

to say

De Bizemont and

Blanc, with sincere regret.

liis

ISMATLIA.

164
1

had now

were loaded.

my

entry in

" Started

[chap. V.

set

everything in order; the vessels

On

10th October,

journal

hateful

find

this

Thankful to be free

for Tewfikeeyah.

from that

1870,

Khartoum.

spot,

Nothing can

exceed the misery of the place at this season.

drainage

mud dense

population, with exaggerated

These enemies to civilization have at length

stench.

vanquished the European

"DjiafFer
people,

bands

steam up, and

settlers.

to take

official

big

farewell

salutes of cannon
God with a horrid

thank

oft,

an

the

all

music

of

and Julian with nasty

We

by

accompanied

Pacha,

came on board

embracino*

cold

No

fever."

were short of hands for wood-cutting, thus

we only

arrived

The

was now

river

this spot

at

Tewfikeeyah on 22d October.

maximum, and had

at its

risen at

from the lowest level of the dry season,

fourteen feet and one inch.

We

were

rau2;ed to

now

start

the

Gondokoro on the

On
pass

25th
the

Many

first

1st

October

station with

and the slaves

"

busily

employed,
division

of

had

ar-

the

fieet

for

as

December.
several

vessels

slaves.

attempted

All were

to

captured

liberated.

of the

women

slaves

who were

released

CHAP,

LIBERIE FRA TERNITEEGALITE.

v.]

from the slave vessels at the

thoroughly

only with

not

night,

new

their

of

liberie,

'

away during

they ran

as

egalite,'

fraternite,

capture seemed

prmciple

the

realize

to

first

165

clothes

the

recently

given them by the government, but they also stole

some of the

manage
been

soldier's

The

people.

these

It is

kit.

fact

very
of

destroys

confidence,

and they cannot understand

position.

It is difiicult to

has

their

true

simply

in their behalf

with a view to their welfare

they imagine that the

ulterior object in their release

and many have a strong suspicion that they may

some future time be

country and

transported to

They have been

sold.

brutal treatment,

comprehend the intention

attribute

to

a wish to

at

some distant

so often deceived

that they cannot understand the truth

been accustomed to

all

persuade them that the

interfered

government has some

to

having

their

kidnapped by the slave-hunters

government

difiicult

of kindness,

deceive them.

and having
they cannot

which they
This

is

dreadful state of moral degradation, which nothing

but time and patience will overcome."

On

23rd

November the

from the north.

that

the

began

was nearly ready.

had been thoroughly

Totten

wind

repaired, but

caulking was

steadily

Every

vessel

many were

considered

so

by the

ISMAIL!A.

166

[chap. V.

English shipwrights as quite unreliable for a long

voyage.

had dragged the iron diahbeeah out of

plates in

many

was honeycombed

with

the water, and had substituted

places

where

rust.

The

tusks

of

metal

the

the

had been

that

plate

new

hippopotamus

pierced

was

by the

removed, as

it

proved to be very defective, and could be broken

through with the sharp blow of a heavy hammer,
therefore
so

it

easily

astonishino^

by the

penetrated

powerful an

When

was not

of

so

the diahbeeah was re-launched, I had her

In the meantime,

two small rooms, open on the

at night

blinds.

The three

had paved the

the steamer's

com-

house,

river-side,

but

and morning by simple Venetian

secured

had been

animal.

had formed a Eobinson-Crusoe-like

prising

it

ivory

sharp

thoroughly painted inside and out.

I

that

sides

floor

were closed with

planks.

with the cast-iron plates of

engine room,

thus

and proof against the white

it

was both

level

The two rooms

ants.

were separated by a partition with a doorway, but

no door.
I

the

had not resided

diahbeeah, ten

in a house since I first occupied

months

ago,

as

the vessel

was

more convenient.

On

29th November,

at

about four a.m.,

was

CHAP,

A THIEF AT NIGHT.

v.]

awakened by a

167

My

in the adjoining room.

noise

bedstead was exactly opposite the partition doorway

that of

At

first

my

wife was on the other side of the room.

thought the sound proceeded from rats

scampering over the tin boxes

attentively,

box

distinctly heard

opened

by some person,

but upon listening

the

lid

of

and again

a metal
carefully

closed.

After a few moments,

and

among

heard another box open,

sound as though some one was

searching

the contents.

Unfortunately
rible creaker,

my

bedstead

which

in

it

was

the

most hor-

was impossible

without producing a noise that

would

turn

to

create

an

alarm, should a thief be on the alert.

I

always

my pillow,
the revolver in my hand,
to get out of my noisy

a pistol under

with

slept

therefore, I gently grasped

and endeavoured quietly

bed.

The wretched
alarming creak

piece
this

of furniture

gave the most

was immediately succeeded by

a sound in the next room of the sudden closing of

a box, and the

movement

not be sure that

it

of

some person.

could

was not Lady Baker, who had

perhaps required something from

not wish to disturb me.

box,

and did

This was not likely, and

ISMAIL!A.

168
I

that no time

felt

given the alarm.

must be

my

lost, as

I therefore

bedstead had

sprang out of bed and

rushed through the open doorway, just in time to see

some person jump through the Venetian blinds on

the river side

To cry out
after

him

instant,

myself
house.

At

of the
"

Who's there

"

and

shot

to fire a

same moment was the work of an

at the

and jumping
in

house.

him

after

in pursuit I

found

darkness, and no one visible outside

Where was
the cry of "

the sentry

Guard

"

Nowhere

not a soul appeared

gentry was not to be found.

At length

my

the

after a search,

he turned up in the wrong place, looking confused,

and confessed that he had been

by the sound

of a shot.

non-commissioned

officers

asleep, but

By

this

had

arrived,

awakened

time a number of

who had been

alarmed by the pistol-shot and the cry of " Guard

The sentry was put under

arrest.

search

"
!

was made

everywhere, but no trace of the thief could be found.

On making an

examination of the premises, we found

a dirty shirt that the

behind him

this

thief

in his hurry left

was evidently intended

the spoil in lieu of a bag.

of a bullet-mark either

to receive

could not find the trace

upon the planks or upon the

Venetian blinds, therefore,

must have been

had

hit, or if

considered that the thief

missed, the ball

must have

NO DETECTIVES.

criAP. v.]

1G9

passed out as he pushed the blinds aside Avhen in the

act of springing through.
I

suspected

the

sentry,

who was an Egyptian

belonging to the " Forty Thieves."

He was

stripped

and examined, but there was no wound.

All the

my

possession

shirts

were

was no

alike, therefore the shirt in

clue.

My

wife had been startled, but she

quickly recovered herself

the sentry was flogged,

and there the matter ended

detectives.

we had no London

CHAPTER

VI.

THE START.

Decemher

11.

The

composed of eight

my

vessels,

had

fleet,

started, according to

previous arrangement, on 1st

or fourth

the

of

division

first

inst.

Every third

day another division followed the advance,

until on the

11th

brought up the

rear,

and com-

pleted the departure with twenty-six vessels, including

the No. 10 steamer and

was

fair

my

The wind

from the north.

The extensive and neat

was completely dismantled.

their contents
ships,

diahbeeah.

The

of

Tewfikeeyah

iron magazines

their

voyage towards

The horses were shipped and the

had been pulled down, and the wood cut up

The

lono;

and

were now safely stowed in the various

and were already on

Gondokoro.

station

stables

for fuel.

rows of white tents had vanished, and

little

remained of the station except a few rows of deserted

CHAP,

DEATH OF

v.]

huts.

It

DR. GEDGE.

seemed extraordinary that

171

so large a place

away among

could be packed up and stowed

the

fifty-nine vessels of the fleet.

The

English,

had constructed three

shipwrights

very useful boats, each exactly the same

16

X 5

ft.

ft.

thus

we had

size,

about

a total of seven small

boats to assist in the explorations of the obstructed

river.
I

the

left

country at peace.

Shillook

Pacha had paid much attention

Kare

at

to the sons of

Khartoum, and the Khedive,

representations,

country

in

had

place

appointed

of

the

Djiaffer

in reply to

him

chief

of

pretender Jangy.

governor of Fashoda had been condemned to

grace.

left

handsome present

Quat

for the old

Quat Kare, and we departed excellent

friends.

my
the

The
dis-

king

The

English party had been reduced by the departure of

Mr. Wood, Dr. Gedge, and two servants.

We

had been deeply grieved by the sad news of

the death of Dr. Gedge, at Khartoum, a few days

before

we broke up

the station of Tewfikeeyah.

This

unfortunate gentleman was a great loss to the expedition, as

he was not only

combined the

scientific

my

chief medical officer, but

attainments of a botanist and

naturalist.
I

had made every preparation

for cutting

through

ISMAILIA.

'

72

the sudd, and

hundred

we were

sharp

well

had

also

spades, shovels, &c. in case

to deepen

the

party were

full of

many

with

prepared

bean-

switching-hooks,

bill-hooks,

hooks, sabres, &c.

[chap. VI.

it

some hundred miners'

might

be

necessary

While the whole English

shallows.

and determined

spirit

to succeed,

was a general feeling of

regret to say there

dis-

appointment among the Egyptian troops (including

officers)
sail

that the expedition

had

sojourn

creased

Tewfikeeyah,

at

heartened

and

medans
sunrise

the

and

will
till

which

neither

sunset.

eat,

the

men were

dis-

was

in-

feeling

month

drink,

nor

religiously,

as

but
it

of the fast

Moham-

the

smoke

from

The Koran exempts them from

when on

people preferred to keep

it

observance of this pernicious fast

long journey,

during our

sickness

This

depressed.

during

of Egypt.

the flesh-pots

by the unfortunate recurrence

Ramadan,

of

for

many men from

lost

in full

Their hearts were either at

towards the south.

Khartoum, or sighing

was once again

my

would be a plausible excuse

for

neglecting work.

The Nile was

full

and unusually high

in favour of the voyage, as success

push on with

was

depended upon

our crossing the shallows during the flood

therefore, necessary to

this

all

it

was,

speed so as

THE RAMADAN.

criAP. VI.]

to

reach

now

as

of the voyage

entry

"

difficult to

by a general

after starting,

fall.

description.

Thank goodness, we

are

find this

in

exceedingly high, although

is

Mr. Higginbotham

has

been

ill

Lieutenant-Colonel Abd-el-Kader,

camp, although an excellent

good
it

has

its

maximum.

for

long time.

my

first

officer, is

thus the whole work

few hours

and

off,

already fallen about five inches from

ill-health

original

convey an idea

on 11th December 1870,

time, as the river

from

my

be necessary to refer to

would be

it

73

been impassable

before the river should

will

joiirnol,

shallows which had

tlie

last April,
It

aide-de-

almost useless
falls

on myself

and Julian (Lieutenant Baker) personally, and were

I

not to drive the

we

sunset,

officers

should not

two months.

forward from sunrise to

have been

off

another

for

These miserable people do not under-

stand energy, and the

Ramadan

increases

their in-

capacity.

"December

when

12.

At

2.30

a.m.,

we were

hailed

ten minutes within the Bahr Giraffe, by two

noggurs

(vessels)

in

distress.

Stopped the steamer

immediately, and then heard that the No. 15 noggur,

their consort,

had sunk

in deep water, close to this

spot.

"

At day-break

searched the river, and discovered

ISMA ILIA.

174
the wreck

[chap.

good divers worked

for

about two hours, and

covered three muskets and

several

pots

belonging to

the soldiers.

reis

(captain)

that

is,

The

sprang

she

and she

men having

filled

story of the

plank

sail

at

with a

and sank immediately, the

barely time to save themselves.

fortunately, she

re-

copper cooking

about 4 A.M., six days ago, while under

light wind,

Two

eighteen feet depth of water.

in

VI.

had on board,

Un-

addition to one

in

hundred urdeps of corn (450 bushels), a section of

one of Samuda's
the corn,

before

compartment,

it

steel lifeboats

was placed upon

this

the mast, but having an air-tight

must have

floated

away

in the dark

without being noticed.

"

The story of the

reis

is

false

there can be no

doubt that the crew and soldiers were

fast asleep,

and the vessel was run into by one of her

Had

the people been awake, the least

consorts.

movement

the helm would have run the vessel high

and dry

in this narrow river, as the banks are flooded,

she was close to the side.

the people, suddenly

As

of

and

the collision occurred,

awakened from

sleep,

were seized

with panic, and only thought of saving themselves;

thus the noggur

lies

in three-fathom water,

invaluable section of a lifeboat

is

lost.

and disappointment, together with the

and the

The worry

loss of property,

CHAP.

LOSS OF VESSEL.

VI.]

occasioned by these people,

Every man
nearly

all

material

and

old

beyond

all

rotten,

fleet

with 30,000Z.
loss of

some

laden with sections of the lake steamers, in

which case the expedition would be ruined in

my

all

are

and with such wretched

dread the probable

description.

The boats

expedition.

have to conduct this

v/orth of property.
vessel

the

detests

is

175

lifeboat

I trust

care.

may

spite of

that the floating portion of the

be picked up by some of Agad's vessels

in the rear.

" Leaving the hopeless wreck,

voyage at

10.50

a.m.,

in

we continued

company with

At 5.20

noggurs, with a brisk north wind.

the
p.m.,

the

two

we

stopped at a forest to collect firewood.

''December

14.

Fahrenheit, at

Started at 7.30 a.m. Thermometer,

a.m.,

lowest temperature
" Passed

we have

number

broken her yard.

up with wood.

67; noon, 85.

At

of

This

is

the

had.

our vessels,

one

having

12.5 stopped at a forest to

While looking

for

fill

wood, a soldier

found a dead elephant with tusks that weighed about

120lt)S.

gave him a present of

five dollars, also

dollar to Saat for having recovered

vessel the cooking pots

"

Wind

one

from the sunken

and muskets.

very strong from north.

The north wind

always commences at about 7 a.m. and increases in

ISMAIL!A.

176

power

as the sun rises.

setting

could

wish,

there

no

is

has been a foot above

its

us, as

that

water-marks
river

Effendi's diahbeeah with

;

he

company

left in

new noggur

thus

that passed us

must

there

be

gross

negligence on the part of the twenty- one vessels

remaining
noon,
"

Thermometer,

in the rear.

88.

We

December

6 a.m.,

still

69;

shot seven guinea-fowl.

1 7.

I see

four vessels about six miles

ahead that are only now making

been stopping for two days.

two diahbeeahs

we

present level.

morning

did also the

morning

yesterday

The

game.

Suleiman

16.

six horses passed this

with

all

is

show that the maximum of the

trees

"December

with the

It sinks together

Although the country

sun.

upon the

[chap. VI.

of the

sail

thus they have

In the afternoon the

Englishmen came up, and gave

us the terrible news that one of the vessels had sunk

near the mouth of the river Sobat on the day of our

departure from Tewfikeeyah

this

vessel

was laden

with portions of the steamer of 50-feet

" I immediately ordered

4.20 P.M

we

started to return

It appears that

was

in

120 miles

to the wreck.

Raouf Bey, with many other

company with

in this country
is

steam to be got up, and at

is

the

lost

noggur.

simply heart-breaking

utterly worthless, boats, officers,

vessels,

To work

the material

and men are

all

BAD NEWS.

CHAP. VT.]

The

alike.

177

of invalual3le time

loss

the ignorance of the people

do nothing by themselves

is

such that they can

thus

ruinous, aucl

is

must be every-

where and superintend everything personally.

" The boatmen say the rats drag out the rags with

which

the

caulked from within,

are

vessels

occasioning sudden and dangerous leaks

why

a case,

thus

but in such

does not the captain run his vessel ashore

to prevent sinking

" Before starting, I

to

Suleiman

to

commence

despatched a letter by a vessel

at

Eflfendi
clearinor

the

with

sudd,

without

channel

tlie

orders
loss

of time.

"At

7.40 P.M.

afterwards

made

our a light ahead, and shortly

we met Raouf

Bey's diahbeeah tied to the

bank alongside of Achmet

Effendi,

the bimbashi's

Raouf Bey came on board and confirmed the

vessel.

bad news.

They describe the sunken

vessel as lying

with her stem about a foot below the surface, but her
stern

is

to be

up

it is

very deep water.

at daylight,

gave orders

and we halted

narrow winding

twelve
VOL.

witli a

steamer

at 6.25 a.m.

Ther., 08

At noon we met Colonel Tayib Agha and

vessels.
I.

steam

river.

December 18. Started

noon, 81.

for

for the night, as

dangerous to travel down stream

in this

"

in

ordered three of these vessels to

ISMAILi'A

17S
tuiii l)cick

mined
"

At 12.37

P.M.

we

immediately to the wreck, as

am

deter-

to raise her, if possibk'.

passed the
2.

[chap. vr.

P.M.

first

we reached

wreck in the Bahr

we reached

we had

the spot where

At exactly

GirafTe.

At 6.50

the Nile junction.

p.m.

distinguished the mast of the wreck above water,

almost opposite the Sobat junction, on the west side

Having passed the wreck we reached

of the river.

Here we

our old station Tewfikeeyah at 7.30 p.m.

found a number of Shillooks, with Quat Kare's counsellor,

corn that
vessels

had

to

left

in

the

king's

19.

Thermometer,

quantity of

charge,

were too heavily laden to carry

"December
I

who were guarding

Abdullah,

as

our

it.

6 a.m., 64; noon, 79.

sent Abdullah with orders to the king,

collect all his people with their

Quat Kare,

ambatch canoes

to assist us in raising the wreck.

"

The Shillooks have already taken possession

our old station, and have

divided

it

into

lots

of
for

planting.

"December

20.

Thermometer

at 6

78; the water in the goolah (cooler),

m., 66

.59.

noon,

The wind

blows a gale from the north daily.

"

have just heard that Raouf Bey and the two

colonelft,

Tayib Agha and Achmet Effendi, together

with nbout 400 men, actually abandoned, not oidy the

WRECK OF A

CHAP. V].]

VESSEL.

17<)

wrecked vessel and her invaluable cargo, but they

also left a section of one of the

mud bank
is

lifeboats

of the river and forsook

"At 3.15

Such conduct

it.

and could only be found in

incredible,

P.M., the

upon the

this country.

steamer having replenished her

wood, we started and arrived at the wreck at 4.35 p.m.

After a careful examination

we passed the night

at

the high ground near the Sobat junction.

"

The

section of

mud, but

the lifeboat

have no doubt

it

no

is

has been secured by the

governor of Fashoda, together with

the yard and

my

This entails the necessity of

sail.

on the

lono-er

sending him

a letter seventy miles distant to order the return of

the boat section immediately.
"

December 21

in goolah, 52.

Thermometer
I

at G a.m., 63'

sent Abdullah

Uz Bashi

to

water

Tew-

fikeeyah with a letter to the governor of Fashoda,

wliich the

The

letter

Shillooks were

to forward

demands eight oxen, ten

immediately.

sheep, the section

of lifeboat saved from the wreck, together with the

yard and

sail.

" I shot

two small antelopes,

francolin partridge,
"

December

(^uat

22.

and

AVaiting

a large

some guinea-fowl,

five Y)elicaus.

Karc and his Shillooks.

knocked over

also

for

the

arrival

of

Shot two geese and

antelope,

but

lost

N 2

hiiu

in

ISMAIL! A.

180

The country

high grass.

the
for

[chap.

space of about a mile from

a.

on the Sobat dubba, which

except

fioocled,

all

is

our

little

maximum

my wounded

started off after

me

brought

new

the

the head

to

(vessels).

hands

few Shillooks

antelope,

was

it

above

a fine

and quickly
specimen of

species of Hiijpotragus.

''December 23.
Nile

of the river.

level

camp

the highest ground

is

for a great distance, being about fourteen feet

the

VI.

down

bring

When

were

I sent

the steamer up the White

wind-bound

the

with

returned

she

immediately employed

them,

all

discharging

in

down masts and yards

cargo and taking

kyassas

in

readi-

ness for operations on the sunken vessel.

"December

24.

Thermometer,

82.

Abdullah, the

have

not forwarded

Shillook,

my

6 a.m., 67; noon,

arrived.

letter

The natives

to the governor

of

Fashoda, as they fear to pass

certain villages with

which they have

quarrelling.

is

been

the close of the

Eamadan

the Bairam, therefore

my

lately

it

is

fast,

A.M., 65.
filling the

We

25.

first

kept as a holiday.

people have turned out in

"December

and the

To-day

new

Christmas Day.

of
All

clothes.

Thermometer, 6

began work at the sunken

vessel.

By

barges with water and sinking them within

a foot of the

surface,

and then securing them by

ATTEMPTS TO SAVE THE WRECK.

CHAP. VI.]

chains

we obtained

the wreck,

to

The water

the wreck.

havino-

the barges, they gradually rose

several

Having thus

feet.

her a

few

work

concluded

nearer

feet

by

December

**

tions

26.

those

as

We

hold of

baled

out of

her,

continued

and the day's

with

the

secured

chains

we had

At

engaged, the

men by

the

cargo,

steamer and upon

the wreck, and

which

my

we

by

This was
her from

lifted

diving, secured ropes

heavier pieces of iron sections, and

her

gun-

the

across

same time that we were thus

the ground.

of

her.

same opera-

divers beneath the bottom of the wreck.

tons

and

care

Having lashed the

attached

not possible yesterday until

hauled

wq,

able to manao;e

be

transversely

we

firm

lifted the vessel

bank,

yesterday.

of

these

to

and

raised

the

shall

masts of the barges

wales,

l)eeu

proving that

we

additional force

181

we

prepared

This

the

several

upon

placed

diahbeeah.

then

we saved

to

the

lightened

a bed

for

her

by cutting away the abrupt bank, and forming a

shelf on the flooded shore in

of

her

water,

when

steamer's

a depth of three feet

upon which we might

floated to

purchase

We

the surface.

with

an

be

able

to haul

laid

out the

anchor secured

upon

the shore, and the day ended successfully by liaul-

ing

the wreck

exactly parallel

to

the

bank,

with

ISMAILJA.

182

[CHAP. VI.

As the

her stem and stern-post above the surface.

current was very powerful,

bow

the

the wreck

of

had throughout the operation been firmly secured

by two anchors
work,

the

just

are

fellow for

chains

so

who

been

has

is

to

that they

botham, as usual,
Kader,

only reliable

day

all

Higgin-

slip.

Colonel Abd-el-

Egyptian
wild

like

himself

can

Altog-ether

lift.

day
sun.

the

this is
I

Julian

of

effect

out the

laid

is

and

few

men

manner.

Shillooks

bow and

came

to assist us

old Quat Kare,

liis

people.

out

more

who

daily exposure

sat

bow

botli

she became

as

to-

the

to

of the wreck

we

the same

purchases,

we could

lighter.

About 250

under the command of

in his canoe

divided

in

Having lightened the

cargo,

soldiers.

up with fever

stern secured

Having manned

manage her

men have

steamer's second purchase at

right angles fastened to the

thus had her

laid

officer,

duck,

the

worked famously, especially the black

''December 27.

ropes

the

fast

not

shall

very energetic.

is

my

diving

make

sailor,

and no

work,

bringing up heavy boxes of rivets which

but

morning

early

sort of

this

knows how

other person

and

sun from

the

in

very hard

It is

Julian (Lieutenant Baker), being a

night.

till
is

we

as

up stream.

laid out

the

and directed

by taking

vessel

labour

Higgin-

CHAP.

WE SAVE THE

VI.

VESSEL.

IS

botham sinking two kyassas and making tliem

while

as lifters,

men

other

away the

cut

bank with spades and improved the

fast

flooded

shelf.

" After breakfast, the sunken kyassas being well

secured to the wreck

out for

the

with

and

time,

last

chains,

the

screams

the purchases,

and

we succeeded

amidships, and

from

the

new

bed,

river's

more than three

and now

that

dragging the vessel

utensil

upon

placing her
for

her in

During

the
little

this

time

safe,

empty

general rush was

water

the

gourd-shells,

with every
cooking

l)asins,

&c.

pots,

"When
leaks,

and

in

water.

was

to

now

All hands

baling out Avith large buckets,

she

made on board
conceivable

and

feet of

many men had been

su})-

four ropes fastened

we had prepared

shelf that

thus

while the Shillooks-, with

tugged at

yells,

baled them

vessel

ported came bodily to the surface.

hauled on

we

and

finost

baled out,

we discovered and stopped

floated her.
vessels

of

She was one of the

fleet,

tlie

perfectly

the

largest

new,

and

was laden with steamer sections and machinery, the

loss

of wliich

would

liave

been fatal to the

ol)ject

of the expedition.
" I ran a flag
tlie

up the mast as a

station tliat slie

was

safe,

signal to those at

then oi'dcrcd

tlie

ISMAIMA.

184
steamer to light her

fires,

with the two kyassas and

and delivered

in tow,

and

my

at the

when

wreck, together

diahbeeah were taken

bank that we had made

and cargo that had been

doned,

tlie

VI.

Thus we have happily saved the

our head-quarters.
vessel

[CHAP.

large

force

so disgracefully aban-

was

at

hand

to

have

assisted her.

" During the morning, a vessel arrived from Khar-

toum, laden with goods on speculation, from a French

my

trader of

She

my

acquaintance. Monsieur Jules Poncet.

brought the section of the

also

lifeboat

which

had neglected on the wreck, and which

officers

the governor had taken to Fashoda.

''December 28,
fcr the

sail

sent

the steamer

and yard of the wrecked

hands are engaged in caulking

rigging, &c.,

noon,

and

refitting.

Fashoda

vessel.

All

ship, re-hoisting yards,

Thermometer, 6 a.m., QQ

81.

''December 29.
Sr.

to

Thermometer,

6 a.m.,

Julian and Higginbotham both

ill

QQ"

noon,

with fever.

Vessels progressing.

"December

30.

shot a water-buck at daybreak

{Redunca Ellipsyprimna).

Kare and

his

Yesterday evening, Quat

two favourite wives

came

to

take

gave him a musical box and a meerschaum

leave.

pipe,

with

lovely

woman's

face

carved on the

CHAP.

He was

bowl.
the

THE

VI.

smoke

very

some

gaudy

ear-rings.

"At

YEAB.

185

much amused with

from the head.

issuino;

wives

NEW

grey

red

calico,

the idea of

gave his

also

and

handkerchiefs,

They went away delighted

the steamer's boat arrived to report

P.M.,

her arrival at Tewfikeeyah.

immediately sent

off

a kyassa to join her for a cargo of wood.

"December

31.

The

steamer arrived with the

kyassa in tow at 11 a.m., with an immense supply

of wood,

together

with

from Fashoda.

The wreck

by the steamer,

as her yard

of the accident

be taken in tow

will

was taken on the day

by Colonel Tayib Agha.

most valuable

the

oxen and ten sheep

ten

in

vessel

the

She

now

is

The new

fleet.

year 1871 has commenced well.

''January
the

kyassas,

1st,

1871.

At

p.m.,

having kept back twenty

complement of troops

their

1.30

to

man

started

men from
we

the vessel

came, and

gave him an order to receive half the corn that

have saved.

left at

Abdullah, the

Tewfikeeyah.

This

for

having assisted to

his

people.

this

season

Shillook

is

Shillook,

a reward for Quat Kare,

raise the

The extraordinary
has destroyed

crops,

therefore

a
the

sunken vessel with

in

rise

large

portion

present

be most acceptable to the old king.

the

of

river

of

the

corn

will

ISMATLIA.

186

"January
of the

At

2.

we

2.40 P.M.

we

8.35 a.m.,

Wind

steamer.

[chap. VI.

in

tow

the north.

At

started

fresh from

passed the second of the three noggurs

that sailed yesterday,

and

we passed

at 3 p.m.

We

third exactly at the Giraffe junction.

the

have thus

been six hours and twenty-five minutes from the

Thermometer,

Sobat to the Giraffe junction.

66;

noon, 86".

''January

3.

wood

cutting
the

6 a.m.,

Last
we

started

came

boats

rear

midnight stopped at a

in

at

sight

3.50

One

p.m.

11

at

forest

of

which

a.m.,

reached us at 3.40 p.m.

"

January

took

had

the
left

4.

nine

iVt

5.50 a.m.

vessels

we

actually over-

with Tayib Aglia

seventeen days ago

we

that

these miserable people

have thus been wasting their time.

The trading

vessel of Jules Poncet, that left the Sobat only six

days ago,

is

in sight

ahead

thus she

has in

six

days passed the boats that have been twenty-four

days from
sail

same

the

belonging

to

the

and passed ahead of

starting-point.

wrecked noggur
all,

except

took the

from

one that

back for repairs while we cut wood at the

''January
at

5.

10.30 A.M.,

all flooded,

and

Arrived

at

Kutchuk

and took in wood.

botli the natives

All's

one,

kept

forest.

station

The country

is

and the traders are

CHAP.

WE

VI.]

FASS

AHEAD OF THE

FLEET.

187

without corn, the crops having been destroyed by

extraordinary

the

the

of

rise

The

river.

peojole

have no other grain than the scanty supply yielded

by the seeds
the

river.

of the lotus,

which they

served under Ibrahim,

when we accompanied Khoor-

many

shood Agha's party to Unyoro

Cutting

6.

wood.

no wood ahead.

as his vessels can stow, as there is

goats.

gave him

We

bushels).

''January
to

my

passed
EfFendi,

7.

Daring

to sucli

we

12.40 a. :\r.,

at

Bey.

These

Shortly

the

boat

after,

we

Achmet

of

and people are

ofiicers

they have idled their time on the road

an extent that

done purposely.

We

can only

conclude

wasted about an

the night in stojiping to

"At

night,

passed a great number of

together with

bimbashi.
;

urdeps of dhurra (22

the

Raouf

with

others,

incorrigible

five

cows and

five

started at 4 p.m.

intense disgust,

our vessels

supplied

station

much wood

in as

The vakeel of the

years ago.

wrote to Colonel

Tayib Agha, desiring him to take

six

from

met several men who had formerly

''January

collect

make

lioiir

it

is

during

inquiries.

11.30a.m., we passed the

solitary

ambatch

bush on the west bank where the steamer smashed

lier

paddle last year.

north.

Tiast

The wind

is

strong from the

year wo were five hoars from the am-

ISlMAILi'A.

188

batch bush to the dubba.

to-day

about

at

We

the ambatch.

the

at

have

left

been

exactly

Tewfikeeyah at 11 o'clock

dubba that we should reach

we

evening.

this

arrived at the station in the following order

18th

Khartoum on 8th February, and

left

" February 1 nth

Bahr

Fashoda.

Giraffe

1 6 th

the same spot where

Sobat

March 2nd

junction.

beyond Kutchuk

at the forest
is

shall therefore arrive

therefore been twenty-seven days to the spot

Last year

we

A\"e

VI.

steaming from Kutchuk All's station to

19|^ hours

we have

4 p.m.

We

[chap.

All's

unction.

arrived
This

station.

we overtook Raouf Bey

night, he having left Tewfikeeyah on 11 th

last

December.

Thus he has been twenty-six days from Tewfikeeyah

in reaching the spot this year

which he arrived at

from the great distance of Khartoum in our former

voyage in twenty-two days

Last year the

fleet

was fourteen days on the voyage from the Sobat

the above spot
six

days

this year

they have been twenty-

thoroughly that they delay

believe

to

purposely, in the hope of thwarting the expedition.

" Last year the whole fleet assembled at the dubba

in

twenty days from Fashoda.

"We

arrived at

the

dubba

at 5.30 p.m.,

having

been delayed two hours by obstructions and rapids.

"January

8.

We

cut through a horrid accumu-

CHAP.

COMMENCE CUTTING.

VI.]

189

lation of floating rafts that have filled the open space

the dubba and the

of last year between

This being

our old channel.

mouth

of

completed, I ordered

the boats to keep in close line until the arrival of

main body, otherwise the

the

would

floating rafts

again block up the channel should the boats proceed.

"January

9.

Hauled

the dingy over the marsh,

and explored the old channel

Thank

minutes.

goodness,

this

was

two miles

point, a distance of al)out

we were stopped by

for a distance of fifty

clear to

but at length

The

vegetation.

latter

a light character, and can be easily removed.

of mosquitoes

the

dew very heavy

"Shot a Bale7iiceps Rex, with

'^January

At

10.

that

is

of

Clouds

at night.

rifle.

we

day-break

distinguished

eight sail on the northern horizon.

*^

January

11.

Brisk

north

wind.

Kaouf Bey

arrived in the evenino;.

'^

January

river with

12.

much

of last year's

"January

Started

and passed the choked

and entered the channel

difficulty,

clearing.
13.

We

only

made about two

miles

yesterday and to-dny, being stopped by vegetation.

"January

14.

Cutting

is

much improved

half

miles.

partinlly, but the channel

since last year.

]\Iade

two and

ISMAIL!A.

190
''January 15.

[chap. VI.

Made three-quarters

of a mile,

and

having reached the lake Timsah (crocodile lake) we

found the river blocked up

way

an open but

into

we

therefore cut

our

shallow channel which

last

year was impassable from want of depth.

''January

16.

The

diahbeeah went ahead,

much delayed

the steamer and heavy vessels were

by shallows.

went on and determined upon the

open

the

passage,

but

being

lake

600

about

visible

yards distant.

"January

17.

Made

cutting through

rafts

up;

about 100

having completely destroyed

"January
we

The lake of

vegetation.

of

choked

year nearly

last

P.M.

rafts

about 300 yards of heavy

some

Cut about 350 yards, and at 3.3U

18.

entered the lake.

From

no mirage deceives

we found

may

I trust this

miles.

"January

the mast-head

Sailed
last

four

miles, at

it

was a

length

river

year from south-east appeared

we

two

about

of

which place

the south, while

to be closed at half a mile distance.

for

exists

iis.

19.^

our channel of

now

it

be true, and that

new channel coming from

new channel

of

it.

appears that an unbroken sheet of water

for

acres

200

arrived at

or

miles

300

sudd of

Explored the
in

yards

appearance
wide.

At

small dimensions

cuAP.

SLOW PBOGEESS.

VI.]

water

open

with

and

junction,

191

We

beyouel.

returned

night at a sudd

passed the

the

to

half

mile up our old channel.

"January

much

with

20.

At

pushed about a mile through

difficulty I

the whole

the grass until 1 found

by vegetation.

new

channel,

think the

and that the

nearly

will take us to

took the dingy, and

7 a.m. I

country closed

river

has

opened a

of

yesterday

passage

same spot

the

sudd that we reached by another route

"

Many

last year.

the angle

to

yesterday.

Eamsall and

physicked

At 4.15

botham.

we

p.m.

and found the

21.

The

discovered

sailed with

all

open

river

being

river

took the dingy, and after

7 a.m.,

sounded the
have

channel

determined

to

three

for

much

closed ahead, I

trouble succeeded in

reaching our old channel in the clear river.

at

Halted for the night.

and a half miles ahead.

January

channel

we

evening

Mr. Higginpoling round

started,

new

the

enter

In the

light breeze,

started

Eng-

vessels having arrived, I visited the

lishmen and

"

above the

returned
the

cut

at

whole
a

p.m.

distance,

passage

Having
I

had

and

through

to-

morrow.

"January
sudd.

T.ast

22.

Cut

year this

.S50
jtit'ce

yards

tlirougli

was GOO yards.

Ik

avy

We

at

ISMA ILIA.

192

[chap. VI.

we

length reached the small lake where

had buried the two artillerymen

"
a

January

23.

in

an

last year

ant-hill.

took the diahheeah a mile and

quarter up the river, while

the fleet was being

squeezed through our spongy channel.

'^January 24.
were

Yesterday

vessels

five

by Kaouf Bey

behind

left

the

that

and the

arrived,

assembled.

fleet

am

" I

in great anxiety about

has twelve

vessels

Tayib Agha who

which are

him, none of

with

yet in sight.

" This black colonel

is

not clever, and should an

accident occur, he will be at a loss

is

how

to act.

unwell with fever, but Higginbotham

" I

went a long way

in the dingy,

is better.

and succeeded

in finding the true channel of the stream

ing

with

the

To-morrow we
country

"The
is

about

solitary

shall

bein

tree that

to

as

mile

marks the open water

and a half

dry spot near

this,

distant.

the grass.

the whole

a huge tortoise,

of last year

There

is

the heart of desolation

tumulus of about half an

above the highest water

love

cuttino;,

by prob-

closed.

is

raised

back of

pole through

twelve-foot

Julian

is

level.

bask in undisturbed

acre, like the

raised about five

Upon
sleep.

feet

this crocodiles

CHAP,

THE DIAHBEEAH EXFLOEES AHEAD.

vi.j

"

January

2b.

"

January

26.

yards,

The meu cut about 300 yards.

We again accomplislied about 300

and pushed the

''January

193

27.

vessels within the channel.

We

are

thankful

com-

for

paratively open ditch, deep, but covered with grass,

through which the diahbeeah cut her path by sailing

and we entered the lake

before a strong breeze,

11.20.

little

alone:

''

is

fleet are close

the

last

up, but there

deepening necessary at the mouth of the

lake

and broad

river,

for

six miles

and anchored

for

night.

Januai^

28.

With a

light breeze, the diahbeeah

and stopped

sailed four miles,

whence we turned back

is

no change here since

The diahbeeah went ahead

channel.

the

There

The steamer and

year.
is

A.M.

at

at the three dubbas,

last year.

Even now

there

we

shall

only three feet and a half of water, and

Our fisherman, Howarti, caught

have great trouble.

a great haul of fine boulti with the casting-net.

''January

slight

29.

shower

shot

fell

some ducks and

in early morning.

about seven miles of the river in

depth

is

geese.

explored

advance.

The

very unsatisfactory, varying from shallows

to deep channels.

"January
last

30.

The

night and to-day.

VOL.

I.

fleet

joined in sections during

Set to

work with the

"

long-

ISMAILIA.

194

[chap.

VI.

handled hoes, and cut a channel through the shallows

and took the

for fifty yards,

"January
lows, but

31.

we

Cut

vessels forward.

a channel through the shal-

could not get the steamer along.

''February

1.

About 1,200 men

at

work Cutting a

channel and towing the steamer and noggurs through.

The diahbeeah and two noggurs passed ahead

We

about a mile.

and other

for

then stopped to await the steamer

were delayed by the powerful

vessels that

current.
"

February 2. Stopped

day waiting

for the

steamer about a mile ahead of the noggurs.

When

we

left

the dul:>ba,

had

all

a letter in a bottle,

left

addressed to Tayib Agha, to order him to come on

without delay, and deepen the channels

should
'^

it

3.

The

came up

steiimer

At 10.45 the diahbeeah made

sail

as there is

by the west branch

no water in the

" For six miles

at this

feet in

sail,

many

and

by a small sudd.

miles was delayed

Even

cut,

be necessary.

February

taken to

we have

at

after

places,

two

Care must be

of the

two streams,

east channel.

we have had nothing but

season there

10 a.m.

is

shallows.

only a depth of four

and a month hence the river

will be impassable.
"

Tayib Agha's boats are in

sight,

about four miles

CHAP.

ARRIVE AT SHALLOWS.

VI.]

distance, bearing north.

We

sudd,

of a

quarter

in

and.

an open water, very shallow

Stopped

three feet deep.

and

arrival of the steamer

immediately.
for

cut through the small

we

mile

the

for

arrived

many

in

others, I

the channel to be cleared.

195

at

places only

and upon

fleet,

had marked out

The men

set

work

to

then passed ahead with the diahbeeah

about a mile and a

the depth of water,

half,

as usual, varying, but often as low^ as four feet.

AVe

were at length stopped at the

two

The sun was

channels, each shallow.

fore

we

the

river

"

halted

the

for

about 200

February

4.

night.

left

some

places

work

for the

here a

is

is

dingy early in the

the

only three feet

earlier,

feet.

No

than 1st of January

dry.

that on the

thus there

their arrival.

we could have

shallows, as our vessels

imposition

crossed

the true stream, but the depth in

men upon

month

over four

tliere-

water beyond a depth of about two

right has no

The

setting,

buffalo

morning and explored both channels

feet.

of

yards ahead.
took

confluence

is

Had we

more

arrived

just passed the

draw an average

of a little

vessels should arrive here later

;

month

the entire river

later,

is

a ridiculous

the bed will be nearly

mile ahead, both channels are closed by a

sudd of vegetation,

we must

thus

wait until
2

the

196

IIS

MA ILIA

[chap. VI

Altogether the entire journey by the

boats arrive.

Bahr

Girafte

a painful absurdity, and

is

my

expe-

dition will be fruitless in all but geographical results,

Soudan

unless the authorities of the

main channel of the White

"February
day.

None

Nile.

of the vessels arrived yester-

went back and found them

as the

5.

water

leaving

is

us

in a terrible

fix,

and we must

rapidly,

a fresh channel through

cut

will clear the

about one

the sand,

hundred yards long.

''February

6.

took the diahbeeah a mile and a

quarter ahead to a sudd, passing over several shallows

two

of only

feet eight inches,

will again cause great delay

the

fleet,

the

and

and labour.

the

shallows.

feet,

which

returned to

work

of dragging

In the

evening

assisted in the tedious

over

vessels

and three

returned to the diahbeeah, and having dragged the

dingy across the sudd,

for

an hour,

explored the channel ahead

for about three miles

passed over dis-

tressing shallows for a space of a quarter of a mile

ahead of

the

diahbeeah,

after

which

entered a

deep, narrow channel with very rapid current.

"It

is

quite impossible to say where

the professed guides seem to

horrible
stantly.

we

know nothing

chaos,

which changes

It is

most harassing.

its

are,

as

of this

appearance

con-

NO BETBEAT ALLOWED.

CHAP. VI.]

''February

7.

Last

beeah back to the

shall

last

so

fleet,

The

forward personally.

we

evening

have,

Eaouf Bey

officers

should the river run

here

until

rise

manner

as

they shall remain

dry,

the water during

of

wet season, when they

go on to AVat

shall

has friglitened

decision

hope

that no boats shall retreat, but

officially,

the

dia-

informed them and

therefore,

that

working to-day with better

" I

and

soldiers

tlie

push the work

to

return as failures, in the same

year.

This

brought

as

197

them,

the
el

next

Shambi.

and they

are

spirit.

unpacked and served out a hundred spades

for digging channels

and

have ordered them to

commence to-morrow morning, and dig out

passage for the thirty-one vessels that

a straight

still

remain

in the shallows.
*'

February

year from

8.

This

Khartoum

is

the date of departure last

an

inconceivable

had any one known the character

madness,

of the river.

All

hands as usual tugging, hauling, and deepening the

river with spades

the

faster

the

and hoes

but the more we dig,

water runs out of

tlie

bed,

whicli

All

hands

threatens to leave us high and dry.

'^

February

9.

The

thoroughly disgusted.
vessels

work
I

am

by discharging cargo

as

usual.

obliged to lighten the

in

tlie

mud.

Our

ISMATL'iA.

198

[chap. VI,

waggons make excellent platforms

Even with

this assistance

for the luggage.

we only drew seven

vessels

through the shallows into the true river channel.

" To-morrow

"The
eight

we must

anxiety of leading 1,600 men, and

When

heavy

with

vessels

horrible country

"

discharge more cargo.

is

through

cargoes

this

very distressing.

have succeeded in dragging the

shall

fifty-

vessels into the true channel, I shall construct a

dam

in the rear, so as to retain the water at a higher level.

i

have no doubt that a

of such

series

dams

will be

Should

it

be impossible to proceed with the heavy vessels,

required to enable us to reach the Nile.

shall leave

them thatched over

as floating stores, with

a small guard, until the next wet season shall raise

the river level.
''

February

so that

cargoes,

three

All

feet.

work, as

it is

sand, which
''

10.

vessels

gave orders to discharge

all

no vessel should draw more than

hands

are

now employed

at

this

impossible to cut a channel through the

fills

February

diahbeeah,

\\.

in as fast as

it

Twenty-seven

having

deepened.

is

vessels passed the

lightened their

must discharge everything

cargoes

The work

is

these

at the Khor, one

and a half mile ahead, and return

remaining baggage

to

fetch

the

tremendous, and

CHAP.

ALL DISHEARTENED.

VI.]

The damage

the risk great.

should a heavy shower

199

of stores

certaiu,

is

which the cloudy

fall,

and

state

of the weather renders probable, the whole of our

stores,

now

"To-day

lying on the soft mud, will be destroyed.

cut a deeper channel near the diahbeeah,

and divided the men into gangs on the various shallow

tow each boat past

spots, to

steamer

is

hard and

fast,

as she

may

The

arrive.

althouoh she has discharsred

everything, and she must be literally dug out of the

passage."

March
had

toiled

men

liad

9.

From

February

11

to

through every species of

cut one straiQ;ht line of

this

difficulty.

clay for a distance of 600 yards.

sick,

some had died

It

was

officers

in vain

that

The

canal through a

stiff

we

date

Many

were

there appeared to be no hope.

endeavoured to cheer both

and men with

tales

and assurances of the

promised land before them, should they only reach

the Nile.

They had worked

fetid

marshes

broken,

the

until

their

like
spirits

slaves

in these

were

entirely

Egyptians had ceased to care whether

they lived or died.

The enormous quantity of machinery,

of steamers, supplies, &c.,

from fifty-eight
lower,

vessels.

and upon the

iron sections

had actually been discharged

The

river

had

quickly sun-baked

fallen still

surface

ISMAILi'A.

200

made

road,

and having

my

up

set

[chap.

vi.

waggons,

conveyed the great mass of cargo across the land by

a short cut, and thus reached

and reloaded them

my

long line of vessels,

The waggons

after great labour.

were then taken to pieces and

re- shipped.

It

would

be wearying to give the journal of every incident

during this trying period,

given,

already

fatigue

Thank God,

imagined.
life.

the

From morning

Lieutenant

and

anxiety

may

to bear a

charmed

night I was exploring

mud and

My

fever-proof.

Baker

from the description

seemed

till

a small boat through

completely

l^ut

and

Mr.

marsh, but

was

wife

officers
I

me most

important

exploring,

sounding,

rendered

was

ahead

out the route. Lieutenant

well.

had

Hifforinbotham

suffered frequently from fever, but these

energetic

service.

and

While
planning

commanding

Baker was

and directing the steamer, which appeared more

a huge stranded whale

among

the rushes

object adapted for the navigation of

country.

had a

some picked men

first-rate

of the "

crew on

this

Forty Thieves

"

like

than an
horrible

my diahbeeah,

and

who always

accompanied me. The best and most devoted

T

in

was

also

be

man that

have ever seen was a corporal of the " Forty Thieves"

named Monsoor.

This

man was

a Copt (Christian

descendant of the true Egyptians)

he was rather

CHAP.

DISCOVER THE WHITE NILE.

VI.]

short,

but exceedingly powerful

and never seemed to

like

an

was

alwa3'S in

otter,

accompanied
to

lie

201

swam and

dived

He

feel fatigue.

good health, very courageous, and he

me

like

my own

shadow

he seemed

watch over me as a mother would regard an only

In

child.

fact, this

man

excellent

appeared to have

only one thought and object.

had been

usual exploring far ahead of

as

and labouring

toiling

men

boat with fourteen

little

a great mass of high,

and hoisted

We

at once took

miles

five

per

north, and
liour,

the

rounded a promontory until

about

half a mile.

the

The wind was

river,

we

river,

so

swamps

We

long-sought

unlike

and

as

all

about
as

we

attained a width of

a river flowing

Only one

channel.
lake,

joy and thankfulness.

feelings.

at

expanding

by

entered the great White Nile

my

describe

travelled

we found

and a quarter from the

mile

my

it

our

Following the course of the

lake for about five miles,

directly into

we

lake

to

The men stowed

themselves as ballast in the bottom.

strong from the

we suddenly

grass,

sprit-sail.

tlie

after pulling our

for several hours over

floating

emerged upon open water.

boat,

when,

fleet,

the

this

small

cannot

My men

shared

drank water from the turbid

the

each

marsh-filtered

man washed

water of the
his

hands and

ISMA ILIA.

202

It

was an hour

"

after

much

difficulty, to

The good news made

happy.

all

my

a lantern

mast-head, thoughtfully placed there by

wife's orders.

his

dark when

we were guided by

diahbeeah, to which
at the

("Thank God!")

lUah

retui-ned that night, after

from

ejaculated

el

thanked God.

also

we

hambd

''El

heart,

stream, he

noble

the

in

face

[ciiAr. vi.

my
We

had actually that day drunk water from the White

Nile.

The great
fleet

the

into

months,
fleet

in

this place

mile

sudd

covered

deep water,

from

by

us

solid

the

last

the

two

entire

from which there

had certainly escaped from

by dragging the

of frightful

the

assembling

in a sort of shallow pond,

exit.

bringing

communicated with

labour of

the

all

had succeeded

was actually no

that

lake

laro^e

After

the river.

remained of

difficulty

little

dingy over about

but although this sudd

appeared to be shut out

it

mud, through

which

numerous

streams percolated, the largest of which was about

three feet broad

and

six inches deep.

drains concentrated in

a narrow

ditch,

These small

which was

the principal feeder of the pond, in which, with such

infinite

trouble,

the

fleet

was an anxious moment,

had been assembled.

as it

to cut a canal through solid

mud

It

would be necessary
for a o-reat distance

CHAP.

VI.]

THE FLEET HELPLESSLY AGROUND/

we could reach

before

tlie

lake

and

as

we had made

a free exit for the water behind us, w^hile

slowly

through before

oozed

chance of being

On

left helplessly

we

us,

203

only

it

stood

a fair

aground.

the following morning, the good

news

the

of

discovery of the White Nile flew through the expedition.

was a

Many

did not believe

dodo-e to induce

them

but considered

it,

to extra

exertion.

it

immediately gave orders for a channel to be opened

mud and

through the

large obstruction into the lake.

After some days' hard work, a passage was completed

that was sufficiently deep
It

required

to

admit the diahbeeah.

whole day to force her through

this

narrow channel, and in the evening we entered the

lake,

and hoisted the

as a signal to the

flag at the

fleet

that

end of the

tall

yard,

we had accomplished

the passage.
It

was now

only necessary to

improve the channel

of the steamer

and heavier

Unfortunately
fleet

sufficiently to

my

was hard and

fast

so helplessly deserted

have served

for

fears

admit the passage

vessels.

had proved

aground

correct

the

The steamer was

a Nilometer upon which to

move

by the water, that she would

the level, like the rock at Assouan.

impossible to

work hard and

her, as she

was

It

mark

was simply

as solidly fixed

ISM A ILIA.

204

Every other

as a church.

high out

of

the

the clear channel

The

With

vessel of the fleet stood

which had run

water,

we had opened

men were

and

officers

are soon disheartened,

for them, as the

work

made

great allowance

two months had

energy.

all

make

at once determined to

would be physi-

it

of the last

been sufficient to destroy

consternation.

These sort of people

and

dam

vessels so as to inclose the position in

like

a mill-pond.

this

must succeed

could construct a

Common

behind the

which we lay

sense assured

in raising the

dam

by

out

for our advance.

in

the prize within our grasp,

cally impossible to proceed

[chap. VI.

level,

me

that

provided

we

of sufficient strength to bear

the pressure of water.

I

of

had a great quantity of

beams and

fore instructed

of piles

fir

timber in the shape

rafters for building purposes.

I there-

Mr, Higginbotham to prepare two rows

which were to be driven across the

river.

This able engineer set to work with his usual energy,

assisted

by Lieutenant

men, together with

all

J.

A. Baker and the English-

the mechanics that had been

brought from Cairo.

The
and
of

piles

diagonal
the front

were
struts

row

to

driven

were
the

with

some

fastened

base

of

difficulty,

from the top

the rear.

Hori-

CHAP.

VI.]

zontal

CONSTRUCT A

DAM

ACROSS THE RIVER.

beams then secured the

205

entire line of skeleton

bridge.

For

two

making

days

of long, thick reeds

fascines

bundles, in the centre

mass of about

men were employed

1,500

in large

which was concealed

of

pounds of

fifty

tied

in

These

clay.

stiff

bundles were firmly lashed with twisted rushes.

had 500 corn sacks

filled

with sand and clay, these

were to form the foundation of the dam, and to prevent the water from burrowing beneath.

Every
certain

company

number

of

troops

of fascines,

side of the river,

had

grass,

banks

solid

high reedy grass.

mensely long and thick

which were piled on the

which had now exposed

overgrown with the

prepare

to

This

im-

resembling sugar-canes,

was exactly the material that we required.

this grass that created natural obstructions,

It

was

and would

therefore assist us in our artificial obstruction or dam.

The

sailors of the fleet

separate

worked

in

divisions

under

officers.

On March
pleted for the

13,

work

all

the

preparations were

of filling in the dam.

com-

Great piles

of solid balls of clay, of about 40lbs. each, had been

arranged in convenient places to stop up any leaks

that should occur.
I

stood on one of the stranded boats only a few

ISMAIL!A.

206

yards from the row of

piles.

[chap.

The men were

At

another vessel ready to give the signal.

bugle, every

two men

At once

the

all

lifted the sacks of

row

of

energy.

It

sand and

clay.

troops

dropped

now worked with

this

was a work

to

into

intense

which the

were accustomed in their own country.

as vigorously as the troops

and clay

first

was a race between the Soudanis and

the Egyptians

worked

the

stamped down by

and firmly

piles,

The

the men.

ujDon

drums and bugles then sounded the

advance, and 500 heavy sacks were

the

all in

The buglers and drummers stood

their places.

vi.

balls

The

latter
sailors

piles of fascines

were laid with extraordinary rapidity,

while some stamped frantically and danced, upon the

entangled mass,

all

screaming and shouting in great

excitement, and the bugles and

incessant din.

drums kept up an

long double line of

men formed

transport corps, and passed a never-failing supply of

fascines to the

workers

who

stood in the water and

kneaded firmly the adhesive mass.

At

2.15 P.M.

the river was completely shut in,

and the people with increased energy worked at the

superstructure of the

dam,

which now rose

like

causeway for about one hundred and ten yards from

shore to shore.

At 3.30 the water had

risen

to

an extent that

CHAP.

SUCCESS OF THE DAM.

VI.]

obliged the

men

in

some places

207

The steamer

to swim.

that

had been hopelessly stranded, and the

fleet,

were floating merrily in the pond.

had forgotten nothing

ments

bill-hooks,

Thank God,

in the preparatory arrange-

AVithout the spades, hoes,

for the expedition.

grass-knives,

entire

timber, &c.,

&c.,

we never

could have succeeded in this journey.

My

diahbeeah was in the lake waiting for the

to accomplish the passage.

fleet

had made an excursion

one day in the dingy to examine the south end of

the lake, which

On

length.

small

found to be about eight miles in

returning, I

boat, as a bull

demonstration.
feet six inches

was rather anxious

for the

hippopotamus made a

hostile

The water was not more than

deep

five

thus as the hippo, after having

snorted and sunk, continued to approach the boat,

I

could distinguish the path of his advance by the

slight

wave

raised his

raised

upon the

surface.

He

presently

head about twenty yards from the boat,

but at the same time he received a Keilly explosive

shell

under the eye which ended his worldly

There w^ere

many hippopotami

in

had

killed

the

the

same manner.

boat with

rope

very shortly after

second

much

after

carried a harpoon in the

ambatch

float.

cares.

The

latter

this lake,
first,

the

was painted

and,

shot a

always

and

red, so that

I8MAILIA.

208
it

could be easily observed.

[ciiAP. VI.

therefore stuck the

harpoon in the dead hippopotamus as a mark, and

I

hastened back to

diahbeeah for assistance, as the

two hippopotami would be very welcome

flesh of

who had not

the people,

meat

my

many

for

we quickly made

it

and soon returned

to

the

we had

up

this

time

the

considered

the other hippo

and tow

arrival at the diahbeeah

it

cut

flesh,

the sun was so

would be

better to secure

and secured the

large animal

low that

sail,

By

hippopotamus.

received rations of butcher's

On

weeks.

to

to the hind legs,

by a rope attached

bodily astern of the diahbeeah.

It could

then be divided on the following day.

In this manner
the

tail

we returned

to

our anchorage at

of the lake, close to the entrance of the

channel.

By

the time

The diahbeeah was

with high grass,

we

arrived, the

to

close

new

moon was

up.

mud-bank covered

and about thirty yards astern of

her was a shallow part of the lake about three feet

deep.

light

hippopotamus'

was

boat of zinc
flesh,

and the

full

of

dingy was

strips

of

fastened

alongside.

After dinner and a pipe, the usual arrangements

were made for the night.

There were

male and female, on board

their mosquito curtains

many

servants,

these began to suspend

to the rigging

and

to creep

CHAP.

FURIOUS ATTACK OF A HIPPOPOTAMUS. 209

VI.]

beneath

the sailors, after chatting for a considerable

time, dropped off to sleep

only

man on

who was on

board

was the

until the sentry

the

alert.

always

on the poop-deck, which was comfortably

slept

mth

ranged

and

sofas

The night was

ar-

carpets.

cold,

and the moon

clear

and

bright.

Every one was wrapped up in warm blankets, and

was
until

sound

so

asleep,

that I cannot

describe

more

was suddenly awoke by a tremendous splash-

ing quite close to the diahbeeah, accompanied by the

hoarse wild snorting of a furious hippojDotamus.

jumped

up, and immediately perceived a hippo which

was apparently about

to

attack

the

The

vessel.

main deck being crowded with people sleeping

be-

neath their thick mosquito curtains, attached to the

stairs of the

poop-deck, and to the rigging in

directions, rendered

once

tore

it

away some

the sleepy people.

My

impossible to descend.
of

the

rifle.

bring the

Before
rifle,

the

to

sleep-

him

Suleiman

affrighted

With one blow he

sank the zinc boat with

its

cargo of

instant he seized the dingy in his

the crash of splintered

I.

was

for

could

the hippopotamus dashed at us with

indescribable fury.

VOL.

called

at

and awakened

servant, Suleiman,

ing next to the cabin door.

a

ties,

all

flesh.

capsized and

In another

immense jaws, and

wood betokened the complete

P

IHMAILIA.

210
destruction

my

of

favourite

[chap. VI.

By

boat.

time

this

Suleiman appeared from the cabin with an unloaded

gun

in his

This was

hand and without ammunition.

was never overburdened

a very good man, but he

with presence of mind

he was shaking so fearfully

with nervousness, that his senses had entirely abanAll the people were shouting

doned him.

and en-

deavouring to scare the hippo, which attacked us

without ceasing with a blind fury that

have never

witnessed in any animal except a bull-dog.

By

time

this

and ready

loaded,

The movements
and

charged

fixed

with

the
in

bags

a
of

the animal were so rapid, as

of

plunged

alternately

water in a cloud of foam

impossible

kept

action,

for

from

rifle

ammunition on the same shelf

breechloadino;

he

always

were

where they

cabin,

row,

had procured a

to

beneath

and wave, that

it

aim correctly at the small but

the

was
fatal

spot upon the head.

The moon was extremely

as he

bright,

and presently,

charged straight at the diahbeeah,

him with

he

recovered,

soon

No. 8

Reilly shell.

and

again

shot

at

To

my

stopped
surprise,

commenced

the

attack.
I

ent

fired
effect.

shot

after

him without appar-

The diahbeeah rocked about upon the

CHAP.

VI.]

RENEWED ATTACK.

waves raised by the

movement rendered

this

high

about

grass

aim

the

he

there

twenty-five

lay

yards'

an animal

so large

uncertain.

badly wounded,

apparently

length,

the

efforts of

211

he

At

retired

to

by the bank,

at

distance,

snorting

and

blowing.
I

could not distinguish him, as merely the head

was above water, and

was concealed by the

this

deep shadow thrown by the high

that he would die,
I

went

Thinking

grass.

to bed

but before this

took the precautioD to arrange a white paper sight

upon the muzzle

shooting

We

is

had

of

my

without which, night

rifle,

very uncertain.
fallen

asleep

but

in

about

half

hour we were awoke by another tremendous

and

once

more

directly at us as

this

mad

though unhurt.

he was at the diahbeeah

ball

in

beast

but

came

an

splash,

chargincj

In another instant
I

met him with a

the top of his head which sent

him

rolling

over and over, sometimes on his back, kicking with

his four legs above the surface,

and again producing

waves which rocked the diahbeeah.

In this helpless

manner he

rolled

for

stream, and

we

thought him kiUed.

all

about

fifty

down

yards

the

To our amazement he recovered, and we heard

him splashing

as he

moved slowly along

the river

P 2

212

/>SiVf.4

TL IA

[chap. vi.

high grass hj the

througli the

There

bank.

left

he remained snorting and blowing, and as the light

moon was

of the

of the

hio'h

of no service in the dark shadows

we waited

o;rass,

considerable

for

time and then went to bed, with the

in readiness

In

time

short

got

yards

distant,

and

and

up,

heard

perceived

Having a
and

right

louder

splashing.

left

in

shot at the shoulder,

fair

with the No. 8 Reilly

He

distinctly heard the bullets strike.

theless reached

him about eighty

walking slowly across the river

the shallows.
fired

placed

on deck.

again

rifle

the right bank,

when he

rifle,

never-

presently

turned round and attempted to re-cross the shallow.

This gave

body was

me

a good chance at the shoulder, as his

forward at the shot, and

flat

dead in the shallow

fell

of the river.

He was now
the

past recovery.

thermometer

blankets

were

On

very

agreeable,

He had

his

was very cold

as

once

and

more

the
all

sleep.

made

a post-mortem

received three shots in the

and shoulder; four

broken

It

Fahrenheit,

the following morning I

examination.
flank

54

was

hands turned in to

had

This time he staggered

entirely exposed.

in the head, one of

lower jaw

another

had

which
passed

CHAP.

DAMAGE

VI.]

TO BOAT.

213

through his nose, and, passing downward, had cut

off

one of his Large tusks.

never witnessed such

determined and unprovoked fury as was exhiljited

by

this

animal

he

appeared

be

to

His body was a mass of frightful

was one scar about two

two inches below the
the

in

feet

own

species

and about

length,

evidently a

There

unhealed.

upon

level of the surface skin,

He was

flank.

still

mad.

the result

scars,

of continual conflicts with bulls of his

some of these wounds were

raving

character

of the

worst description, but whose madness rendered him

callous to all punishment.

the

attack

upon the

smell

of the

hung

in

long

can only suppose that

vessels

was induced by the

raw hippopotamus
strips

about the

which the zinc boat was

potamus that was

rigging,

and with

The dead hippo-

filled.

astern

floating

which was

flesh,

lashed

to

the

diahbeeah had not been molested.

We

raised the zinc boat,

The dingy had

unhurt.

which was fortunately

lost

mouthful,

as

hippopotamus had bitten out a portion of the

including

the

gunwale

munched out a
vessel,

hard

like

the

wood
port

of

he
a

side,

had
small

which he had accomplished with the same

ease as though
I

piece

of

the

sent

the

it

had been a

slice of toast.

boat to the English shipwrights for

ISMAILIA.

214
and these

repair,

[chap. VI.

workmen turned

capital

out

it

few days nearly as good as new.

in a

The success

The

river

rose

dam was most

the

of
so

complete.

overflow

to

as

which enabled us to push

all

marshes,

the

up the

the vessels

channel without the necessity of deepening

it

by

spade labour.

''March

14.

Gondokoro
greatest

Should

without

possible

we succeed

serious

triumph over

can understand who

one

necessities

" Mr.

loss,

reaching

in

difliculties

has

not

be

the

that

no

will

it

the

witnessed

of the journey.

McWilliam's

vessel

arrived

the

in

lake,

breaking her yard in a sudden shift of wind, and

man

giving a
"

fall

from

The steamer and

sudd as

aloft,

fleet are

which was

fatal.

coming through the

fast as the troops clear the channel.

''March

15.

The

steamer arrived in the lake at

3.30 P.M.

"March
82.

16.

Thermometer,

Eleven vessels

entered

The wind has been very

days,

the

variable

and the true north wind

deserted us

61; noon,

a.m.,

lake
for

last

night.

the last few

appears

to

have*

the absence of a fair wind delays us

sadly in pushing through the narrow channels against

the stream.

CHAP.

THE FLEET ENTERS THE LAKE.

VI.]

215

"Dysentery and scurvy are prevalent among the

Four Egyptian

Egyptians.

Where

have deserted.

wander

to

have

to

quite

is

yielded

upon the

first

to

and two Soudanis

soldiers

these wretched fools

intend

they

appear

speculation

temptation

away

run

to

dry land that they have seen for

months.

"The

fleet

The Egyptian

assembled in the lake.

troops cut a passage for fifty yards through a sudd

in a channel

there

is

through which the

must

fleet

a shallow that will prevent

pass,

as

them from taking

the main course of the lake.

"To-morrow the
cut

the

remaining

there will

wliole

portion

of

out and

turn

force will

about

300

yards

then be no difficulty except a sudd of

about three quarters of a mile between the lake and

the White Nile.

"March

17.

We

cut through the sudd, and

the vessels entered the broad waters of the lake

all

and

anchored in the evening opposite some native huts,

close to

the channel that

These huts are the

seen

for

more than

first

we must open to-morrow.

habitations

two months

that

they

deserted by the frightened fishermen

we have
are

who had

now
occu-

pied them.

"March

18.

The

diahbeeah led the

way

at 7.30

ISMAILIA.

216
tlirough

A.M.

cliannel

tlie

and the Fistia

SUxttiotes.

the White Nile.

There

is

[chap.

that

by

closed

is

At 10.15 we

VI.

grass

arrived in

plenty of water throughout

the closed channel, but there was some heavy work

to clear

"March
the

vegetation.

tlie

19.

White

All

throughout the
believed

and

Nile,

that

fleet.

there

was

great

into

rejoicing

men

At length the

country of

came through

the vessels

really

might

dry land

lie

before them, and that they were delivered from the

chaos

horrible

they had
" I

or

now

served

'

Slough of Despond

'

in

which

laboured for sixty days.

out

new tow-ropes

to

the

fleet,

and

ordered No. 13 transport to discharge and divide her

cargo

among

other vessels, and

thirty soldiers to

We
all

take

to

on board

accompany the steamer to-morrow.

remounted the steamer's paddles and tautened

the

rio-oino;

of the

diahbeeah

mended

sails,

thoroughly repaired for a start to-morrow.

being a rotten vessel,
divided

among

ordered her

the lighter boats.

cargo

and

No. 31
to

be

gave stringent

orders to the ofiicers to protect aU ammunition and

bales of

goods with galvanised u-on plates in case

of rain.

''March

20.

All the vessels got

with a rattling breeze.

The steamer

away by

9 a.m.

started at 10.8

CHAP.

THE WHITE NILE AT LAST!

VI.]

217

but was delayed one hour and twenty minutes

A.M.,

by her

dragging

stupidly

noggur

the

ashore

in

rounding a sharp corner.

"At

At

bank.

we

we arrived

5.15 P.M.
6

might

Ad

p.m.

the

pass

we

on the west

at a forest

stopped, as
of

station

was

afraid

AVat-el-Shambi

in

the dark.

''March
natives

21.

came

At

8.25

to the vessel

a.m.

we

Three

started.

and reported the zareeba

to be close ahead.

"
per

served out fifteen rounds of snider ammunition

man

to the

'

Forty Thieves,' thus

pouches to thirty rounds.

and about two

The country
on the west.

is

The banks

feet six inches

as usual

flat,

up

their

now

dry,

filling

are

above the

river's level.

but covered with forest

and bellowing

in all

arrived at Wat-el- Shambi.

The

Cattle numerous,

directions.

" At 9.15 A.M.

forest is

we

distant from the river, therefore at 10

started with light south-east wind,

and

at 10.30

returned to a good station for cutting fuel in

forest aljout four miles

"The few

we

we
the

below Wat-el-Shambi.

representatives of Ali Amouri, the trader

at the latter station, declared that they could

not

up

for

supply us

with

provisions

themselves.

cattle,

they
Their

being
looks

hard

l)elied

the


ISMA ILIA.

218

Wind

excuse.

south

all

[chap. VI.

day, but changed to north

the French trader, Jules

at 6.30 P.M.

The boat

Poncet,

had accompanied the

tliat

of

arrived in

fleet,

the evening.

"A

with wood ashes, came as usual to

I

have given

and smeared

of natives, stark naked,

number

strict

beg for corn.

orders that on no account shall

corn be exchanged in purchases from the natives

This

otherwise our supply will be stolen wholesale.

order

was broken through by Mustapha

therefore received a

mined
"

hundred

Ali,

was deter-

lashes, as I

to enforce obedience.

March

22.

Much

lightning and wind from the

south during the night.

I fear

At daybreak

rain.

many

found Eaouf Bey's vessel close up, and

w^e

The north wind

others near.

have

who

aided

them.

The

of

last

natives

night

came

in

must
some

numbers.
"

March

23.

busied in cutting

''March

All

hands

wood

24.

Poor

25.

yesterday and

to-day

for steamer.

Jusef, one of the horsekeepers,

died.

"

March

noggur and

on board,

my

Started, with the steamer towdng a

diahbeeah with about

fifty hours' fuel

at 12.50 p.m.

"There has been wholesale

theft of stores

on No.

"

CHAP.

TtilEVES.

VI.]

50 uoggur.
the

act

caught and punished the captain in

of

219

selling

our ammunition

the

to

slave-

traders' people in their zareeba.

"

March

the stream

hour

an

26.

We

is

nearly three miles per hour.

travelled throuo-hout last night

evening

last

in

noggur in tow, as she

six

men and

"Arrived
A.M.,

wood from

the

is

took

from her, and placed them

quite unsafe.

at the station of

Abou Kookah

at 10.25

having travelled badly against the strong south

At 3.10

wind, and our bottom

dirty.

Abou Kookah, and

9.50 p.m.

forest,

close

Croix, where

to

we

at

we

p.m.

we

halted for the

many

left

arrived at the

the deserted mission station of

vast herds of cattle and

bank.

lost

leaks dangerously.

their effects

on the steamer, as she

taking

We

night.

St.

There were

natives on the east

CHAPTEK

VII.

ARRIVAL AT GONUOKORO.

After

the

voyage

usual

upon

White

the

Nile,

during which we passed the Bohr and Shir

and had excellent sport

in antelope shooting

the steamer stopped at forests to cut fuel,

opposite the old

tribes,

mission station

at

we

when

arrived

Gondokoro on

April 15, 1871.

I

found a great change in the river since

visit

it

swept beneath the

New

with sand-banks.

and

approach

it

the

was
old

islands

ground and a few

that

was

for

landing-place.

was choked

the

We

in

many

vessels

to

therefore

a spot where

high

trees invited us to the east bank.

this spot the traders

ment

cliffs,

had formed

impossible

dropped down the stream to

At

last

The old channel, which had been of great

depth where

places,

my

now

had founded a new

without

inhabitants,

settle-

and

CHAP.

CHANGE IN THE COUNTRY.

VII.]

was represented

221

by half-a-dozen broken-down old

liiits.

"The country

is

sadly changed;

formerly, pretty

native villages in great numbers Avere dotted over the

landscape,

land was

beneath shady clumps of

Now,

thickly populated.

all

not a village exists on the mainland

and the

trees,
is

desolate

they have

all

been destroyed, and the inhabitants have been driven

for refuge

on the numerous low islands of the river

these are thronged with villages, and the people are

busily cultivating the

*'

soil.

I sent for the chief,

upon

Allorron, who,

arrival

with some other natives, explained that his country

had been destroyed by the attacks of the people of

Loquia at the instigation of the

him protection
to

tlic

he and

if

traders.

promised

would return

his people

mainland and become true subjects to the

At

Khedive,

the same time I informed

him

that, in

return for protection, his people must cultivate corn,

and build the huts required

arrival.

for

This he promised to do, and

he should

men and

summon
their

troops

the
I

upon

arranged that

a general meeting of the head-

people to-morrow,

or

as

soon

as

possible.

"I
sowed

at once

some

cleared

garden

a small plot of ground and

seeds

on

the

new

soil

now

222

ISMAILIA.

My

annexed to Egypt.

ejaculation

we concluded

Bismillah

'

" I walked

up

brick remains

The few

soldiers took a great interest

and as we covered

in the operation,
light earth,

[chap. VII.

the sowing with the usual

the

(in

'

seeds with

tlie

name

of God.)

Not one

to the old mission station.

upon another

all is

totally destroyed.

by the pious hands

fruit-trees planted

of

the Austrian Missionaries remain in a tangled wilder-

by the

ness

bank.

river's

The beautiful avenue of

large lemon-trees has been defaced

of

many

boughs, while the ground beneath

many

covered by

have

from the branches without a

them,

The

them.

to gather

is literally

thousands of withered lemons that

fallen neglected

hand

by the destruction

thus the

delicious

natives

has

fruit

will

been

not eat

wasted

perhaps sixty or eighty bushels have rotted on the

earth.

will

trust that the seeds

have already sown

have a more useful result than the

of the unfortunate missionaries.

It

lost labour

would be heart-

breaking to them could they see the miserable ter-

mination of

"April

all

16.

their

The

the Bahr Giraffe

point (Gondokoro)

good works.
mileage from the junction

have calculated at 364 to

but

deduct 10 per

took several wTong turns of the

may

be about 330 miles.

river.

of
this

cent., as

we

The distance

CHAP.

A MOROSE WELCOME.

VII.]

Miles.

From Bahr

Giraffe junction to

Upper Nile junction

Babr

Giraffe

to

Gondokoro

Dubba on

330

223

224

ISMAIL'JJ.

[chap. VII.

rather approved of the idea that slave-taking would

be

suppressed

in

his

own

but he could not

tribe,

sympathise with the general principle, and he asked

"

What

Kader

my

will the slave-traders

do

replied to the question

"

Colonel Abd-el-

by explaining

to

him

exact position, and the relative position of the

traders.

At

this

he burst out laughing in the rudest

He had

manner.

me and my

seen

on our

wife

former voya.ge, and he well remembered that in those

days

we had been

not only helpless in Gondokoro,

but that the traders had spoken of

He had

contempt.
people of

my

all

Europeans with

already heard from

expected arrival, by

incited against the expedition.

to him, that if baffled,

It

Abou

whom

Saood's

he had been

had been explained

we should soon become

He

gusted, and return to Khartoum,

bered that

many Europeans had

like myself,

but none had remained.

also

remem-

Gondokoro

visited
It

dis-

was therefore

natural that a brutal savage, whose people were allied

with the slave-traders to attack and pillage outlying

countries,

should

not

regard

with favour a

government that would establish law and

many

years Allorron

the slavers, and

^

The agent

now

s tribe

order.

new
For

had been associated with

that the entire country had been

of the great

company of Agad

the district from the government.

&

Co.,

who farmed

CHAP.

TRUE STATE OF AFFAIRS.

VII.]

Abou

leased to one man,

225

Saood, he had become the

by whom

vakeel, or representative of this individual,

he had been thoroughly prepared for our

had been expected long

ago, but, as

arrival.

AVe

akeady described,

the delays attending the opening of the Suez canal

had prevented us from

I

starting.

quickly perceived the real

number of

great

state of

affairs.

Allorron's people were absent in the

employed by Abou Saood's companies as

interior,

mercenary

The Baris

soldiers.

are a

most warlike

tribe,

and would make excellent troops

were

valuable

allies

of

the

thus they

slave-hunters,

geographical position of Gondokoro rendered

as

the

it

the

only spot that was adapted for an important station.

Tlie

now

traders

ivory trade,

possessed of the monopoly of the

found

no necessity

for

station at Gondokoro, as their interests

during their absence in

Allorron

permanent

were watched

the interior by their

ally

they accordingly only visited Gondokoro

when they returned

periodically

from the interior

with their ivory and slaves to meet the vessels from

Khartoum.
Allorron was

in

the

habit

of despatching mes-

sengers to their various camps (seven or eight days'

march

for a

running negro) to give the vakeels notice

of the arrival of the expected vessels.

VUL.

I.

Many hunQ

ISMAILIA.

22G

had been armed with guns by

(Ireds of his people

the traders, therefore

of

[chap. VII

and the companies

tribe

liis

Abou Saood were thoroughly

ands

with

allied

incorporated,

and

l)rigands,

brig-

Gondokoro

become the nucleus to which the

had

was con-

spoil

centrated.

whom

These were people by

the blessings

of

good government were hardly to be understood.

Unfortunately
slave-hunters

that were

Allorron,

for

Abou

of

unpleasantly

he

Saood
close

had joined

ae^ainst

to

the

neiojhbours

The

Gondokoro.

Loquia, a most powerful tribe, only three days' march

to the south-east,

depredations

had

thus,

lost slaves

when

and

by

cattle

the slave-hunters'

these

parties

had quitted Gondokoro and returned to their station

in

the interior, Loquia had invaded the unprotected

Allorron,

and had utterly destroyed

the eastern mainland.

now resembled
tation

very

lovely

Every

park.

this formerly

hal)i-

populous

was quite deserted by the surviving inha-

who had taken

refuge in the islands, or on

the west- side of the river.

At

country was covered with a

species of fine grass, called

which

on

For many miles the country

had disappeared, and

position
bitants,

his district

is

the

this season the entire

tender

herbage

that

by the Arabs "negheel,"

best pasturage

for

cattle.

Allorron's

ABANDONED CUUNTHY.

cnAi'. VII.]

227

people dared not bring their herds to pasture upon

this beautiful land

from whence they had been driven,

as they were afraid that

Loquia,

news would soon reach

who would pounce unexpectedly upon them

from the neighbourinor

1

tlie

forest.

had theiefore arrived

in a country

the original possessors had been banished

force

there

tribe

was not a

from wliidi

by superior

single representative

upon the mainland, neither could

of

tlieir

tlie

cattle

venture across the river to pasture upon the beautiful

lierbage, that

was now

entirely neglected except

At the same

few herds of antelopes.

time,

by

the pas-

turage on the islands, being insufficient for the large

herds of

cattle,

was consumed, and the animals were

dependent upon the rank

grass,

which they could

only reach by wading into the water

many

tlius

were taken by crocodiles.

It

would

Allonou and
protection
I

invited

wliich

peo])le

his

now
them

natural

l)een

offered

to

suppose

that

would have welcomed the

by

the

new government.

to return to their old country,

from

they had been expelled, and to reluild their

villages

mencc

have

on their old

sites,

their cultivation,

where

tliey could

recom-

and form a new settlement

under the wing of our head -quarters.

It

was easy

to

perceive

by the manner of the

Q 2

ISMAILiA.

228

people that they had been

his

My

expedition.

had

been

advantage

resistance to the expedition.

misled

The negroes

may

be

may by

tales of evil

and

are easily

they are

as a

by a ghost

frightened

slave-

organize

to

naturally vicious and treacherous,

ready to believe any

also

the

to

had given them time

it

Egypt

dehiy in starting from

immense

of

as

traders,

child

VII.

by Abou Saood and his companies against

incited

the

and

Allorron,

chief,

[chap.

young
they

story,

a few words be rendered suspicious of

their best friend.

Their interests were the same as

those of the slave-traders.

My

"Forty Thieves" were excellent

men who were

the

all

constantly

the

military

the bulk of

now commenced

small

and a large garden.

station
I

force.

me were

about

who formed

very different from those

and

fellows,

had chosen a pretty spot

for

my

station,

as I

did not intend to reside at head -quarters, which would

be

the

site

mission,

My

originally

occupied

and was well adapted

station

was a

the

Austrian

for a large town.

rising knoll of about six acres

upon which grew a few shady

had been the

by

station

the natives under the

of

name

trees.

missionary
of

This spot

known by

" Suleiman

was the only name remembered by the

"

Baris,

his

and

CHAP.

COMMENCE A STATION.

VII.]

body

his

been buried here, but nothing marked

liad

the

spot.

He had

of

those

good and

leaving one

barous

229

passed away, like

self-sacrificing

of good

trace

except

tribe

people,

works among
lemon-trees

the

the

all

rest

without
this

bar-

theirs

was

the only seed that appeared to have fallen on good

ground.

my men

In a few days

which

in

four

sowed onions,

ra.dishes,

beans,

spinach,

water

melons,

sweet

melons,

of

varieties

cucumbers,

had made a large garden,

oranges,

custard

barmian, tobacco, cabbages,

garlic,

Indian

corn,

tomatoes,

chilis,

apples,

long capsicums, carrots, parsley, celery.

the

daily

work

should
11

labour so

after

the

at

that

soldiers

cultivation

and

from G

sailors

a.m.

till

which they might have the day to them-

selves, to construct their

At

the

arranged

this season,

extremely low

own

huts.

20th April 1871,

the

river

therefore fixed a pole with

was

marked

inches to register the rise of floods.

By

the

23rd April

gardens parallel

with

all

the

finest

be produced.

had

arranged

the lines of their camjx

gave them various seeds,

for

my men
witli

a promise of jorizes

specimens of vegetables that

I

had always endeavoured to

a taste for agriculture

among

my

people,

mioht
create

and they

ISMA ILIA.

t^30

had now

commencement

that the

leiuiit

[chap.

that

new

of a

settlement was the signal for cultivation.

vii.

believe

no employment engenders such a love of

particular locality as

ways that the

soil

that

of farming, provided al-

in

an expedition to a distant laud,

to

induce

the feelings of

The hut by

Thus,

and climate are favourable.

itself

home among

simply shelter,

is

it

is

necessary
people.

the

but the same

hut surrounded by a neat and productive garden,

the

of industry, becomes a settled residence.

result

It is pleasant to

watch the blossoms of home flowers

and vegetables that you may have yourself

duced and planted.
rot

may

intro-

good English cabbage or

car-

not be introduced in pee ay so generally as

the rose, but in a

the success of

new

settlement, in a wild country,

a cabbage or carrot

is

of

more im-

portance to the expedition than bouquets of flowers.

Even

M^omen

the

servants,

and boys that were

originally slaves that I

domestic

had liberated from

the traders,

had learnt

cultivation.

Each had a garden, and a day never

to take

a great interest in

passed without permission being asked for a

hours'

few

recreation with the spade or hoe, the latter

being the favourite implement, as the want of shoes

rendered the
difficult,

management

of

except in very light

the
soil.

spade extremely


CHAP.

VII.]

believe

COMMENCE CULTIVATION.

231

that a taste for gardening

has a most

influence

civilizing

a missionary,

natives the

your joint

in

principle

if

labour

that industry

few extracts from

my

were

with

and peace

journal will describe the

gradual progress of the settlement

" Mr.

search

of

The main

we took through

country,

park

like

magnificent

specimens

beautiful

timber

about

tamarind-tree

building

purposes.

an unlimited supply of wood,

is

most

the

for

the forest,

begins about two miles from this

which

includinor

timber

large

forest

in

station,

These

Higginbotham shot a waterbuck during an

exploratory ramble that

and

create prosperity.

will

in

should commence with such practical

thus proving

teaching,

the

among savages

are
in

tamarind-trees.

dotted

about

There

England.

mile from

this

the
is

station,

thousand cattle might find

beneath which about a

shade.
" There

is

native,

Arabic.

excellent

named Tomby, who speaks

This fellow

Khartoum, and he wears

has

been

twice

to

walking

clothes, instead of

about in a state of absolute nudity like his country-

He

men.

him

l)y

his

Jiartholome.

has an excellent
old

master,

Tomby

rifie

that

was given

a Frencli trader,

has

been

employed

to

Monsieur
as

in-

ISMAILIA.

232
terpreter
parts,

lie

Aboil

Saood

Belinian,

bom

and having been

[chap. VII.

and bred in these

appears that

It

a perfect chronicler.

is

treacherously murdered

of

sheik

the

a country about twelve miles distant from

This ruffian,

this station.

who

holds a contract from

the government, and who, with his partner Agad,

is

the lessee of 90,000 square miles of Central Africa,

manages

his affairs in this

sheik of Belinian,

He

manner.

who was

powerful

feared the

neighbour

he therefore, professing friendship, invited him and

an entertainment

his family to

at

Gondokoro.

sheik and his people, not suspecting

evil,

politely,

and when they were

and had entered into conversation, he had

seated,

them

them very

by

seized

his people,

the spot in cold blood.

and murdered them on

Owing

this treacherous

to

conduct, and the general behaviour of

parties,

the entire neighbourhood

camp

send a letter to the traders'

no one dares

to

Thermometer,

24:.

72.

We

Baker,

where
]\Ir.

at

thus

Saood's

and anI

cannot

Latooka, as

to travel.

April

station,

Abou

hostile,

is

archy prevails througliout the country

*'

arrived,

Abou Saood

bringing with them the usual presents.

received

The

had
I

6 a.m., 74; noon, fell

picnic

at

the

old

mission

went accompanied by Lieutenant

Higginbotham, and

my

wife, to

measure

CHAP.

VII.]

out

tlie

camp aud

A.M.

till

As

fort.

heavy

brought on

picnic

9.30

CATTLE CROSS THE UIVER.

usual in Eugiancl, the

-which

rain,

the

to

P.M.,

233

great

from

hasted

benefit

of the

garden.
" April 25.

We

Thermometer,

completed the large garden

very neat

the soldiers' gardens

The camp of the "Forty Thieves

are also complete.

is

6 a.m., 69; noon, 80".

"

a spirit of industry has seized upon

The women have made gardens

the ^yhole party.

around their huts, and agriculture appears

prevailing fashion.

am

to be the

surrounding the garden

with a live fence of euphorbia.

Julian

has been

unwell for some time past.

"The
as

appear to have gained confidence,

natives

they are bringing their cattle across the river

from the islands to our

to

the

see

man

wlio

other

manner

them

as

their guide,

while

while

swimming

by

them upon the horns with long bamboos.

"Yesterday
fell

direct

It is curious-

which the herd follows the

in

swims before them

natives

striking

it

fine pasturage.

the

river

rose

almost as suddenly,

was only the

efi"ect

of

the

about two

feet,

but

tlie

rise

showing that
heavy rain

upon the

mountain ranges throughout the country.

"

One

about

of the boys. Said, caught three

eiglit,

ten,

and twenty pounds

fish,

weighing

each.

These

ISMAILIA.

234
were

Silurus

the

of

[chap.

sj)ecies,

and

VII.

excellent

are

eating.

"The white
ground

ants

now

are

issuins:
o

vast numbers in the winged

in

and

The

lizards

the

the

state,

and

Myriads of the black and white

are taking flight.

tern

from

white
are

storks

also

work

at

them.

following

are

the

in

general

persecution.

"April
the

seeds

the

to

26,

27.

Made

new garden

sown by the troops

delio:ht

o-reat

above

are

We

of the men.

All

beds.

ground,

cleared

and

sowed about an acre with Indian corn to-day."

We

thus continued working and improving, until

we had

time produced a

in a comparatively short

About ten

great result.

were above

acres of corn

ground, as a few showers had started the seeds like

My men

magic.

were

comfortably

housed

my

neat station on the high ground, while

had a pretty
the knoll,

my

little

by

diahbeeah.

tlie

in

servants

village of their

own

situated on

about

fifty

yards from

river side,

This

vessel

was moored alongside

the bank, the fine grass of which was kept closely

cut,

so

as

to

resemble

about thirty yards

pears and ornamented

nut-tree,

this

by

lawn,

that

extended for

was bounded by prickly

a large

and showy butter-

which formed our out-door drawing-room.

CHAP.

WE LIVE UPON SPARROWS.

VII.]

was

It

235

very well to establish a government,

all

commence

and

to

Ijut

we were very hungry, and we could procure

the civilization of Central Africa,

We

from the natives.

nothins;

meat,

neither

people

sell

would

had

Sheik

the

us either sheep or

no butchers'
or

Allorr(jn

his

cattle.

For several days we lived upon sparrows, which

Monsoor shot by sprinkling corn upon the ground

and fuing into the

assembled

hundreds.

of

flock

The country was swaiTaing with these small

which
good

no doubt

ai'e

now venture

could

pasturage

rich

could
the

not

under our

Lo(|uia,

they

to

refused

the
to

on the

the

natives

which

protection,

their

sheik

bring

In spite of

enemies,
or

to

explana-

by the interpreter Tomby, he

grass

either

expected soldiers'

they

sell,

my

the

to

cattle

absolutely refused to

supply us in any manner.

tions

their

enjoy for fear of

before

light

although

drive

to

too

little

meantime,

the

In

stomach.

}ou have a

delicacies; but if

they are a

appetite

bii'ds,

huts,

or

in

or
fact

wood
to

for

the

do anything

to serve us.

Upon one
clearing
to

work

of

the

occasion,

as

my men

were sowing and

the land for planting, he employed natives

at

the

troops,

same kind of cultivation

in

order

to

claim

right

in

to

front

the

ISMAILIA.

236

On

soil.

with

occasion

tliis

by a

string

was

his

upon

cup

small gonrd-shell slung

He

his neck.

drinking

for

himself, prepared

came

lie

cup formed of

[chap. vii.

explained that this

with which

araki,

he

requested to be supplied.
"

How

long are you going to remain here

He

asked.

better go back to

I will eat the corn

you have planted

becomes

ripe."

explained that Gondokoro would be head-quarters,

and that troops would

we should
replied:

you

me

'?

"

it

protection,

re-settle I

He
1

"

land
the

if

would give them

(we were standing

protector of

replied

and that we

here

without

belonged
natives

beneath

its

the

to

wished to

you had

" It

shade).

I replied,

the whole country,

" Then

my

does this tree belong

his representative to establish his

He

to

their original property.

"Who

simply replied,

now

to'?

same time, neither

remain

the

but

force,

belongs to the Khedive of Egypt,"

is

He

corn.

land belong

at the

dare

therefore

Khedive of Egypt

this

superior

abandoned

nor his people

extent for

large

explained that his people had

out by

driven

had found
he

cultivate

and

remain there,

always

"Then who does

or to

been

to

he

You had

continued,

Khartoum, and
Avlien it

"

"

and

"who
I

am

government."
better

be

off

to

CHAP,

"

vii.]

WE

Khartoum,

DON'T

we

for

WANT ANY GOVERNMENT."

want

don't

any

23 7

government

here."

There

can be no doubt that in the

abstract

of

any annexation of the

territory

of

people's rights,

another

adhered

Had

an infringement.

is

throughout the

to

this principle been

history

there would have been no progress.

countries are prone to strife

and a

warfare with neighbouring tribes

African
I

always

expected trouble

my

had known them during

world,

Savages of

all

state of chronic

the example

of

with the Baris,

former journey as

The Austrian mission-

a tribe of intractable savages.

had abandoned them

aries

the

politics.

had

as I

is

of

as hopeless,

after

manv

and a great expenditure of money and energy.

efforts

The

had pulled

natives

house, and they had

do\\Ti

the

neat

mission

pounded and ground the bright

red bricks into the finest powder, which mixed with

grease formed a paint to smear their naked bodies.

Thus the only

the death
the

results of

many

of

of

failure

the

many

years' teaching were

noble men, the loss of

attempt

and

instead

money,
of

the

enterprise leaving a legacy of inward spiritual grace

to these

ment
for

"men and

itself

the

brethren," the missionary establish-

was converted

skin

the

into

house of

an external application

God was turned

into

ISM A ILIA.

238

"pomade

This was

diviue."

[chap. V] I.

that

result

might

have been expected by any person who had practical

experience of the Baris.

The

extent

country

of

was about ninety miles

south,

who

and seventy

length

from

in-

ceedingly fine timber

and mountains

features of the landscape were

rising

above their base.

From

country w^as
;

little

fiat,

ornamented with ex-

or 3,000 feet

numerous

these were generally dry

soil

l)ut

fertile

was poor

in the neigh

at a distance

from the

the rocks were through-

the mountains

especially those of

actual

these mountains

The

Iwurhood of Gondokoro,

out granitic

very

to about 2, .5 00

sunmier season.

river, the

forests of considerable extent,

streams drained to the Nile

in the

its

The Bari country was thickly

undulations,

of

series

by

into

by

rolling park-like grass lands

governed

was

directed

The general

habited.

each

divided

Avere

petty district was

every

a similar sheik.

to

Thus Allorron represented Gon-

sheik or headman.

dokoro, while

north

Baris, there

all

They

chiefdoms,

tribe

this

Although the people

in width.

inhabited this district were

numerous small

ore,

by

in

no cohesion among them.

lut

occupied

yielded

Belinian,

the finest iron

twelve

miles from

Gondokoro, where the natives were expert l)lacksmiths.

Cultivation was carried on to a large extent througli-

FiR. 4

Fig.
,,

,.

*'g

I. Packet of

5-

plaited rope of Uganda, in the exac shape as presented by the natives.

2.
Sandal of raw hide as made in Unyuro.
3. Skull of the Baleniceps Rex. The powerful ^rear-like beak is used for crushing the shells ot
the large helix and other molluscs of the White Nile
The iron molote, or spade, of the Bari and Madi tribes, one-third of the original si/e.
4-

5. Pipe bowl of the Bari

tribe.

BA2U CUSTOMS.

CHAP.

VII.]

out

the country

the

corn

common dhurra {Sorghum

239

generally used was

the

This was usually

vulgave).

the dark-red variety, which, being rather bitter, has

a chance of

escape from the clouds of small birds

which ruin the

out

portions of

all

upon the poor and

The

w;is

throuo-li-

Central Africa, and throve well

light soil of

Gondokoro.

were exceedingly neat in their dwell-

Baris

and

ings,

Sesame was common

crops.

their villages were innumerable.

Each hut

surrounded by a small court composed of cement

made from

the

clay of

the white-ant

mixed

liills

with cow-dung and smeared with ashes

were alwa}'s kept scrupulously clean.

The Bari hut

differs

from that of other

tribes,

as

it

these courts

contains an

inner circle, wliich can only be reached l)y creeping

oil

the hands

wliich

is

and knees

first

through the entrance,

only twenty-four inches high, jind secondly

from the passage formed by the inner

inner walls are formed of

The

circle.

and clay neatly

wattles

smeared or plastered with cement.

Tlieyare quickly

attacked by the white ants, wliich destroy the wattles,

hut the clay

when

the

is

wood

The granaries
[Hirted

sufficiently tenacious to

or reeds
ar(3

may have

foimed

upon upright pedestals

or of stone, to resist the

of
of

form a wall

disappeared.

wicker-work
either hard

white ants

the

sup-

wood

wicker-

ISMAILIA.

240

work
roof

smeared with clay and cow-dung, and

is

are a great pastoral people,

immense herds

humps

The sheep

colour.

are

and possess

These are generally small

of cattle.

active animals with

tiie

thatched in a manner similar to the house.

is

The Baris

good

[chap. vii.

white

small

is

the prevailing

mutton

and the

is

but although the fine pasturage of the Bari

country

is

eminently adapted

heavy

goats,

and require much atten-

these animals are delicate,

tion during the

and

for sheep

rains,

at

which time they

are always kept beneath a roof at night, with fires

composed of dry cow-dung to

will

drive aAvay

thus you

may

may

strong objection to

be surrounded

large

White
sell

Nile, the

their

cattle

by plenty, but you

are confined

herds

at

night within

These are formidable defences.

zareebas or kraals.

of the

starve in the midst of beef.

Their

The

smoke that

or mosquitoes.

flics

Like most of the tribes

Baris have a

create a

cattle zareeba

is

hard wood called

a circular stockade formed of

by

This

abdnoos (ebony).

the
is

wood somewhat resembling

as a man's thigh

are

Arabs abou-noos

or

an intensely hard black

ebony.

sunk in the

Piles
earth,

as thick
so

as

to

leave a fence or stockade of about eight feet high

above the surface

these piles are placed as close as

CHAP,

BARI STOCKADES.

vii.]

possible

and interlaced by tough booked

together,

which when

thorns,

241

dry and

contracted

stockade into a veiy compact defence.

to this fort

bind the

The entrance

only sufficiently large to admit one

is

animal at a time

thus

herd

the

can

be

easily

Within the stockade are several houses, in

counted.

addition to a few large circular sheds for the

tection of

young

pro-

The sheep and goats

calves.

are

kept in a separate zareeba.

All

by

the operations

by

signals given

military

movements

the

of

Baris

it

is

directed

are

are cut

split.

Some

of these

much

as

headman

or

shed, so that

travel unchecked.

the

These

exceedingly tough and will

is

The Bari drum

an egg with a

of

bugle-calls.

and scooped with great labour from

a peculiar wood, which

not easily

the

our

as

from weather, and at

protected

same time the sound could

drums

to

by

suspended beneath an open

always

conducted

drum, precisely

the

The great drum that belongs

sheik, is

are

slice

taken

is

off

exactly the shape

the thicker

end.

instruments are very large, and as

two men could carry on a

pole.

Both

ends are hollowed through and secured with hide

Ijut
is

the broad end forms

the actual

drum.

beaten with two short sticks of hard wood.

This
In

the early morning, shortly before sunrise, the hollow

VOL.

I.

ISMAILIA.

242

sound of the big drum

by a

signal

commence, and when the

drum

Should

ing.

series

The

signal

an

enemy

drum

sheik's big

In a

remembered.
will be

re-echoed

numerous

villages,

is

completed,

repeated in the even-

is

the country, the

attack

alarm by

the

gives

which

of beats,

operation

and the large herds are driven

beats again,

to pasturage.

of beats for the milk-

The women and young men then

ing of the cows.

the

VII.

always heard giving the

is

number

certain

[cHA?.

once heard

if

few

seconds

peculiar

can easily be

this

loud alarm

by every drum throughout the

and the news of the attack

will

thus spread by signal as fast as sound can travel.

certain beat of the

for

enemy

drum

sheik's big

general assembly,

in

which

appear, the whole forces of

case,

the

is

the call

should an
district

can

be concentrated in one point.

The weapons of the

lances,

Baris

are

finely-wrought

and bows with horribly barbed arrows.

seldom carry

shields, as

they are

difficult to

They

manage

together with the bow, and they impede the rapid

movements which
The men

are

are the chief feature in Bari tactics.

generally tall

naked and smeared with

and powerful, always

ashes, or

with red ochre and grease.

on great occasions

The women

are not ab-

solutely bad-looking, but real beauties are extremely

CHAP,

WARLIKE CHARACTER OF

vii.]

They wear an apron

rare.

BARIS.

243

and behind of

before

tanned leather, extending nearly to the knees, which

is

only the outer garment, beneath which they wear

a neatly-made fringe of innumerable strings, formed

of

finely-spun

leather

cotton

Some

belt.

composed of iron

thread,

suspended

from

wealthy possess fringe

of the

rings, neatly

worked, so as to form

a kind of shirt of mail.

Every man

warrior

is

from his childhood, as

the Baris are always at war.

clever in the use of the lance,

They

are extremely

which they can throw

with great accuracy for a distance of thirty yards,

and they can pitch

it

into a

From

of fifty yards.

in constant practice,

Ijow

and arrow

inferior

gerous

who,

to
in

like

fire-arms

my

troops,

upwards

both with the lance and the

although their weapons

properly

hands

the

at

early childhood the boys are

thus,

body of men

of

are

they are dan-

used,

proficients

against

men

were utterly ignorant of the

art of shooting.

Fortunately for

my

expedition, the warlike Baris

were not united throughout their

territory.

theless, I discovered that the Baris of

made an

Never-

Gondokoro had

alliance with those of Belinian, twelve miles

from head-quarters.

observed that

women were

constantly passing to and fro with baskets on their

R 2

ISMAILIA.

244

[chap. VII.

heads, carrying salt from Gondokoro,

ing with a goat, led by a string.

and each returnExcellent salt

found at G-ondokoro, real chloride of sodium

interior,

great value.

where

salt is

this

extremely rare and of

had remarked that women, and some-

times men, were met in

my

rambles through the

on their way to Belinian by this concealed

forest,

route, instead of taking the

my

and

of that district to trade

article enables the natives

with the

is

suspicion, as the

declared

chief,

they were

that

open path

this aroused

and

Allorron,

enemies of

his people

the Belinian

natives.

The

position

had become

The

intolerable.

fact

could no longer be concealed that the Baris were

hostile.

No

the natives

positive

were

generally avoided

outbreak had

sullen

the

meat was exceedingly

in

new
scarce,

their

occurred,

but

demeanour,

and

as

we had only a few

cows that had been given during the

the vakeel of the Bohr station.

without rations of meat.

Butchers'

settlement.

voyage by

The troops were

At the same time

there

were thousands of cattle on the islands before their

eyes,

not one of which could be purchased from the

natives.

Although the natives refused to

any way, or to supply us with

cattle at

assist

any

us

price.

CHAP.

THE TROOPS DISGUSTED.

VII.]

245

they drove their herds across from the island to the

mainland to fatten on the

government protection.

fine pasturage

under the

This pasturage, having been

abandoned by them and occupied by the government

troops,

had naturally become the property of the

The natives had no more

Khedive.

right to the soil

from which they had been cbiven, than the French

would have

to

Alsace and Lorraine,

provinces be occupied

by a

should those

Power which had

foreign

driven out the Germans.

The

last

vessels

having arrived, terminated the

voyage from Tewfikeeyah, which had occupied

months and twenty-two

suff'ered

much by

The

days.

fatigue

in

who had

troops,

cutting

tlirough

marshes, had not been absolutely relieved

by

five

the

their ar-

The north wind changed

rival in the clear AVhite Nile.

suddenly to the south, in which unfavourable quarter

it

continued steadily for a month

tunate
against

men had

to

tow the

wind and stream

which

had

my

vessels along the

Upon

described

unfor-

banks

300 miles from

for about

Wat-el-Shambi to Gondokoro.
station,

thus

arrival at that

to

them

as

the

"Promised Land," they found a lovely park, but

without a single dwelling.
as deliverers

Instead of being received

by a friendly and

they met with neglect and

grateful population,

ill-will

from a tribe of

ISMAILIA.

246

robbers, allies of the traders,

spoil of

After

[chap. VII.

wbo

fattened upon tbe

weaker neighbours.
all their

hard work and suffering in attaining

the promised paradise,

they found only additional

labour awaiting them, as they had to wander several

miles in search of long thatch-grass and timber to

new

the

construct

station,

in

which fatigue they

were entirely unassisted by the sullen inhabitants.

Added

these

to

disappointments, the

men were

hungry, and no cattle could be purchased from

new
I

who were

subjects,

had a

my

obstinate and refractory.

serious conversation with Sheik AUorron,

during which I clearly defined our relative positions,

and represented to him in the strongest terms the

folly of trusting to the support of

Abou Saood and

his people against the government, as they

subjects of the

At

the

Khedive and bound

same time

to

obey

were

my

promised to pay
I

clearly

saw that the miserable policy of these

necessity of

Khartoum.

supposed

evacuating the position, and returning

I

of trifling with a
as a

which

for.

people was to starve the troops into the

to

orders.

informed him of the absolute

necessity of cattle for the supply of the troops,

I

all

represented to Allorron the danger

hungry

lion, at

which he grinned,

good joke, and immediately replied

"If you

CHAP.

VII.]

want

PREPARE FOR OFFICIAL ANNEXATION.

cattle, I

guides,

will give

you some

my

of

24

people as

and you can go and attack a neighbour of

mine, and capture

for a long time."

his

herds,

rej)lied,

which

will

you

that I could not injure

any one who had not committed an

offence,

as he for the last time refused assistance,

my

not permit his herds to graze upon

therefore I begged

last

but

should

pasturage

they might be confined to the

island.

At
and

the

all

same time

the

headmen

officially

invited

of the country,

including the

sheik of Belinian, to an entertainment.

formally

Egypt.

and

officiidly,

to

annex

Allorron

the

I intended,

country

to

CHAPTER

VIII.

OFFICIAL ANNEXATION.

On May

26,

1871,

about eighty feet

all

higli

was

in order.

had been neatly erected by

Baker on the highest point of land overlooking

Lieut.

Every small bush had been cleared away,

the river.

the position in the centre of an

and

like country

course.

wash

flag-staff

open

park-

would have formed an admirable

The

having had two days'

troops,

their clothes

race-

rest

to

and burnish up their arms and

accoutrements, marched from the station at Gondo-

koro at 6 a.m.
I

had 1,200 men on the ground, including ten

mountain

rifled

guns throwing 8j

lb.

shell.

In their clean white uniforms, with the neat koofeeia

or

sun-cloth,

gracefully

which,

upon the

covering

the

head,

drooped

shoulders,

the

troops

showed

to great advantage, as they

marched with the band

CHAP.

HOIST THE OTTOMAN FLAG.

VIII.]

playing from head-quarters to

my

As they

station.

and then formed

the

through the green

filed

trees,

into sections of companies as they

and the

headmen

the

friends,

above

flag-staff

emerged into the open ground, the

ceedingly good,

249

sheik,

of

was ex-

effect

and

Allorron,

many

his

looked

villages,

with amazement upon a scene that was altogether

new

them.

to

Having arrived opposite

formed in
of the

line

the flag-staff, the troops

two deep on the

my

above

heights

grassy surface

flat

The long row

station.

of glittering bayonets and the gay uniforms of the

officers

bewildered the
servants,

sailors,

and

in their best clothes.

and

red,

astonished natives.

camp-followers were dressed

The prevailing

my

Abd-el-Kader,

other

and

officers,

time the horses were

Mr.

My

was com-

staff

all

together

with

Higginbotham.

three

At

tliat

in excellent condition.

Having ridden along the

flag,

white

aides-de-camp, Lieutenant Baker R.N.,

Lieut. -Colonel

the

colours,

looked exceedingly gay upon the close and

even surface of the green turf

posed of

All the

line

and halted beneath

the troops formed three sides of a square

with the flag-staff in the centre.

facing the river,

with ten guns.

The fourth

was then occupied by the

side

artillery,

ISMAIL!A.

250

[chap. VIII.

The formality of reading the

official

proclamation,

Egypt

describing the annexation of the country to

name

in the

of the Khedive, then took place at the

At the termination

foot of the Hag-staflF.

sentence,

of the last

the Ottoman flag was quickly run up

by

the halyards and fluttered in the strong breeze at

with drawn

swords

saluted the flag, the troops presented arms,

and the

the

The

mast-head.

officers

batteries of artillery fired a royal salute.

This

ceremony

marched past
a

being

after which,

completed,

the

troops

they formed in order for

supposed attack upon an imaginary enemy, and

fired

away

about

ten

cartridge in the advance

led to the temporary

entertainment.

and
fires

thousand

down

rounds

blank

of

the long slope which

camp and

tents erected for the

Here the bugle sounded "disperse,"

men immediately

work

to light

and prepare the food that had been

already

all

the

supplied for their

dinners.

set to

believe

this

was the

only day of real enjoyment that the troops had

The hours passed

I

in rest

and

liad.

sleep until sunset.

had invited fourteen of the

officers to

dine with

me, and our party of eighteen was easily accommodated on the roomy poop-deck of

The

Englishmen

the garden,

had a

my

table

diahbeeah.

to

themselves in

and were regaled with roast beef and

CHAP.

VIII.]

THE PLUM-PUDDING ANNEXED.

real English

plum-pudding,

251

having been brought

that,

out in tins for Christmas Day, could not be found

during the voyage

therefore

added to the

it

feast of

the ''day of annexation," and was annexed accordingly

and

by English

wholesome

rendered

filtered

appetites.

This was washed

by

down
pure

quantity of

water from the river Nile, which was included

in the annexation

and was represented

in the Nile

Basin mixed with Jamaica rum, sugar, nutmeg, and

lemon-juice from the fruit of the trees planted by
the good Austrian missionaries at Gondokoro.

Little

did they think, poor fellows, of the jollification to

which their lemons would subscribe when they

sowed the good

When

first

seeds.

dinner was over,

we

repaired to the large

divan tents, where refreshments were arranged, and

the magic lantern was prej)ared for the
of officers and men.

amusement

This was an admirable machine,

No

and was well exhibited by Lieutenant Baker.

one had ever seen such an exhibition before, therefore

it

caused immense satisfaction.

sentations that

of the repre-

was most applauded, was, Moses going

through the Red Sea with the

Pharaoh.

One

Israelites,

The story being well known

followed

to all

by

Moham-

medans, the performance was encored with such energy

that Moses had to go through the

Red Sea

twice.


252

ISMAIL'IA.

and they would have

had the

third time,

insisted

slide

[chap.

upon

his

vm.

crossing a

not been rapidly exchanged

for another subject.

The formal ceremony of annexation was

it

was necessary
I
1.

to decide

upon the

over,

future.

had issued the following Camp Regulations

"No

and

person shall cut or in other ways destroy

any tamarind or

oil

tree

under any pretext whatever.

Neither shall any tree whatsoever be either cut or

distance of 2,000 paces from the

damaged within a
camp.

flag-staff or
2.

the

"

No

person shall stray beyond 2,000 paces of

flag- staff

or

camp without permission

either

from the Pacha or Raouf Bey.

3.

"No

person shall trade in ivory, neither shall

any person accept ivory as a present or

neither shall

elephants
of

all

any person

in exchange

shoot, or cause to be

shot,

ivory being the property and monopoly

the government

of

His Highness the Khedive

of Egypt.
4.

"

No

person

shall

either

purchase or receive

slaves as presents or in exchange.

"Any

person

transgressing

by

disobedience

of

the above laws will be punished as the will of Baker

Pacha may

direct.

"S.

W. Baker."

CHAP.

THE THIEF CAPTURED.

VIII.]

My men

253

were hard at work erecting magazines

and building the

and had

station,

not issued the

above regulations, they would have cut down every

ornamental

in

tree

the

mission-house had

the

remained

the foundations

disappeared,

dug them

Although

neighbourhood.

and procured

up,

sufficient

sound bricks to build a powder-magazine, which

covered with a galvanized

my

and protected

iron roof

ammunition.

These

Several of the Eg}'p)tian soldiers deserted.

people,

who were

for the

most part

convicts, although

professing Islamism, preferred to live with the natives,

to the steady discipline of military

One

evening, the sentry, on guard before the house

Lieutenant Baker and

of

life.

Mr.

Higginbotham,

was

observed by Mr. Baker's soldier servant (a black) to

lay his

on the ground and to enter

rifle

doorway of
lost

no

his hut.

time

in

stealthily the

Abdullah Maseri, the servant,

running towards

which

hut

the

he quietly entered in the dusk, without being perceived by the thief within,

who

absence of

in the

Mr. Baker was pillaging his boxes.

Abdullah quietly crept up behind

him

by the

until

he

cape

from

back

obtained

of

the

assistance.

conviction,

him,

and

neck,

There

therefore

pinned

held

was

no

sentenced

him
es-

the

ISMAILiA.

254

and to

100 lashes

receive

to

tliief

[chap. VIII.

be

confined

in irons.

While

was

he

punishment he

undergoing the

yelled for mercy, saying, " I will confess

fess

was

It

all.

Tewfikeeyah.
the pistol

It

will confess

entered the Pacha's room at

was

at

me

the

that

Pacha

in irons, but don't flog

Egyptian

an

" Forty Thieves," and he

He was

delinquency.

under a guard.

now

the

confessed his former

secured in irons and placed

The fellow had been a

and make

his irons

me

belonging to

professional

and during the night he managed to

thief,

fired

all."

man was

This

I will con-

who

Put me

his escape,

slip

ofi"

no doubt with the

connivance of the sentry.

The

fact of the natives receiving the deserters

enough

suggest the

to

tampering

with the

continued in

spite

Although

troops.

would neither work nor

of

assist

my

he

by the

in

they were
the

any manner, they

on the mainland occu-

troops.

again gave the sheik AUorron notice,

continued

pasture,

On

Baris

warning, to swim their

cattle across to the pasturage

pied

that

suspicion

was

to drive his

to

cattle

that

if

the forbidden

they would be confiscated.

the following morning they

returned to the

CHAP.

FIEST ACT OF TRESPASS.

VIII.]

the slightest notice having

mainland as usual, not

been taken of

my

repeated and

official

warning.

About ten men

gave orders to secure them.

255

of the " Forty Thieves " quietly explained the order

to the natives

who guarded

the cattle, and ^dthout

my

any remonstrance they drove them to

station,

and stood guard around the herd.

The

natives

ported

the

returned

aflfair

to

the

island,

and

re-

Allorron

and

his

the

to

sheik

people.

Early on the following morning, the sheik, accom-

panied by fifteen headmen of villages and a number

of

natives,

together

with

Tomby

attended and formed a deputation.

beneath the shady tree near

my

the
I

interpreter,

received

diahbeeah.

looked very sheepish, and asked me,

"

Why

them

They
had

confiscated their cattle?"

I

explained the reason

and they

at length acknow^-

ledged that they had no positive right of pasturage,

as they

had been driven from

Loquia, and were

it

not for

their country

my

by the

presence they could

not venture to drive their cattle to the mainland.

At the same time they

explained, that the extreme

dryness of the season had exhausted the grass upon

the island after the close grazing of the large liords

thus

they

liad

imagined

should

not

have

any

ISMAILIA.

256
to

objection

real

which,

banks,

upon

pasturing

their

as I

[chap. vni.

had no

the

east

would otherwise

cattle,

be neglected.

they had

obeyed,

and

order,

should take charge of

that,

as

must

government

the

that

explained

disobeyed

their

be

every
(about

cattle

200) until they showed a disposition to accept the

Khedive's authority.

At

would bring thatch

grass

forming the station

(a

the same time,

and

if

the natives

the troops in

assist

work which they had always

performed annually for Abou Saood's people),

return

them

whom

rose in

among

the headmen,

and

succession,

addressed

They

the meeting with great energy and fluency.

declared that

there

had been a general misunder-

standing, but that they

their position.

selves

now began

to

comprehend

informed them that they must them-

appoint a responsible sheik

many had

would

their cattle.

long conversation ensued

several of

refused to obey AUorron.

or headman,
I

as

should regard

one chief as their representative, and they as head-

men must

him

at the

present

should also place the

power

in

chief,

elect

the hands of the

whose orders must be obeyed by the headmen

of the villages.

me

assembly.

for the

This chief would be responsible to

acts of those beneath him,

and

shoukl

CHAP.

GENERAL ELECTION.

VIII.]

punish

those

all

who

257

acknowledge his

refused to

authorit}'.

The

most

ended

meeting

The

satisfactorily.

natives explained, that, although Allorron had been

the ostensible sheik for a great length of time, the

true

by actual descent was

sheik

Morbe

named

a chief

but as his cattle had been carried

off

by

the Loquia, he had lost his property, and also his influence

among

the possession of

necessary to a

Morbe

was

responsible

to

In those sayage countries

the people.

property

man

is

considered absolutely

in a high position.

elected

unanimously as

the goyernment.

headmen

All

they w^ould obey his orders

clared

sheik

the

de-

eyen Allorron

appeared pleased that he had shifted his responsibility

The headmen

upon the shoulders of another.

all

pro-

mised that they would beat their drums and summon

their people

on

their return to their yillages,

on the morrow they would

collect

any purpose we might

grass for

and that

bamboos and thatch-

require.

The meeting

ended by their agreeing to deliyer a certain number

of

bundles

in

a giyen period

to supply the troops

Morbe,

name

the

of

confidence
VOL.

T.

new

they also promised

with oxen at a stipulated

sheik, then

addressed

the assembly, and begged

and goodwill

me

me

price.

in the

to establish

by returning them
s

their

ISMAIL!A.

258

had expected

cattle.

replied,

that

[ind

promised obedience,

would

trust

cows that

country

at the

that
I

would

them with the

jjreedinof
;

sincerity

test their

own

their

cattle,

my

care of

but

thi^ee

had brouQ-ht from the

same time

gave them

they broke the agreement

if

therefore

my summons

attended

them not onlv

])y returnino-

request.

this

they had

as

[chap. vin.

now

fair

large

Bohr

warning,

entered upon,

should not be in a hurry to return their cattle

on a future

They seemed

occasion.

and the meeting broke

.satisfied,

They drove
cows, while

off the

my

ment, and regarded

up.

herd, together with

soldiers looked

me

as

be quite

to

my

three

on with utter amaze-

though

had

lost

my

senses.

Althouo^h I had entered into this aOTeement, the

natives
theii'

had not the

promises.

slightest idea of

carrying

out

few bundles of bamboos were

brought, also some thatch-grass, but not an ox was

given to the troops.

refused to appear

The sheik

of

Belinian

had

and he alleged as an excuse that

he feared treachery, since his father and family had

been murdered when guests of Abou Saood.

Baris

of

Gondokoro had regained

their cattle,

The
and

they did not trouble themselves about their contract,

as

they inwardly hoped that by starving us they

cnAP.

NATIVE FROFOSALS.

viii.]

might succeed
necessitate the

iu disgusting the troops,

which would

abandonment of the expedition.

few days after the breach of contract, Tomby,

me

the interpreter, appeared, and tokl

not succeed in

my

enemy, Loquia.

their

old

cattle

and sheep

The

country.

that

them with

join

to

that the Baris

and that the government would

liad refused to work,

me

259

and

troops,

to

then

should

in the razzia,

people wished
attack
obtain

and the government

would be indej)endent.
This was

had

svstem which

neoro

reoular

the

originally introduced the slave trade tlu'oughout the

White

One

Nile.

the

of

prisoners

When

trading adventui'ers

White

Nile, the natives

copper bracelets

to

become

upon the various

sold

and

allies,

tlic

and

fairly established.

cattle

attacks

The

tribes.

it

was

system of

were

made

and

slaves

cattle

The traders

captors.
far

and slaves

ivory, than to import goods

-commenced

ivory for beads

of the traders were immediately

quickly discovered that

steal

slaves.

commenced on the

first

became the property of the

profitable to

war become

and trade was

The armed companies

invited

some powerful

a superior force to attack

liance of

neighbom-

invariably requests the al-

tribe

and more

easier

to

exchange for

from Khartoum.
cattle-lifting

They

and slaves

ISMAILIA.

260

[chap.

VIII.

liunting, whicli rapidly increased until it arrived at

the immense scale already described.

preached morality in vain to the Baris

were mere

Abou

of

ruffians,

Saood,

and they longed

give

to

enslave the tribes of the interior.

was

them of the

assured

ceedings,

them an

plunder and

opportunity of joining his peoj^le

It

the arrival

for

who would once more

in vain that

such pro-

impossibility of

and that Abou Saood's people would not

permitted by the government to continue

be

they

They

atrocities.

ridiculed

the

idea,

such

and declared

that the traders would always continue in

theii'

old

customs, notwithstanding the presence of the Khedive's

They

officers.

said that

in

any other way

me

to " take

would
It

to

was utter

these people
savages.

in those

women and

listen

no business could be done

my

cattle,

advice,

folly

to

countries

they advised

and then the natives

l^ut

not otherwise."

attempt negotiations with

they were the most brutal and obtuse

They had been abandoned by the mis-

sionaries as

hopeless,

nothing but

force.

and they would acknowledge

The troops were discontented. After

the promised land was starvation.

much work

all their fatigues,

There was

to be done, as the expedition

only commencing.

By

degrees

was in

still

fact

the Baris absented

CHAP.

WE ARE COMPLETELY ABANDONED.

viii.J

themselves
left

from our camp,

entirely

and

The

to ourselves as utter strangers.

261
were

^Ye

cattle

were

driven over to our fine pasturage daily, and returned

at night to their island

was ever

goat,

offered

cation between

but not an ox, or even a

for

and

sale,

us and the natives

all

communi-

had apparently

ceased.

was quite

It
I

imj)ossible to allow this to continue.

gave the order, and once more the soldiers quietly

surrounded the herd of

head-quarters

as

Allorron and

The

before.

new

The

enacted.

and drove them

cattle,

Morb^,

sheik,

many headmen,

re-

with

together

Again a long

arrived.

palaver took place, through the

was

scene

old

to

medium

Tomby,

of

the interpreter, and the promises of goocl behaviour

were renewed.
I

informed

them

that

should not

their cattle, but I should keep

their

good behaviour

select

troops,

certain

at

number

which should

bo.

the

them

did not return

On June

as hostages for

same time,

of

oxen

paid

for.

The meeting terminated with

goodwill

confiscate

as

food

should
for

the

fresh assurances of

few days elapsed, but the Baris

we were completely abandoned.

29th the camp was disturbed at night

by an attempt

of the natives to drive off

some of


ISM A] Li'A.

262
the

The sentry

cattle.

fircd,

[cnAP.

but without

vm.

effect.

foresaw trouble.

On June

1st

General

Order to the

the Bari having

disobeyed the

issued

troops
'

" The natives of

summons

the

of

government,

and having refused

compliance with the regulations established,

become necessary

has

it

compel them to obedience by

to

force.

"In
the

Any

event

the

of

capture

of

women,

officer

or

soldier

or

of

children

disobeying

forbid

specially

hostilities,

this

either

sex.

order

will

suffer death.

" S.

certain that a breach

I felt

hand, and
troops
in

whom

two miles from the

of

sawyers with
in

station,

as

the

from

attacked

by

camp

settled

return

by the

station,

sailors,

all

of

were obliged to cany the material from a

distance

of

assisted

at

The

accordingly.

were daily engaged in building the

which they were

was

of the peace

made arrangements

W. Baker."

small

about

distance

their

the

escort

three

forest.

of

party

soldiers

miles

was too great

work.

One

night

natives,

who

shot

from

were

my

for a

daily

they

were

arrows

and

CHAP.

NATIVES ATTACK WORKING PABTY.

VIII.]

yelled

succeed
well

protected

The

amount

of

escape

an hour, but fortunately did not

wounding any of

in

trees.

to

about

for

263

men,

wlio

were

by the trunks of some very

largo

soldiers

had

tlie

away a

fired

ammunition

in return, until

during the

darkness,

considerable

they managed

and ran away

to

head-quarters.

On

3rd June, at about

were

grazing

in

the

when

p.m.,

the cattle

park-like

beautiful

ground

about a mile from head-quarters, some Baris,

had

stealthily

who

approached the herd by stalking from

bush to bush, without being observed by the sleepy

made

guards,

the cattle,

and succeeded

with which they

swam

in

the

being fired by the unready

On

the niixht of the

4tli

pitch darkness,

enterinof

that

the high

the

body

grass

intention

near

of

the

cows,

off ten

without a

river

shot

soldiers.

June two natives were

had succeeded

until they

the cattle zareeba.

large

driving

These people had crept

captured by the sentries.

in the

among

a sudden rush, with loud yells,

One

natives

of

them confessed

was

assembled in

banks of the

of attacking

the

in

zareeba

river,

with

during the

night.
I

them

immediately
in

took

eighteen men,

and

posted

three parties of six at various points about

ISMAILIA.

264
a

mile from

quarter of a

to

concealed

lie

manded every approach

At 10.30

which

com-

camp.

was aroused by the sound of

fired

whom

some of

natives,

They were

station.

positions,

to the

the

spot I found that

into the

advanced party of

arrival

had

sentries

but

and upon

firing,

the

P.M.

my

these

in

[chap. VIII.

at

they declared to he wounded,

could find no trace of blood.

Open war

had

commenced.

The natives

had

deserted their villages on the portion of the island

opposite to

my

This island was about seven

camp.

miles in length, therefore, in return for the attacks

made upon my people on our mainland,

to

pay the Baris a

I

visit

on the

five

down

boats

with

sixty

determined

island.

issued the necessary orders.

5th,

At

3 a.m., on June

men dropped

silently

the east channel of the river, with orders

land at the

extreme end of the

to

At the

island.

same time two companies of troops landed on the

island

opposite

my

the dark until the

station,

where they waited in

steamer,

with myself and two

companies on board, had rounded the head of the

island,

channel.

and had

obtained a position

in

the

The troops then advanced along the

while the steamer ran easily

down

west

island,

the strong current.

Everything went well, but the noise of the paddles

CHAP.

MILITARY DEMONSTRATION.

VIII.]

quickly gave the

drum

and the sound of a

alarm,

was

distance

the

in

responded to by

many

almost

might be passing

arrangement was well carried out

we were running

as

at

any native
that

cattle

west mainland.

the

to

along the

off

any herds of

intercepting

or

immediately

speed

half

at

with the intention of cutting

canoes,

bio*

others from various points.

The steamer now ran

river,

265

Every

but, unfortunately,

about nine miles an hour,

the steamer suddenly struck upon a sand-bank, where

she remained fixed.

After some vain attempts to float her,

Raouf Bey
ing
I

to

left

to do his best with her,

circumstances, at

his

own

steamer in the dingy,

the

and

instructed

act, accord-

accompanied by

Lieutenant Baker and six soldiers of the

Thieves,"

with the intention

companies under

of

while

discretion,

joining

" Forty
the

two

Lieutenant-Colonel Abd-el-Kader,

who were marching down

the island from

south to

north.

We

rowed down the stream

for forty -five

along the west bank of the island.

the

by

distance

delay on
troops

the

under

cluded that

time,

had calculated

and having allowed

steamer and

Abd-el-Kader

the

wc should now

pace

at

for the

which the

would march,
land

minutes

con-

somewhere near

ISMAILi'A.

2G6
tliem.

Tliis

turned

out

[chap, viii:

as

correct,

we had

party a few minutes after

joined his

Ave

the boat.

left

men

immediately detached a sergeant and nineteen

march

to

my

meet

along the
boat,

bank

east

it

when

it

the tail of the island,

by the

they should

until

which had been ordered

along the west bank until

east channel, that

should

was

to continue

turn round

homo

to return

would lead

direct

to

my

station.

AVe had not seen any Baris upon the island, which
appeared to be
the

cjuite

ground had changed.

We

had

left

dry

the

sown with

which had been lately

portion,

The character of

deserted.

dhurra,

and we had arrived amono^ scattered masses of

reeds growing from

and
I

full

mud

lately

tall

hardened by the sun,

of deep cattle-ruts.

threw out skirmishers, as we shortly entered

bad piece of country.

At

this

moment we heard

shots fired at the tail of the island, about two miles

in our front.

We

pushed on

at the

double, until stopped

by a

deep channel of the river about thirty yards wide.

On

the other side

we now heard

natives and the lowing of cattle.

to skirt
forest

the banks

of

the

the horn? of the

It

was necessary

channel through

thus, following the stream,

we

thick

shortly arrived

CHAP.

THE

llETUliN OF

VIII.]

main

in time to

river, just

at

the

at

a distance of a

quarter

267

TROOPS.

the native^^

see

mile swimming a

of a

across the stream

to the east

hiro-e

herd of

shore,

where they landed and safely gained the

cattle

They were quickly pursued by the

landed at the

of

tail

the

and being supplied with

who having

troops

were in

island,

forest.

chase

they crossed over

boats,

the river and followed hard upon the track of

retreating

tin*

cattle.

The Baris did not suspect that they would be

followed to
the

they

forest

My black

main

the

continued

of the

idea

The

them.

We

their

until the

pursuit
affair

had

leisurely.

and the

eaten

appeared.

June

missing

the
6,

her crew

thus,

when

Baris,

who had no

soldiers

were among

return to

nothing

camp
the

since

We

had been on our

liours,

thus

dinner on the return to camp.

about

ended by the capture of a por-

sun for fourteen

the

retreat

at

5.30

^^I'^vious

the boat containing our l)reakfast had

evening, as
5'et

reaching

track of the herd, they went along

tion of the herd,

P.M.

ujion

thus

hounds and overtook the

like

for

troops were wonderful runners

once upon the

not

sliore

at
all

boat.

4.40 p.m.,
safe.

tlie

legs

in

we were ready
I

was anxious

On

the

lost

dingy arrived with

following

Tliey had missed their

day,

way by

ISMAILIA.

268
a

takino;

them

channel

wroiio;

a labyiinth

into

were obliged

pass

to

[chap. VIII.

the

of

which led

river,

high reeds, where they

of

the

among

night

clouds

of

mosquitoes.

On

the following morning they began the tedious

journey by rowing homeward

They came suddenly upon a

the

stream.

body of

natives,

against

large

attacked them with

who immediately
of which

went through the trousers of a

My men

told

told

made themselves

my

servants and the

very

but

different

thrown

had

they

soldier.

long story, and

out to be perfect heroes

boatmen

one

arrows,

tale,

themselves

and declared

down

in

the

bottom of the boat to avoid the arrows, and

my
my

that

servant,

Mohammed

Haroon, had himself

heavy gun loaded with mould

On

7tli

June

discovered

fired

shot at the

that

the

enemy.
Baris

of

Gondokoro had leagued themselves with the natives

of Belinian against us.

They had attacked

On

this

crept

conjointly on several occasions.

day the natives

stealthily

in force

from bush

perceived by the soldiers,

to

having, as usual,

tree

without being

made a sudden rush

uj)on

the cattle guards, and shot one soldier with an arrow

and wounded another with a

gave

orders

for

an

lance.

attack

on

immediately

Belinian

that

CHAP,

ATTACK ON BELINIAN.

viii.]

At 12.30

night.

my

a.m. I left

269
on horseback,

station

accompanied by Lieutenant Baker and Mr. Higginbothara,

with Lieutenant-Colonel Abd-el-

together

Kader and twenty men of the " Forty Thieves." Not a

word was spoken,
the

who

as it

slio;htest noise

We

march without

prowling about throughout the

arrived at head -quarters, a mile and a

half distant, where

had been ordered

we

to

that mio;ht alarm the native scouts,

w^ere generally

night.

was important

companies

four
to

be

in

one gun

At

readiness.

started with a Bari guide

had volunteered

with

named Sheroom, who

to serve me, together with his friend

Morgian, at the commencement of the war.

men

a.m.

These

spoke Arabic, and since the flight of Tomby, the

interpreter

(who had joined our enemies), these two

Baris were

The route

our invaluable

allies.

two miles

to Belinian lay for the first

through open park-like country.

the forest, where the

darkness

We

made

then entered
it

difficult

to

drag the gim, the wheels of w^hich constantly stuck

in the

had

stumps and roots of

trees.

to halt, for the rear to

manageable gun, and

come

Several times
uj^

we

with this un-

feared the delay might destroy

our chance of taking the enemy by surprise.

To make matters

worse, the route

became swampy.

Sometimes the horses sank nearly hock-deep

in

mud,

270
^Yllicll

ISMAILIA.

In such places
to

darkness they could not avoid.

the pitch

in

[chap. VIII.

and the delays

drag the gun,

became

Agha commanded

Lieutenant-Colonel Tayib

serious.

the thi'ee

companies of Soudani troops who escorted the

piece,

in

and took

field-

in turns to assist the artillerymen

it

weary work of dragging the gun through

the

swamps and

Lush.

The nioht wore on

in

men

required the force of thirty

it

it

Leoan to

rain.

was riding

advance with Lieutenant Baker, Mr. Higginbotham,

and twenty

me

followed

"Forty Thieves," while Eaouf Bey

of the

with

Egyptian troops.

fifty

absolutely necessary to push on.

native

guide, therefore

care of themselves.

It

was

Tayib Agha had a

he and his gun could take

Accordingly

pushed on ahead

as an advanced guard, delighted to be quit of the

impediment of

artillery.

In about an hour we arrived at firm ground, and

the country became more open and undulating.

The

began to break and the rain ceased.

We

clouds

pushed briskly forward

until, after

marching

at the

pace of four miles per hour, the guide, Sherroom, sud-

We

denly halted.

a few large
Sherroom,
country,

trees

who

were now^ in a clear space where

grew

in

evidently

now whispered

clump upon our

knew every

that

inch

we must wait

right.

of

the

here in

CHAP.

TEE NIGHT MARCH.

VIII.]

were villages not far

there

as

silence,

we were

stockade that

neighbom-hood.

diate

althouo^h

271

to attack

we had marched

imme-

in the

nearly

w^as

It

was

and the

off,

A.M.,

and

we were

since one o'clock,

not more than nine miles from Gondokoro.

trusted

that our halt would allow the rear to join us with

the

gun which had caused

We

so

much

delay.

waited for aljout half an hour in perfect sdence.

There was not a star upon the sky, which was dark

and murky
length

we

thus

night began to

black

the

and we could

could distinguish nothino^.

just

At

grow more grey,

make out some dark

masses, that

appeared to be villages, upon the right and

left.

We

now marched

rapidly, but without the slightest noise.

The morning

gi-ew greyer,

now

AVe could

and birds began

distinguish trees

to whistle.

and the

tall

crops

of dhurra.

There was no sign of Tayib Agha and his detachment, but

We

it

were

cultivated

the

Bari

thus

native

signal

watchman,

whom we must
the

at others

fields,

alarm.

to

push forward.

hurrying on, sometimes

we suddenly heard

mIicu
is

was absolutely necessary

who,

through

tlu-ough strips of forest,

the

long,

of danger.

more

shrill

cry

that

This was from a

awake than those by

have passed unobserved, now gave

This

cry was

immediately repeated in

ISMAILIA.

272
various

[chap.

There was no time to be

directions.

Sherroom bounded forward

VIII.

lost.

an antelope, at a

like

pace that kept our horses at a hand gallop.

In a

couple of minutes w^e saw a large circular stockade

in a clear space, but within fifty yards of

on our

We

left.

galloped

who

the "Forty Thieves,"

surrounded

diately

Egyptian troops were

light
flight

from

stockade,

imme-

which the

close up,

and

The

to see

in the uncertain

arrows in their

the

thus one soldier was immediately

another received

to shoot their arrows.

was impossible

it

followed closely by

ujd,

ran like hounds.

the

commenced

natives had

the forest

a shot through

his

wounded

An

trousers.

arrow stuck in Mr. Higginbotham's saddle, and they

began to
Thieves "

drawn

stockade.

was a

now opened

up

in
It

circle

fire,

a line

while the Egyptians were

about

defence

thus as the troops fired into a

common

hard

suflicient light to

doorway of the stockade.

" cease firing,"

wood came

The sky had become

ears.

and there was now

as

through the intervening

between the uprights of

entrance.

the

the

pinging about our

sound

yards from

fifty

was rather awkward,

centre, the bullets that passed

spaces

The " Forty

very viciously.

about

fly

and

grey,

discover

the

ordered the bugles to

prepared

to

force

the

This was a narrow archway about four

^8

S 3

t S

"a

h
V^W'V^n V^^
'

, V

to

--l

r-m

<

>

'

-t

'

>

^m

S J2

o "if
3--'i:

c B-r

^^

u
'J>

" c 5 o
rt 2 <=

ci
C

I Ji

O u Y o

111!

CHAP.

VIII.]

ATTACK ON THE STOCKADE.

feet six inches high,

hard wood that

it

constructed

krge pieces of

of

was impossible

273

The

to destroy.

doorway was stopped by transverse bars of abdnoos,

and protected by a mass of hooked

or Bari ebony,

thorn that had l)een dragged into the passage and

jammed beneath
I

the

the cross-bars.

ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Abd-el-Kader to force

This

gateway.

he

immediately

by Lieutenant Baker and

assisted

commenced,

Higginbotham,

]Mr.

together with a party of the " Forty Thieves," while

others of the

same corps closed up

to the stockade

on either side the entrance, and kept up a heavy

fire to

protect the attack.

In the meantime, the immense

stockade was thundering out the

drum within the

summons

the whole of the neighbourhood for war.

to collect

This signal

was answered by the heavy booming sound of

numerable drums
near

and as

it

throughout the

had now become

light,

distinguish the natives collecting from

evidently

posted

surrounding

my men

our

far

district

position.

all
I

in-

and

could

parts

and

therefore

as skirmishers around the circle about

eighty yards distant from

the stockade, facing out-

wards, while the small party forced the gateway.

The

fire

of the snider rifles

and the steady shooting

of the " Forty Thieves " quickly reduced the

VOT,.

T.

number

IHMAILIA.

274
of arrows, and

[chap.

natives, finding that

tlie

made

ting too hot, suddenly

The stockade,

was immensely

or zareeba,

and arranged

bullet out of ten

the crevices

we

would have found

if fired

close

up

strong, formed

imbedded

in the

so closely together that not one

its

way through

The proper way

from a distance.

to attack the circular strongholds

den rush

forest.

within of upwards of six hundred cows.

of massive logs of iron-wood deeply

earth,

of ne-

the gateway was forced, and

At the same time

j^rize

now

and they gained the

cessity widely scattered,

get-

a dash through a secret

entrance and rushed through the troops,

found a

was

it

VIII.

is

to

make

a sud-

to the defence, and to lay the

between the openings

the

rifle

stockade then becomes

a protection to the attacking party, as there

is

no

flank fire to enfilade them.

The
but

natives

now

were

gathering on

sides

all

;,

were in possession, and although our partv

w^e

consisted

of

only seventy

pregnable position, which

by Tayib Agha.

men,

we had

an

im-

could hold until joined

accordingly took a few of the

''Forty Thieves" to a distance of about 150 pacest

away

from

the

centre,

and

concealed

them

as

sharpshooters, wherever I found a convenient cover.

The

fire

spectful

of the
distance,

sniders

and

kept the
took

enemy

at

re-

few shots myself

CHAP,

TAYIB AGRA MISSES THE PATH.

viit.]

loDg range to teach tliem

at

snider

the real vakie

of

rifle.

There were no
risen,

275

sio-ns

and clouds of steam began

ground and the dripping

huts to be

fired, as

The sun was

of Tayib Agha.

trees.

to rise

from the wet

ordered some grass

the volume of smoke might attract

the attention of Tayib Agha's detachment, which had

evidently gone astray.

the sound of our

If near,

rifles.

The huts were soon

high in

they must have heard

in flames,

and the smoke rose

which would be a signal to be seen

aii-,

from a great distance.

I

sent two buglers to the top of a tall tree, from

which elevated post they blew the

tenant-colonel and
for about half

his

three companies

cuits

was a

thus
fair

was

calf

fat

and cooking immediately commenced.

salt

continually

an hour.

"We were hungr}^, therefore a

box of

for the lieu-

call

killed,

had a

and pepper, together with some

we were

cook

in luxury.

My

little

bis-

good Monsoor

therefore the fat, kidneys, and liver

having been cut into pieces about two inches square,

and arranged on a

and peppered, and

steel

laid

ramrod, were well salted

on the red-hot embers when

the flame and smoke had subsided.

so

is

nothing

the

ramrod

There

good as kabobs thus simply prepared

T 2

ISMAILIA.

276
is

[chap. viii.

stuck upriglit in the ground, and 3^ou

tlien

down and

sit

Salt should

cut off the pieces as required.

always be carried mixed with black and red pepper

in proper proportions

much

saves

it

AYe were enjoying our breakfast

trouble.

the cows lately

captured gave plenty of milk, which our servants had

and we were

dis-

Tayib Agha having

lost

boiled in the Baris' earthen pots,

cussing

the

distant shots fired on the

at the foot of Belinian mountain,

hills

mile

of'

when we heard

his way,

open

possibility

and a half

to

We

our right.

about

shortly dis-

tinguished smoke, which was a reply to our signal.

It

was evident that Tapb Agha had strayed

to the south, but

it

was

satisfactory to

know

far

that

he had seen our position.

We

could

now

and

telescope,

distinguish

the troops

even make out the gun that was

dragged by about twenty men.

direct

way

My men

with the

They were on

their

to join us.
girls,

whom

was about

fifteen,

had captured three young

they brought to me.

and was pretty and

The

oldest

intelligent

she had formerly

been a slave of the traders, and was marked, according

to

their

custom,

by

several

scars

on either cheek.

This girl spoke good Arabic, and did not appear to

show the

slightest alarm.

CHAP,

asked her

I
us,

INFORMATION GIVEN TO BARI

viii.]

and taken

become

the Belinian Baris had attacked

cattle

from the station at Gondokoro,

been

allies,

invited

She replied that

by the sheik AUorron

told

we had

to

they had attacked us and

therefore

now among

driven off the cows, some of which were

the cattle

277

why

without the slightest provocation

they had

GIRLS.

that morning captured.

her that

we never took

slaves,

therefore

she and her companions might return to the Baris,

and inform them that

of the cattle which they

had come upon the tracks

had driven

from Gon-

off

If they desired peace, I should be

dokoro.

happy

to

treat with them, l)ut if they should return to attack

us at head-quarters,

should not spare them, but

would utterly root them out of the neighbourhood.

The

girls

disturbed

At

laughed and started

not in the least

off,

by the scene around them.

length,

Tayib

Agha's

detachment

guide, who,

They were very angry with Morgian, the

they declared, had purposely misled them.
not the fact

the

man had

way

lost his

arrived.

in

This was
the dark

in the endeavour to seek a better path for the gun.

However, we were now united, and

ordered the

men

from

the

to breakfast.

The
vicinity,

sniders

had

cleared

the

natives

and now that we had been reinforced by

ISMAILIA.

278
Tayib Aglia's party,

was no hope

tliere

They accordingly kept

[chap.

aloof,

VIII.

for tlie Baris.

and merely watched our

of high trees, where they

movements from the tops

perched like cormorants, and saw^ the enjopnent of

the troops, engaged in roasting beef that had lately

been their own.

I fully

expected a difficulty with the natives

we should attempt
through the

when

to drive the herd of strange cattle

difficult

path to Gondokoro.

I therefore

determined to make a reconnaissance of the neigh-

bourhood when the

in

breakfast,
vicinity,

men

order

to

should have
drive

and thus obtain a

the

ffiiished

Baris

fair start for

their

from

the

the cattle.

Leaving one company to protect the stockade and

captured

cattle, I

took the remaining three companies

and the gun, and extending the

line in

open order,

with skirmishers thrown out in front and the gun

in the centre,

large

we advanced through

river

bed,

now almost

abrupt banks, lay on our

thinner,

left.

the country.
dry,

with very

The wood became

and we suddenly emerged upon a broad,

open valley or

plain,

which was bounded on our right

by the high mountain

of

Belinian, about a mile and

a half distant.

This plain was covered with villages, and the entire

country was green with cultivation, the dhurra being

CHAP.

THE RETREAT.

VIII.]

then about two

The Oo-un-carriao-e
ran
O
groimd, and we advanced rapidly

feet

easily over the flat

279

hio-L.

forward, the Baris clearing: out of their villao^es and

gathering on our flanks as

from the gun sent an

ploded in the

was

This

distant.

notice

sufficient

to

700 yards

we

had

two

miles,

we

them

driven

forward

and

The

C|uit.

enemy dared not stand upon open ground

after

shot

eight-pound shell which ex-

above a group about

air

we approached.

thus,

about

for

to

the

the gateway and drove out

the

about

faced

returned

.stockade.

AVe

hungry

now opened
cattle.

They looked very

feared a stampede

was necessary

it

the hands of our two

as

the

cattle

wild,

allies,

to leave

rather

them in

Sherroom, and Morgian,

understood

neither

and

Arabic

nor

After a

manners or customs of the Egyptians.

the
little

whistling and coaxing in the Bari language, the herd

by troops on both

started, well protected

an

advance

rear

guard

at

was brought up

150

])y

paces'

the

flanks,

distance.

and

The

gun and the " Forty

Thieves."

The natives appeared

that

we were going

to

be under the impression

to pass the night at the zareeba

thus they had no knowledge of our

<irrive<l

at

Gondokoro and entered the

start,

and we

station about

ISMAIL'iA.

280
an hour

after

[chap.

been

having

sunset,

VIII.

nineteen

out

hours.

now

learnt

the Baris of

that

Gondokoro had

imagined that the greater portion of the troops had

gone to

Belinian

an excursion of some days

for

drums and

accordingly beaten their big

they had

gathered together from

quarters

all

camp, but discretion overcame

they found a large force

On June
and with a

9,

to

their

attack

the

when

valour

at head-quarters.

still

eight vessels of Agad's hove in sight,

fair breeze

they arrived opposite the island

at 2.30 P.M.

Abou Saood was

June
this

Abou Saood

10,

morning.

benefited

in one of these vessels.

His

much by

presented himself to

vessels,

me

being without cargoes,

our work in the sudd.

He

found

our cuttings open, therefore he had no difhculty

all

until he arrived at the

cut a passage.

dam, through which

his people

The great rush of water scoured a

deep channel, and his squadron of light vessels came

on without

difficulty.

camp on

to

ordered

Abou

Saood's people

the west bank of the river, as I did not

wish them to be in

my

troops,

by

their morals.

who would

constant

communication with

quickly become contaminated

The news brought by Abou Saood from Khartoum

CHAP.

ARRIVAL OF ABOU SAOOD.

VIII.]

informed

me

of the death of

representation of the

devolved upon
I

now heard

Abou

fii'm

of

Agad

281
the

therefore

Agad &

had now

Co.

Saood, his son-in-law.

that the people of

Abou Saood, who

numbered about 500 men, had brought with them

a large herd of cattle which they had driven along
the west bank of the river

of the government authority,

upon some

tribe

thus in direct defiance

he had made a razzia

and

during his voyage,

not scrupled to present himself to

of stolen cattle staring

me

me

had

he

with the herd

in the face

on the other

side of the water.

On my way up from
a

Turkish

major,

the Bahr C4iraffe

Achmet Eafik

had

left

with

Effendi,

corporal and five men, in the Shir tribe, about forty

miles from Gondokoro, with a friendly sheik

Niambore.
powerful

This

man

that

sheik
I

was the

tallest

named

and

most

ever saw in Africa, and he was a

trustworthy and good fellow.

He had promised

to

cultivate a farm for the government, therefore I

had

given him ten bushels of dhurra for seed, and

had

left

with him at his request the

to represent

and

officer

soldiers,

the government and to superintend the

cultivation.
I

had

now

discovered that the scoundrel,

attacked

the

natives

without

Abou

any

Saood,

provoca-


ISMAILIA.

^282
lion,

and had carried

off

[chap. viir.

the cattle from the sheili

iidjoining Niambore's district.

The

would

natives

and

officer

men were

six

Abou Saood

naturally
spies

my

imagine that

who had

directed

and there would be a

to their cattle,

great chance of a conflict between Niambore, their

and

protector,
I

who had been

his neighbours

robbed.

observed with the telescope that the people of

Abou Saood who

arrived with

the herd

of

cattle

were accompanied by a great number of natives,

<and the

with

who had been long

which

arrived with

usual

as

in Africa

is

at

open war

welcome the new comers

us, flocked to

friends

had

who were

Baris of Gondokoro,

absent.

as old

The brigands

large herd of

cattle,

always the best introduction

thus

the robber tribe of AUorron was delighted at the re-

turn of those

who had always

led

and had enriched them with the

I

slaves.

the following

find

them

to plunder,

spoil of

entry in

cows and-

my

journal,

dated

"June
with

us

12,

1871.

natives

have been gathering

spot on

to the

The

the

west

The

are

people.

friendly

intercourse with them,

at

home

latter

assisting

are

large

at

war

numbers

bank occupied by

Saood's

quite

in

who

Abou

actually holding

and the Baris

these rascals

in

are

erecting

CHAP.

camp, altliough

tlieir

tlie

INSOLENCE OF THE SLArE-TBADEES.

VIII.]

tliey positively refused to assist

government upon our

treasonable

that

This

first arrival.

we

are

the

is

Abou Saood, who

conduct of

perfectly well

283

knows

open war with the

at

Baris.

"His

large

herd of about 1,400 fat cattle were

driven along in triumph, followed by the admiring

population of thieving niggers,
as

the

harbinger

the general

and the

of

depot

for

all

hail

his arrival

Gondokoro

times,

fat

point

starting

who

being

stolen cattle, slaves,

for

every

piratical

&g.,

expe-

dition.

" In the afternoon I started in a dingy, accompanied

by Colonel Abd-el-Kader, Lieutenant Baker, Monsoor

and

four soldiers, to visit the traders'

west side of the

me

"Seeing
left

the

and taking

great
to

number

respect,

stared

me

of

Baris

a precipitate flight

they disappeared in the high reeds.

people received

the

river.

approach, a

traders,

camp on

The

traders'

without the slightest mark

of

and one insolent fellow swaggered up and

me

in the face with a pipe in

his

mouth

as a

studied insult.
" I went to the cattle pens and immediately placed

my

four soldiers as sentries over the herd, which I

confiscated.


ISMAILiA.

284
" It

would be a disgrace

Gondokoro

as

is

[chap. viii.

to tolerate these thieves,

rendered

a perfect

hell,

and the

natives will naturally abhor any lawful government

so long as they can

consort and share spoils with

such brigands as these so-called traders of Khar-

toum."

Upon my

return

Abou Saood

to

of

home

which the following

" IsMAiLiA, or

"

wrote an

is

a copy:

Gondokoro, June

To Abou Saood, vakeel of

the

letter

official

12, 1871.

&

firm of Agdd

Co.

" SlE,

"You
large

number

arrived here on the 10th inst. with a

of cattle stolen

by you and your

"You, knowing that the Baris were

the

government,

have nevertheless

at

people.

war with

been in

daily

and friendly communication with them.

"

to

The Baris
all

this country are rendered hostile

honest government by the conduct

people, who,
interior,

troyed

of

by

stealing slaves

and delivering them

all

and

here,

cattle

of

your

from the

have utterly

dis-

hope of improvement in a people naturally

savage, but

now

rendered by your

acts thieves

of

the worst description.

" It

is

impossible that

of such acts.

can permit the continuance

NOTICE TO QUIT.

CHAP, vm.]

" I therefore give

you due notice

ration of your contract

people from the

285

you

the expi-

withdraw

ay ill

under

district

tliat at

my

your

all

At

command.

the same time I declare the forfeiture to the govern-

ment

of the cattle

the eyes of

my

you have

authority.
"

The only

once have placed

my

Samuel W. Baker."

acknowledge throughout

error that I can

the expedition was

at

under

forcibly captured

present leniency.

Abou Saood

and have

in irons,

sent him to Khartoum, instead of

should

leaving

him

at

large to carry on his intrigues against the govern-

ment.
I

to

intended on the

opportunity to send notice

first

the Shir tribe of the safety of their cattle, hut

my

an incident shortly occurred that altered

deter-

mination.

At

the same time that

Abou Saood was

he was a bosom friend of

who commanded my

the colonel,

troops.

durino: the

awaiting

originally

loncj

my

arrival

officer,

commenced

interval that

Eaouf Bey,

They dined together

constantly in the house of the latter

friendship had

in disfrrace,

the

from Cairo.

in

and

Khartoum

resfiments
It

their

were

was during

that interval that the officers of the expedition

had

ISMAI Li'A.

286
fraternised witli

[chap. VIII.

AVhite Nile traders wlio resided

tlie

Khartoum.

at

The

result of sur-h

The

object

intimacy might be imagined.

distasteful to both

had always

expedition

the

of

and men.

officers

The

Lad already seen by the examples made

keeyah that

been

traders-

at Tewfi-

should actually destroy their cherished

was

It

slave-trade.

natural

therefore

Abou

that

Saood should exert himself to ruin the expedition.

Kaouf Bey, he was in a posi-

Having

a friend in

tion

create division of

to

associated "with this

known

be generally

influential person

the

officer,

camp

opinions

concerning the

self

The

my

officers

express orders, purchased

of

stations

voyage

Gondokoro

the

had

only

thus

when

had,

126

during

traders

contrary to

slaves

learnt

this

corn

was

we had an

The policy
with the

of

feelino's

the
of

from the

White

the

on
so

the

officers

was

at

that

scarce

meat were

addition of 126 mouths

slave-traders

Nile

arrival

the rations were reduced, while those of

increased,

the

that

at variance.

expedition

of the

The

between my-

slave-traders

and Raouf Bey were

should

service.

assumed

quickly

of

it

supported by an

government

in the

constantly

in order that

that he was

scandal

He

opinion.

identical

and men,

all

of

CHAP.

CONSTANT ATTACKS BY THE BABIS.

VIII.]

whom

wished to abandon the expedition and return

Abou Saood worked

Khartoum.

to

intrigues.

He

his Baris.

Many

the

2S7

natives

mole-like in

fraternised secretly with Allorron

men

of his

exchange

in

his-

and

purchased tobacco from

The

ammunition.

for

natives from Belinian were in daily communication

with

Abou

and

Saood's camp,

their spies obtained

information of our proceedings, and carried the news

throughout the country that " they would be supported by

I learnt

Abou Saood

authority."

everything that occurred through trust-

worthy agents.

Bey was

my

against

known

that

Raouf

desirous to terminate the expedition.

The

contagion

It

quickly became

spread

languidly and without

had made up

and

rapidly,

their

tlie

men worked

the

slightest interest

they

minds that the expedition

wa,s

a failure, and that a scarcity of corn would be their

excuse

for

return

to

fanned the flame among the

became

Abou

Khartoum.
officers,

Saood

and discontent

general.

In the

meantime the Baris were very

annoying the camp

could not stand

at night.

against

they harassed them

vigilance both

l)y

by

niglit

the

active in

Although these
the

troops in

necessitating

and day.

It

native.-^

open,

perpetual

was necessary

to have strong patrols in two parties at

all

hours

ISMAILIA.

288

and

I regret

The

sary.

discipline

Soudani

were

ignorant,

enjoy

to

and good

activity

wliere

were absolutely neces-

and

officers

superior

far

war

of

state

men, although
Egyptians

the

to

in

and courage.

activity

Unfortunately the camp was

now

and men

to say the Egyptian officers

appear

did not

[chap. VIII.

from

suffered

the

The men

sickly.

the

of

fatigue

Many had

voyage through slush and marsh.

Ulcerated legs were prevalent

and dysentery.

this disease appeared

long-

fever

and

Many men

to be contagious.

died from these malignant ulcers, which in some cases

entirely destroyed
suffer

from

poisonous

The women did not

the foot.

this complaint.

and rapidly

women had

the

that festered

grass

wound

produced an incurable
not been exposed

from a

originated

It

As the

sore.

to the

gave,

it

work

the

in

marshes, they had escaped the scourge inflicted by

the sharp edges of the grass.

There was no rest for the people

build
time.

The

their

camp and

fight

and

could not hope

men were

for

troops

of

dreadful

of the

state

well

from

river

them

had

in the face.

of

they

we

corn and

Khartoum

thus

to

same

aware that

supplies

regular

reinforcements

they

the Baris at the

scarcity of corn stared

officers

in

felt

the
their

CHAP.

VIII.]

TROOPS DISPIRITED.

289

position keenly, as sick, dispirited, in the midst of

enemies, with approacliing famine

communication with the

culties

object

Soudan.

were to be endured

which

they

of corn, and

for

All

an

suppression

of

sake

the slave trade."

VOL.

I.

difiGi-

of

the

"the
detested

these

no

"U

CHAPTER
NEW
Our
the

IX.

ENEMIES.

enemies were not confined to the land only

neighbourhood of Gondokoro

the

in

crocodiles

As

were exceedingly ferocious.

much

in the habit of

these

cattle,

wily

swimming

creatures

customed to claim a
calf,

or nigger.

carried

off

soldiers,

toll

Two

of

in

the natives were so

to

and

fro

had been always

the

Abou

shape

engaged

water, only hip deep,

was

ac-

of a cow,

Saood's sailors were

One

of

my

others

in

the

on two consecutive days.

while

with their

with

many

seized

by a

crocodile.

The

man, being held by the leg below the knee, made a

good
eyes

fight,
;

rescued

his

and thrust

his fingers into the creature's

comrades at the same time assisted and

him from

absolute destruction

bone was so mashed and splintered in

but the leg-

many

that he was obliged to submit to amputation.

places

SAILOR SEIZED BY CROCODILE.

CHAP. IX.]

One

of

my

many

others

of

species

muddy
water,

He and

escape.

were engaged in collecting the leaves

water-convolvulus

of

spinach

excellent

had a narrow

sailors

291

plant

this

bank, but

upon which

rooted

is

on

the

upon the surface of the

runs

it

make an

that

pink blossoms are very orna-

its

mental.

The

was stooping from the bank to gather

sailor

when he was suddenly

the floating leaves,

the

arm

at the elbow-joint

his friends

by

seized

immediately

caught him round the waist, and their united

eftbrts

prevented him frum being dragged into the water.

The

crocodile,

blood,

would not quit

tugged and wrenched the arm completely

its hold, l)ut

ofi"

having tasted

and went

at the elbow-joint,

The unfortunate man,

brought to the

in

off

with

excruciating

camp, where

it

prize.

its

agony,

was

was necessary

to

amputate another piece slightly above the lacerated

joint.
I

made

a point of carrying a

simply to destroy these terrible

was a

better

Holland, of

rifle

Bond

rifle

reptiles.

at

all

times,

There never

than " the Dutchman," made

Street.

This

little

l)y

weapon was a

double-barrelled breechloader, and carried the Boxer

bullet of

government

drachms of powder.

calibre,

with a charge of three

The accuracy of both

barrels

'1

was

ISMAIM A.

292
extraordinary

it

was only sighted up

but by taking

tlie

great precision

up

bead very
to 300.

certain of crocodiles

with

could generally

make

it

could put the bullet exactly

either behind the eye,

right place,

the

as

much one

as

my

bone of

ammunition

my

of

body.

thus

it

component parts

had a large supply of

never lost an opportunity of

shooting at a crocodile's head

On many

the surface.

rifle

and throughout the expedition

9flbs.,

was almost

or right

This handy

through the centre of the shoulder.

weighed

250 yards,

carried

full,

to

basking on a sand-bank within

if

a hundred yards, as
in

[chap. IX.

if

saw one above

moved

occasions they never

from the shot when basking on sand-banks, but were

simply extinguished.

One

of our

women went

never returned.

to the river to wash, but

was

This

close to our diahbeeah

and the water being shallow, there

is

no doubt that

she was seized by a crocodile.

I

was one day returning from head-quarters

station,
river's

my

a distance of a mile and a half along the

bank,

when

noticed

head of a

the large

crocodile about thirty yards from the shore.

every inch of the

water was
rush

to

that

river,

shallow.

grew

upon

and

was

solitary

the

bank,

knew

satisfied that the

piece

of

exactly

waving
opposite

SHOOT A CROCODILE.

CHAP. IX.]

mark

the crocodile, would

down,

ing

the position

and then running forward,

bank,

thus, stoop-

from

inland

retreated

quietly

293

crept

the

gently

towards the rush.

Stooping as low as possible,

advanced

near

grew

very

till

tufts

of

grass),

same

until,

Dutchman could

At that

hit a half-crown

thus the

aimed just behind the

the crocodile

turning slowly on

its

feet

two

was favourable, and

eye.

Almost as

touched the

gave a convulsive
back,

it

stretched

and

start,

its

in this position in

four legs
;

then

it

water about

feet deep.

My
lialter

horse
or

was

always

tethering-rope

furnished

thus

crocodile

behind the

with

ordered

and another man to jump into the

the

above

angle

above the surface, straining every muscle

remained motionless

made

therefore

or

the

distance,

The bank was about four

sure of bagging.

trigger,

my

more than twenty-six

not

position,

which

(upon

by slowly raising

twenty-eight yards from me.

the water

bank

observe the head of the crocodile in

head, I could
the

the

river

long

the

syce

and secure

by a rope fastened round the body

fore-legs.

This was quickly accomplished,

and the men remained knee-deep hauling upon the

away

the

meantime Monsoor had mounted

my

rope to prevent the stream from carrying

body.

In the

ISMAIL!A.

294
and galloped

horse

the

assistance to

for

off

[chap. ix.

camp

of the " Forty Thieves."

Crocodiles are very tenacious of

they

and although

life,

may be shot through the brain and be actually dead

practical purposes, they will remain motion-

for all

less at first,

but they will begin instinctively to move

the limbs and

tail

If lying

shot.

a few minutes after receiving the

upon a sand-bank,

or in deep water,

they would generally disappear unless secured by

a

and

movements

the spasmodic

as

rope,

of the limbs

would act upon the water, and the body

tail

would be carried away.

The

crocodile, that

began to move

had appeared stone dead, now

its tail,

holding on to the rope

alive

was

It

fellows that

my

and

cried

two men who were

out that

it

in vain that I assured the

it

was dead.

was

still

frightened

was on the bank, and

they were in the water within a few feet of the

crocodile,

which made some difference in our ideas

of its vivacity.
to struggle,

Presently the creature really began

and the united

hardly restrain

it

men

and

fled

as I

the

men

could

from getting into deeper water.

The monster now began

the

efforts of

to

that they would

had they not been

yawn, which so

terrified

have dropped the rope

afraid of the consequences,

was addressing them rather

forcibly

from the

CHAP.

UNDENIABLE WITNESSES.

IX.]

bank.

put another

the

as

a narcotic until the

No

ropes.

than

was

it

arrival

of

men

the

shoulder

of the soldiers with

was the crocodile well secured

began to struggle violently

it

number

sooner

shot through

monster, which appeared to act

of

struggling

295

hauled

upon the

safely landed, I gave

it

but a great

and when

rope,

a blow with a sharp

axe on the back of the neck, which killed

by

it

dividing the spine.

was now dragged along the turf

It

the camp, where

tape,

it

we reached

until

was carefully measured with a

and showed an exact length of 12

from snout to end of

tail.

The stomach contained about

of pebbles, as though

feet 3 inches

it

five

pounds' weight

had fed upon

flesh resting

upon a gravel bank, and had swallowed the pebbles

that

had

Mixed with the pebbles was

adhered.

a greenish, slimy matter that appeared woolly.

the
that

midst of this were three undeniable witnesses

convicted

necklace

and

the negro
girl

girls,

had been

factor that
I

In

have

was

the

crocodile

of wilful

two armlets, such

as

murder.

worn

by

are

were taken from the stomach

digested.
a

This

was

an

old

The
male-

good riddance.

frequently

seen

crocodiles

eighteen feet in length, and there can be

upwards of
little

doubt

ISMAIL!A.

296

small

creature

man

sometimes

they

that

of

[chap. ix.

exceed twenty

may

species

this

The

while swimming.

but a veiy

away

carry

does not

crocodile

attempt to swallow an animal at once, hut having

carried

some deep

camp

The

and

limb from limb with

it

throw

the

shadoof

one

Thieves" had

"Forty

for

been

the gardens were flourish-

each

3,600

out

lifted
lift

as

contained
;

in

Two men

irris^ation.

calculation

buckets

gallons

at leisure.

it

erected a " shadoof," or Egyptian double

and

made

(or

tears

the

of

and lever

bucket

iron

it

some time since

finished

lift

hole,

and claws and devours

teeth

ing,

favourite feeding-place, generally in

to a

it

per

gallons

nearly

men

thus,

tAvo

eight

gallons

more
with

every

eight seconds)

hour.

possible

as

slightly

could
I

the

than

four

the

double

eight

seconds

a gallon per second

gave 3,600 per hour.

I

at

my

never allowed the

the

general

personal

head-quarters,

When

escort.

been particular in their

to teach

them

" Forty

to

drill,

at

and

but

kept them

TcAvfikeeyah
I

shoot accurately.

all

the

the

latter

by degrees

Egyptians excepting four,

as

had

had endeavoured

The Egyptians

became better shots than the Soudanis, but

preferred

work

Thieves " to

and

drafted
filled

much
out
their

CHAP.

TEE "FORTY THIEVES."

IX.]

297

places vdth well-selected blacks, mostly taken from

company of
commencement

the grenadier

At

the

known among

earned the

well

the English party, although

this

title

of

publicly
as "

camp they were only designated

the

in

expedition

the

of

Thieves" by which they were always

"Forty

the

men had

body of

small

regiment.

tlie

The

Forty."
I

had taken great personal care of

and the

had been got

after

was most

result

rid of.

never forgave a fault until

them when

attended to them myself.

a feeling of pride

instil

The thieves

satisfactory.

punishment had been received

the doctor to attend

this little corps,

never allowed

ill,

but invariably

had endeavoured to

among them, and encouraged

them with an

idea of their superiority to the other

regiments.

actually

succeeded in establishing a

code of honour throughout the corps, until

considered a disgrace to " The Forty

committed.

should be

Forty

'

f "

was

the

" Is

"

that a theft

not one of

he

exclamation

usual

doubt was thrown on the character of

The

fiict

of his

belonging to " The

was

it

'

if

The
any

a soldier.

Forty " was a

sufficient certificate.

The regimental arrangements

been sadly n'glected, as the

at head-quarters

men were

had

necessarily

ISMAIL! A.

298

engaged in other work that they had no

SO mucli

time

[chap. IX.

for

except

drill

on

The

Fridays.

"Forty

Thieves " were well officered, having the advantage

of

and

lieutenant-colonel

with two most active and

who had
conduct

lately

condemned
year,

my

to

lieutenants,

promotion for good

Monsoor

faithful

The young

together

captain,

courageous

received their

these were

Agha.

Ferritch

Aglia,

who had been

soldier,

be shot for desertion the

had shown

such

and

previous

and activity that

devotion

he was promised the next vacancy in the rank of

corporal.

The non-commissioned

who had

seen

highly

rifle

efficient

in

wdth the exception of the

at Tewfikeeyah, having paid

all-important

this

prize-shooting

Both

work.

point,

pleasure

to

rifle

officers

instructed

the

had established

and men now took an immense

but

practice,

make them good

impossible to

attention

give an additional interest to the

officers

in

much

had

and men personally, and

officers

eight

and the corps was

service,

state

were soldiers

practice.

While
to

much

officers

and men,

shots.

had

could be called real hitters;

appeared almost

it

the

Out

of forty-

only fifteen

who

others were only

shooters.

The great

difficulty

was

to instruct

them

in

dis-

RIFLE PRACTICE.

CHAP. IX.]

tances.

them away from camp

frequently took

and made tliem guess the distance

particular object, such

as

in paces

hill.

slightest idea of this

but at the commencement, even

At

the officers were perfectly ignorant.

constant practice

from some

a tree, or white-ant

Very few of the men had the

important subject

299

the target, varying

at

length,

the

by

range

from 100 to 300 yards, about a third of the corps

became

fair shots,

and these few were tolerably good

judges of distance up to 400 yards.

The

colonel,

Abd-el-Kader, became an excellent shot, as he was

who

took great interest in his profession.

The remainder

of the corps shot as well as they could,

an

officer

and took great pains

sidered crack

but although they were con-

marksmen by

the line-regiments, their

reputation would have suffered

At any

had been exposed.

their deficiencies

if

rate,

they were very

dangerous with such a weapon as the snider, when

filing into
I

masses of the enemy.

distinguished "

by a

scarlet

shirt,

worn outside

by a

belt,

The Forty " from the

uniform

this

their

line

regiment

was a simple red

Zouave

trousers,

flannel

and secured

with ammunition-pouches, round the waist.

This uniform, with linen gaiters, and with a headdress of the scarlet
blue, looked

fez.,

remarkably

bound by
well.

a turban of cobalt

ISMAILIA.

300

In active service, the

[chap. IX.

officers carried sniders

thus,

the corps complete consisted of forty-eight sniders;

but together with Lieutenant Baker and myself,

comj^rised fifty

The high

rifles.

state of discipline

fine

morale of

even with a material of so low a reputation

efi'ected,

the

and the

was a good example of what may be

this little force

as

My men

negro.

Each had a

Africa.

were natives of various

immense extent of Central

tribes scattered over an

certain love of the country from

which he had been originally stolen by the

traders

when

government

up

a boy, before he

service.

this feeling,

men

it

his

way

into

always endeavoured to keep

and

found

slaA^e-

emulation among the

to create

of different tribes

thus,

a native

of

Pongo

would assume a superiority over a Dinka, although

the Dinka considered himself of a higher class than

a Pongo.

all others.

But by degrees

that

all

Thus,

others,

the

become old

all

that an

old

good reputation should take precedence

without reference to caste or

aim of

all

soldiers,

their merits.

as superior to

established a principle

was generally accepted by them

soldier with a

of

Noba regarded himself

young

and

privates

to rise in

tribe.

would be

to

rank according to

There were several excellent examples

of good soldiers in "

The Forty," among

whom

stood

ESPRIT DE CORPS.

301

CHAP.

IX.]

first

MohammecI-el-Feel, sergeant of the bodv-guard.

The

latter

comprised ten men, selected from "The

Forty" as creme de la creme ; these men were exempted

from

all

by

sentries

The

and they formed the guard of two

labour,

and one by day.

night,

discipline of this picked corps

and the Forty Thieves "

moral reform,

great

" Abd-el-Kader

was the commencement

that

in an

resulted

of a

improved

tone throughout the force, which ultimately did the

great work of the expedition.

The
fact

efficiency of "

The Forty

"

was an established

what could be accomplished where

of

officers

and men were governed by that peculiar confidence

them

that bound

toorether as

one man.

Throuohout

the expedition, after this confidence had been once

established, I never for

of
fire

my men

they woukl have followed

or water,

action,

an instant doubted the

me

fidelity

through

without the slightest hesitation.

" The Forty " were always in

In

advance, and

they were watched with eagerness and even pride

by the other regiments

when thrown

out as skir-

mishers they climbed rocks, pushed through jungles,

and cleared the enemy from the country with

ir-

liue to "

The

resistible activity.

Promotion from the

Forty " was considered as an honour, and so perfect

was the

esprit

de corps,

that

in

the event

of

ISMAILIA.

302

[chap. IX.

vacancy being caused by sickness, or other cause, the

men

reported to

before

him

virtually he

the character of the new-comer

was admitted, and

he

receive

to

me

corps

respectfully declined

he bore a doubtful reputation

if

was "black-balled."
of

this character

was a

would not admit a

accepted

as

thief

"

The

extension of military morality.

nucleus for an

Forty Thieves

"

and they became generally

model of what government

soldiers

should become.
believe that

if

were possible to convert the

it

greater portion of African

soldiers,

it

would be the most rapid

their future civilization.

is

fact of obedience being

order,

industry,

absolutely

required

bring

to

within the bounds of good management.

who

has led a wild and uncontrolled

learn to obey authority before

can be expected.

whom
their

and

soldier

learnt all that he

life

is

savage

savage

must

first

any great improvement

must obey, and he

to respect his officers as his superiors

who has

towards

stride

with clothing and cleanliness,

together

discipline,

that

The

and the necessity of

enforced,

all

savages into disciplined

learns

thus, a savage

knows from

his officers,

he admits as his superiors, will quickly adopt

religion,

as

he

their military rules.

has

My

been
soldiers

obliged

were

all

to

adopt

Moham-

CHAP.

IX.]

BAEIS STALK

AND KILL THE

SENTRIES. 303

medans, simply because they had been taught by

their

good

that

ofi&cers

should

soldiers

be

true

believers.

As
mile

my

have already described,

and a half distant from

the arrangements under

my

station

head-quarters,

and

personal inspection were

very different from the lax discipline of the

at

was a

officers

Gondokoro.

The natives
ing they

had disregarded the warn-

of Belinian

had

and now, having leagued

received,

themselves with the Baris of Gondokoro, they were

constantly on the watch for an opportunity of surprising

the

behind thick

guards.

cattle
foliage,

Concealing themselves

they stalked the careless sentries

with the adroitness of American Icdians, and some-

times succeeded in makings a dash and driving off

a few head of cattle.
I

was obliged

night, as

"

my

to take extra precautions during the

little

station

was dependent only upon

The Forty," while the camp

occupied by 1,200 men,

sailors,

and the

at head-quarters

in addition

about 400

six Englishmen.

The natives disturbed us every

constantly fired at by
cartridges containing

rammetl down

to

was

over

night,

the sentries.

and were
served

out

eight-mould shot, each to be

tlie

ball

in

tlie

muskets for

ISMA ILIA.

304
night sentries

tlie

these would be

thief in the dark than

hit a

[chap. IX.

more

likely to

The

a single bullet.

muskets were given to the sentries in addition

their

rifles.

as

so

my men

placed

every night, concealed by cover,

command

to

The

approaches.

various

the

conveniently situated, as a large and

was

station

deep lake completely defended the north flank

a

distance

on two

On

"The

of

28th June

The Baris

it

we were only open

commanded by

rained steadily during the night.

considered

our

that

most

sentries

likely

would be

not expect an

Their advanced scouts approached warily in

dark,

sentries,

but long before

they had reached

behind

concealed

from

musket

a white-ant

stretched

one

This was

throat.

native

hill.

Bari

The guards pounced upon another and

by the

the

they passed within a few feet of a party

of 'guards

shot

river

they therefore resolved to attempt a sur-

prise.

the

thus

for

Forty."

under cover, or would

attack

The

yards.

one of which was

sides,

camp

400

about

of

defended the east face

the

to

dead.

seized

him

of Belinian

he was accordingly hanged on the following morning to

linian

tree

Baris

in

the

arrived

pathway by which the Be-

through the

forest

to

attack

CONSTANT ATTACKS.

CHAP.

IX.

the

camp.

Tliis

305

was hoped would be a warn-

it

ing that might deter others.

Ou
the

5th July

natives

made an attempt on

and shot a sentry with an arrow.

cattle,

On

the

7th July the Baris attacked the

camp during

the night.

On
sion

July

Stli

sent a

and to hold the

company

island.

Monsoor and Achmet

and

narrow escape from

and two

prisoners.

Ou

that day

the

was the highest

On

Bash Choush

The Baris

river rose four feet six,

flood during the

made

three

which

wet season.

soldiers belonged

behaved badly,
belt

were

as

to

the line, and

the musket

stolen

alarmed the camp.

and

fought
I.

must have

ofi"

from the

The horses were saddled, and,

natives had

scattered, but

VOL.

another.

and cartouche-box

carried

attended by Lieutenant Baker,

The

wounding

upon

The shots from the guard immediately

dead man.

suit.

cattle un-

a sudden rush from the bushes

the guards, killing one soldier and

who

10th July, at mid-day, several hundred Baris,

observed,

and

had

lost

having cautiously approached the grazing

The

posses-

They met the natives

lances.

killed

to take

rode hard in pur-

gained the forest and had

we rode a red-painted savage

to

the

last,

shooting

to bay,

two arrows

at

ISMAILIA.

306
me, which.

saddle

by spurring

On

the

well-aimed

a very

to

surprise

killed.

attempted

and the camp

station

of

a distance

at

12th July the Baris

my

both

deeply in

his horse across the line of sight.

The native was

few yards.

stuck

he escaped

as

These arrows Avere shot

On

arrow

third

and. a

Mr. Baker's
shot

my

avoided by dropping quickly on

neck,

horse's

[chap. IX.

at head-quarters.

the 13th the natives repeated the attempt; but

dead by the sentry at

one was shot

also another

met the same

fate at

Gondokoro

my

station.

Nearly every night we were subject to attempts at

This was excellent practice for the troops,

surprise.

as

it

taught them

look-out

at the

men had

as the

the necessity of keeping a good

same time
to

was very wearying,

it

work hard

all

day, and

they

were kept awake at night.

The Baris were

no

rest.

irrepressible

My men

were

the station, therefore

it

all

lesson

but

was impossible

made up my mind

work should be

finished,

out of them most thoroughly.

occupied in building
for

me

to

a flying column and give the Baris a severe

take

us

vermin that gave us

fair

game,

thought proper

and

when

would take the

the
fight

They now considered

they might insult

that
;

that

as

they

heard from our two faithful

CHAP.

307

Sherroom and Morgian, that they considered

allies,

should become afraid of them, and then return

^ye

to

WILY METHOD OF ATTACK.

IX.]

Khartoum.

They teased us

many men.

at night like rats, but they lost

rather admired

sistence, as the

scouts

Whenever

fellows.

them

for their

per-

must have been adventurous

these people were taken prisoners,

they confessed that they were the spies of the main

body that was concealed

The

rear.

during

ftivourite

the

halt

method of a Bari attack

On

such occasions they gene-

high grass, according

either in forest or

to circumstances, about half a mile

they propose to

sent

forward

and vigilance of

sentries

the

until

crawl upon

darkness

their

permits

proach within a few yards of the

then

flat

lie

they can

upon

retreat

to

their

the

The

main body.

before the advance of the

being quite naked,

from the camp

Scouts are

attack.

to ascertain the position

knees

is

when the darkness reduces the

night,

danger of fire-arms.
rally

some distance in the

at

bellies

scouts,

hands

them

to

and
ap-

They

sentries.

unobserved

until

body

their

expectant

in

rear.

The
silence,

the

attacking

force

now

advances

in

perfect

and approaching upon hands and knees in

same

manner

as

the

scouts,

they suddenly

X 2

ISMAIL! A.

308

[chap. ix.

make

spring upon the sentries, and with wild yells

a general rush upon the camp.

would
against

and

dangerous

extremely

be

manner

in this

This sudden attack

provided

unless

large

parties

of

the

slave-hunters have been completely destroyed.

The

passive

resistance

numerous

the

to

native

attempts at surprise had been misconstrued by the

The news had spread throughout

Baris into timidity.

the country that

we should not venture

thus a grand alliance had been

The Baris desired

to

make

far inland

made among

the tribes.

friends with their powerful

enemy, the Loquia they accordingly invited

:

to

form an alliance and

to join in a

this tribe

combined attack

upon Gondokoro, by which means they hoped

and

overpower

possessed of

destroy

our force,

many thousand

cattle

and

to

to

become

which were now

at head-quarters.

The Loquia consented ; thus we were

grand

coalition.

his people,
river,

exj^osed to a

In the meantime Abou Saood and

in their

camp on

the west

side of the

continued to be most friendly with the enemies

of the government,

and supplied the Belinian natives

with ammunition.

'At 1.30 A.M., on July 21,

sound of
I

was awakened by the

firing at head-quarters.

was dressed and armed

in a

few minutes.

The

i
ill

III

I!'

CHAP.

ATTACK UPON THE STATION.

IX.]

bugle sounded the alarm, and

.'309

The Forty

''

" fell into

position.
I

heard the bugles at head-quarters, together with

a confused din of

The

first

sentries,

native drums,

and

horns,

yells.

had appeared to proceed from the

shots

but these were shortly succeeded by heavy

file-firing

from the whole force at the

An

camp.

attack had evidently been made, and a regular fight

was going on

at head-quarters

it

was therefore

to

my

small force would soon have to

act on the defensive.

Spare ammunition w^as quickly

be expected that

and we were well prepared.

in readiness,

In

the

meantime, a general action was growing

hotter every

moment

the yells of

the natives and

the din of their horns became louder.

of

was speculating upon the

ten

guns

among such

loaded

with

case

a crowd of enemies

ment not a gun was

was mo-

the sound of

mentarily expecting to hear

and

fired.

cannon,

effect that the fire

shot

but to

would

my

have

astonish-

Simply the

roll

of

musketry continued.
In about half an hour the native yells grew
the noise

of their

and the heavy

I

horns and drums

firing

" the

advance."

was reduced,

dwindled to dropping

heard the bugles sound

heard

fainter,

" cease

Again

firinc:."

firing

shots.
I

then

commenced,

ISMAILIA.

310
this time in volleys

and

firing,"

then

heard once more " cease

" the retreat

then

[chap. IX.

the

"

attack

was

repulsed.

could

not

why my

understand

had not been attacked

but

station

little

subsequently heard that

"
the natives were more afraid of the " Forty Thieves

than

the

of

entire

powerful reason that

while the
cattle

this

was the

had only a few cows

for milk,

many thousand head

of

attraction

to

the following morning before sunrise I

camp

to

to

hear the news.

lost

corporal, killed

rode

It appeared that

the natives had actually surprised the sentries.

had

of

induced an attack on the camp at Grondokoro.

On
up

Added

force.

We

and a lieutenant and

one soldier were wounded by arrows.

The Baris and the Loquia had attacked

in large

force with the intention of burning the station, as

many were

provided

they had advanced bravely to the edge of

which

the thorn fence.

tected

with flaming firebrands, with

by

Had

defence

this

the
it is

might have succeeded in

As

fusilade

plain

the

usual,
as

with

not been

probable that the

The

pro-

enemy

firing the houses.

troops had fired badly.

had heard
dead.

station

should have
ofiicers

that great numbers of the

and

Such

covered the

men

enemy were

declared

killed,

but

CHAP.

COMMENCE A

IX.]

comrades had carried

their

was true

bullet

no doubt that

of sentries, and

the thorn fence and the

1,200 men.

many

in

The

and the

patrol

of so largfe a force as

fire

command

of the troops,

explanation

satisfactory

but he subsequently

for the silence of the artillery,

they had forgotten

excitement of the moment.

sur-

was only saved by

it

colonel in

thisfh.

camp was

the

of the

Eaouf Bey, could give no

me

saw blood

wounds, throuo-h the head and

prised through the neglect

told

This

bodies.

and we found a Loquia lying dead with

There can be

sleepiness

311

the

off

to a certain extent, as I

directions,

two

FOET.

Another

the

in

existence

its

ofiicer told

me

they had brought up one gun, but could not find

the

key of the ammunition.

David

said in

his haste,

clusion that they

I

and

remembered what

came

to

had been disgracefully

the

con-

surprised.

determined to lose no time in protecting the

by a ditch and earthwork,

station

leave a garrison without risk,

so that I could

and

would then

attack the country in every direction.

The

iron magazines were completed,

and supplies were

men were

the

drew a plan

for the fort,

care

of

Mr.

all

The camp was

stored.

finished that

and

housed.

which

Higginbotham,

the

goods

so

far

therefore

intrusted to the
chief

engineer,

312

ISMAIL!A.
execution.

for

cluding the

The

have

to

work was commenced

officers

and men did not ob-

them and the

ditch between

deep

was well sup-

expedition
the

and

tools,

with vigour, as the

ject

hands, in-

all

should immediately be employed

fosse.

with

plied

gave orders tbat

sailors,

dig the

to

[chap. ix.

enemy,

to
at

planned a triangular

also

my small
my own

a protection

as

herd of about a hundred milch cows

The

station.

not require a
off

fort

" Forty

Thieves " did

but the cattle might be carried

fort,

by a sudden rush that would induce a stampede

unless they were well secured.

" The

Forty " set

men from

thirty

strong

fort,

work,

to

daily

by

and we soon had a

head-quarters,

with ditch and

assisted

rampart,

that

defied

attack.

short

camp
upon

time

after

at head-quarters, the last attempt

my

little

station,

men

being well

one

of

on

the scouts,

through the thigh.

that

grand surprise

the

the

Belinian

of

the

was made

which ended as usual in

my

the alert, and in the death of

shot

by

the

Before he

outlying

died,

he

guard

confessed

and the Loquia, together with

the Baris of Gondokoro, had united in the general

attack

on the camp on the

21st;

but

that they

CHAP.

OUT OF FASHION.

IX.]

had

lost

many men,

who,

being badly wounded,

had died on the road during the

My

station from

little

fashion,

asleep

like

those

"The Forty

"

at

my

retreat.

date went
to

attack,

sentries

out
as

of

they

were never

head-quarters.

had earned a reputation that increased

their self-respect.
kill

this

and the Baris declined

subsequently declared that

313

Not only were they nearly

sure to

the wily scouts, but patrols at night searched out

the natives, and

fatal

effect.

generally came upon

them with

CHAPTER

X.

DESTRUCTION OF THE SHIR DETACHMENT.

On

July 30, 1871,

was astonished by the

of the tall sheik, Niamboor, with

officer

a.n

and

intend the
fellow

was

shortly

been four nights

had not dared

he

accompanied

He

advisers.

This

corn.

introduced,

He had

story.

of

to

travel

Baris: thus, in the dark, he

from the track.

In

the

had

in the Shir tribe,

cultivation

principal

his

men

six

whom

arrival

to

left

super-

fine-looking

by
told

five

me

of
his

on the road, as

by day, fearing

the

had frequently wandered

daytime he had slept in

the concealment of forests.

He had
to

give

him

of

run this risk in order to be the

me
foul

the

bad news,

play.

All

my

lest

should

soldiers

were

first

suspect
killed,

except the major, Aclimet Rafik, and a corporal

When Abou

Saood had passed his country some

CAUSE OF THE ATTACK.

CHAP. X.]

weeks

since,

sheik,

and had carried

315

had attacked a neighliouring

his people

off a large

number

of cattle,

although he was aware of the presence of a govern-

ment

officer

Saood had sent three of

present to

the officer

the

command, Achmet

in

had

Rafik,

had,

razzia,

and thus

present,

fallen into the snare.

The

visited

my men

under

smarting

natives,

attack,

unprovoked

the

Niamboor, and desired him to send

out of the country, as they were evidently

leagued with

Niamboor
tect

accepted the

actually

cows as a

captured

who, instead of protesting against the

Turk-like,

Abou

with a very small detachment.

them

those

of

Abou

The

Saood.

sheik

and declared that he should pro-

refused,

from me.

until he received further orders

This implicated Niamboor, and the neighbours then

upon the

insisted

sacrifice of

Achmet Rafik and

few soldiers in revenge for their

with a chivalry that

boor,

is

among

declared his determination of sheltering

attacked

and

my

attack
the

at

by

night

soldiers

assisted

neighbouring

liim

in

assistance

of

the

on

the

sohliers.

following

After

sheiks

The

defence.

was repulsed, and he determined

compliment

people

He was

the

the

negroes,

my

communicate with me.

he should

until

Niam-

lost cattle.

rare

day,
a

his

to

return

with

lonir

the

march

316

ISMAILi'A.

many deep

across

[chap. X.

went against

channels, the battle

him, and in a precipitate retreat, the soldiers could

not swim the deep channels like Niamboor's people;

they were accordingly overtaken and

the

loss

of

their

with

killed,

arms and accoutrements, now

in

possession of the natives.

Major Achmet Rafik and a corporal were

they were both

ill,

safe, as

and had therefore not accompanied

Niamboor had futh-

the five soldiers in the attack.

exposed himself to great danger in order to

fully

secure

their protection,

and they were now

in

his

keeping, concealed in a forest about a day's march

from the

On
9

which had been

the following

day

their station.

sent the steamer off at

with Niamboor and twenty men, the moon

P.M.

being

villao;e

The

full.

river

inches, therefore there

a sand-bank.

At

Saood, giving

him

the loss

of

had

risen about four feet six

was no

fear of her touching

the same time

notice

of

his

wrote

to

Abou

responsibility for

the government troops,

caused by his

unprovoked and unjustifiable aggression.

All

been

my

anticipations of successful cultivation

fruitless.

The drought of

a general scarcity.

The months

this year

had caused

of July

and August

should have the heaviest rainfall

expired

with a rainfall of

had

only

July had just

1*13

inch.

The


FOLLY OF THE BLACK COLONEL.

CHAP. X.]

mean temperature had been 71-

a.m.

at

84.

noon,
I

at

317

was very anxious about our supply of

which

would not

ordered

the

of rice,

so

the

until

last

much

troops to

should be

crops

small
ripe

August

Ist

days' rations

receive fifteen

save the

as to

On

longer.

clliurra,

stock of

dhurra

upon the

island.

These were guarded by a company of troops.

extract the following entry from

^'August

2,

1871.

The

my journal

Soudani soldiers are

contented with their rations of dhurra

dis-

and to-day

was addressed by an unreasonable mob, demanding

an increase of corn which does not
people never think

from

voyage

long

stealinof

of

the corn,

These

exist.

to-morrow, and during the

Tewfikeeyah

have

they

been

and drinking merissa heedless of

the future.

"The
blame

black

for

occasions,

the

foolish remark,

made

lieutenant-colonel,

"

the

went across

greater

is

of

to

troops, told Mr.

^^^^

could

they were hungry.'

This

that

'

the

before the soldiers

by

their

own

certain to create, discontent.

to the island to

portion

much

men

myself

work well because

is

he has, upon several

as

2^^^s^^^<^^

and

Agha,

Tayib

discontent,

in the

Higginbotham
not

colonel,

of

the

examine the corn

crop will be ready in

ISMA ILIA

318
about eight

days,

guards,

stealing

are

but

tlie

large

[chap. X.

Baris,

in

quantities

spite of

the

during

the

night.

" The

want

difficulty in

this

and now that

all

terrible

of

corn

cation with

Khartoum

in the Nile, the affair

are

all

is
is

cut off

most

wrote an

Tayib

Lieutenant- Colonel

the

Achmet Eafik and

the

This

Shir.

The natives
absolutely

is

to feed this force.

Eaouf Bey

Agha

remarks in the presence of his

On August

by the obstructions

serious.

is

official letter to

the

is

communi-

direct

thus a powerful force

hostile,

necessary, but the difficulty

" I

country

to caution

against

making

troops.''

steamer

returned,

bringing

the sole surviving soldier from

officer

men

declared his

to

have

been insubordinate, and that they joined the natives

against

his

orders to

make an

attack

upon

their enemies.

Two

and the wife

witnesses, the surviving soldier

Achmet Eafik

of one that was killed, declared that

himself gave

company with

the

men

orders to attack a tribe,

the people of

Niamboor

responsibility for the result,

of failure

My

he

now

in

but fearing

laid

the

onus

upon the insubordination of the men.

people were so obtuse

that

understand the true position of

they could not

affairs.

The harvest

LAZINESS OF THE TROOPS.

CHAP. X.]

was commencing.
upon the

which

500 urdeps

least

had jealously guarded the corn

island,

should have produced

hut the

not wish to see

gather the

harvest, they

that

as

filled,

for a return to

worked

so

fact

Khartoum

heart and

of labouring with

at

and men did

officers

the granaries

would destroy the excuse

thus, instead

319

soul to

that in

hizily,

nine days they only reaped 237 urdeps, or not one

half that was actually upon

mitted the

swarms

natives to

small

of

quantity

by day.

pests do

not

the

nibble

it

They

fields.

by

night,

an

destroyed

birds

per-

and the
incredible

These innumerable and ruinous

sweet

the ground beneath

entire

portion

picking

each seed, neatly

of

steal

consume the
soft

the

is

grain, but they

from

the

joint

out the heart;

thus

strewed with their remnants

of destruction.

had not visited Belinian since the

for

two

reasons.

fying the station

raise

First,
;

the suspicion

we were

among

we had

at

that

in forti-

the Baris
their crops.

fear

about 2,000 acres

our service by a

that I might

Up

to the

acted mainly on the defensive,

and the natives had no

knew

eno^aged

attack,

and, secondly, I did not wish to

come down suddenly upon

present time

first

for their

of dliurra

harvest.

would be

sudden attack on Belinian,

if

ISMAILIA.

320
the troops would

work

the same time

was afraid

ject,

lest

[chap. X.

earnestly to secure

At

it.

mention the sub-

to

some intrigue might destroy the

possibility

of success.

Abou Saood

If

knowledge of

my

my

have destroyed

the

of

at

once

and would

enemies,

Both Abou Saood and

plans.

number

the greater

our

to

possessed a

would

intentions, they

warning

have given

had

people

or his

officers

watching the close of the drama,

were anxiously

as they

imagined

that with the disappearance of supplies, the curtain

would
I

fall

upon the

last

act.

possessed information that w^ould render

dependent of corn

Khartoum,

from

We

would only work honestly.

jected to their attacks.

at

the

my

troops

were at open

had arranged

forts so as to

commencement

country would be

of

my

w^ar

plans to

be ready for a campaign

the

full of corn.

when

harvest,

My

the

two rich harvests

would be Belinian twelve miles distant

fruitful islands

the

in-

and we had been constantly sub-

with the Baris,

complete

if

me

and

the

beyond the mountain Kegiaf, about

sixteen miles south of Gondokoro.

The

latter

would

be easily collected, as the vessels could load at the

islands,

and convey the cargoes down stream

to head-quarters.

direct

INTRIGUES.

CHAP. X.]

321

Everytliing depended upon the officers and men.

Raouf Bey, who commanded the

troops,

was

communication ^dth Abou Saood, who was

in daily
exertinir

himself to the utmost to ruin the expedition

moting discontent, and persuading the

by

officers

pro-

that

they would die of starvation, and that the Baris were

most dangerous enemies, who would exterminate the

weaken the

troops should I

ment
It

even

to

force

form stations in the

by taking a detach-

interior.

was thus pre-arranged by

my own

people that,

in the midst of plenty, the corn should not

if

be collected in any larger quantity than would

to feed the expedition during the return

Gondokoro

to

In that

and

case,

''

El

the expedition would

The

hambd

el

authorities

lUah

"

The country would once more

Abou Saood by
Soudan.
return,
liave

rid

would

piously

(Thanks be to God
fall

!)

into the hands of

would

The Christian would

by an ignominious

of

Abou Saood would have

diplomacy

broken up

of slave-hunting

and remain undisturbed.

got

l)e

contract with the government of the

The good old times

l)een

voyage from

Khartoum.

abandoned.

ejaculate,

suffice

failure.

l)oasted of the success of his

and Allorron and

from the restraint of a

Baris, once

freed

government, would

have

his

fraternised again with their allies the slave-hunters,

VOL.

I.

ISMAILIA.

322

and

kidnap,

pillage,

tx)

[chap. X.

desolate

productive

the

countries of Central Africa.

I determined that the expedition should succeed,

and, with God's help, I would overcome every opposition.

The

had named

it,

Ismailia,

and earthwork, with

My

little

Gondokoro,

were completed.

forts

station

was

as

was protected by a ditch

Ijastions

mounting ten guns.

also fortified

mence a campaign against

thus

whole

the

without fearing for the safety of

On August

or

my

could comBari tribe,

base.

450

30, 1871, I started with a force of

men, with one gun, and one rocket-trough

for Hale's

three-pounder rockets.
I left

station,
I

twenty of the " Forty Thieves

" at

my

little

together with a reinforcement of thirty men.

had ordered the captain of the diahbeeah, upon

which

my

bank and

wife
to

resided,

to

push the vessel

anchor in the stream every night.

The Baris of the Belinian Mountain

provided with guns and

had taken
parties
killed

were well

ammunition, which

they

in various massacres of the slave-traders'

some years

before.

On

one occasion they had

126 of the traders in one day, and had possessed

themselves of their arms, with

ridges.

off the

many

cases of cart-

FAIST ASLEEP.

CHAP. X.]

On

several occasions they

same

parties wdth the

at peace with

murdered
allied

their sheik

had destroyed smaller

and they had never been

result,

Abou Saood

323

had treacherously

since he

and his family.

Recently having

with Abou Saood's friends, the Baris of Gon-

dokoro, against the government, some of the Belinian

had ventured

people

a communication

whom

to trade,

Abou

with

and had established

Saood's

from

people,

they purchased ammunition in exchange

for

tobacco.

Having given

men were

the
at

A.M.,

nor

orders on the previous evening that

to be

was annoyed

men were

Raouf Bey, was

fast asleep,

absent.

This

he had seen

officer

much

his

colonel,

to be roused

by

After some annoying

life.

At

that time, in

th(.'

was a thorough-bred Turk, and

service,

having been through the

also in that of Arabia,

He ought

shared the

The

was not aware that Achmet Rafik was

Crimean war, and

Pacha.

arrived punctually at

and had

started for Belinian.

dark night,

march

This was a breach of discipline that cost

Major Achmet Rafik

delay

head-quarters.

at

for the

to find that neither officers

prepared when

the hour appointed

the sentry.

under arms ready

to

have

known

prevalent feeling

instead of beinpf

on the

alert

of

under Alphas

better,

l>ut

discontent

and

at

his

thus,

post,

Y 2

lie

he

ISMAILIA.

324

[chap. X.

was asleep when the troops started on

their night

march.

When

awakened, he hastily dressed, buckled on his

sword and revolver, and taking a double-barrelled gun

in his

hand he endeavoured

mistook the direction, and

We

to follow the troops, but

lost his

way

in the dark.

arrived at the open valley of Belinian at day-

break, but native scouts

of our approach.

had already given the alarm

There were some hundred villages

situated in the vale

and on the heights

base of the mountain

alono; the

but at this season only the

tops of the huts were visible above the high dhurra,

which was just ripened, although the general harvest

was not yet commenced.

There

is

no covert so much in favour of native

warfare as the high dhurra, which perfectly conceals

their

movements, at the same time that

it is

easily

passed through at speed.

The Bari drums

were

beating

throughout

country, and their horns were sounding in

tions.

Clearing the

way with

skirmishers,

all

the

direc-

we marched

along a good path for about four miles parallel with

the base of the mountain, until
or bottom, which bore the

great numbers.

we

arrived at a plain

marks of

cattle-hoofs in

This spot was about thirteen miles

from head-quarters

at

Gondokoro.

ATTACK ON BELINIAN.

CHAP. X.]

325

There was no dhuiTa cultivation on the

the base of the mountain,

sandy

we thus had a

view of the country.

clear

and we were only

had been driven

to see

them disappearing over the

seemed disposed

From

inclined

abounded

distant high ground.

and

numbers,

large

advance of the troops.

had

perfectly clean, as the cattle

mile

and

in

villages,

hills,

foundations

decayed.

in time

it

was

as

smooth as a s^arden

the position Ave occupied, the country

At

stockades.

broken

The

upwards towards the base of the mountain,

about a

by

in

to dispute the

fed off the grass until

lawn.

off,

collected

The ground was

was poor and

as the soil

cattle

The natives had

near

rioLt,

half
all

distant

this

which were defended

of

the base of the mountain were

composed of huge granite

of

Upon

interval

mountains
all

that

had

the

rocks,

long

since

these strong positions were the

usual stockaded villaoes.

I

ordered the troops to extend in two

lines,

sup-

ported by a reserve with the fieldpiece and rockettrough.

With the

**

Forty Thieves " in the

front,

we

advanced along the plain towards the mountain.

The Baris now opened

villages,

until

fire

upon us from

from which they were driven

no enemy remained

upon the high ground.

to

their

in succession,

oppose us except those

ISMAIL'iA.

326

Our

[chap. X.

was now protected by an exceedingly

riglit

deep ravine, which was a watercourse cut by the

torrents from

the mountain.

accordingly took a

party of the "Forty Thieves," and following along the

edge of the ravine, ascended the slope that led to

Great numbers of

the stockades upon the heights.

had assembled, and were shouting the most

natives

abusive epithets in Arabic until

we

arrived at about

This

a hundred yards from the foremost stockade.

now opened

upon

fire

us,

the natives being concealed

and aiming with their muskets between the

within,

interstices of the upright piles.

My
puff's

now

riflemen
of

smoke

as they issued

understood,

to fight unseen

The

bullets

a soldier by

them

with bush.

my

side
I

was shot through the

wife

of

fleshy

examined him, and saw that the

one of

through the calf of the

him with

enabled

the numerous stockades and

had passed through,

firing.

the

were whistling merrily, and presently

part of the hip.

bullet

at

from the impenetrable

position

their

as

among

hio-h
o rocks clothed

fired

This was just the work that the

ironwood zareebas.
Baris

down and

knelt

leg.

therefore he continued

the

soldiers

was shot

She had accompanied

a small parcel of cooking-pots and food from

Gondokoro that morning, and thus came under

fire.

I"

iiiil

Fir;

!l!l'

."

ASSAULT ON STOCKADES.

CHAP. X.]

The main body was delaying

to the

in the rear, replying

the Baris on the

of

fire

other side of the

had only twenty men with

impassable ravine.

me

Lieutenant Baker.

addition

in

ordered

to

bugler to sound

the

327

therefore

the "assembly,"

as

determined to attack the stockades with the whole

force.

main body

In a few minutes the

formed

the

for

The

attack.

and

bugles

drums

sounded the advance, and the troops, having

several volleys, rushed on at the double

fired

and stormed

This was well executed, and the rush

the position.

was

and

arrived,

unexpected by the Baris, that the stockades

so

Captain

himself

by the

were taken at the point of the bayonet

Morgian

Sherreef^

gallant

manner

was the

first

in

man

distinguishing

which he led

to break

his

company

he

through the gateway.

This attack was something that the Baris did not

comprehend.

They had only been accustomed

face the slave-hunters' irregular companies,

had never seen a charge home with

They now began

to

fire

This

from the snider

officer

and they

the bayonet.

clamber up the rocks and ascend

the mountain with the activity of

sharp

to

rifles

baboons, while a

acted like

a spur

was a Soudaui who had served under Marslial

Bazaine for four ye''^r3 in ^Mexico.

ISM A ILIA.

328

upon

movements.

their

burst over a

number

of the

about 800 yards in our

from the gun now

shell

eaemy who had

collected

This was an unmis-

rear.

We

takable notice to quit.

[chap. x.

set fire to the stockades,

and the Baris having disappeared,

selected a position

for a night's bivouac.

There was a bad supply of water, and we could

muddy mixture which

procure nothing but a

We

strongly of goat?.
calves
flat

and sheep

open

plain, the

the evening set

every

thus,

man was

the

in,

had found a number of

having fixed upon a

men

smelt

collected firewood,

camp

fires

site in

the

and when

were blazing and

well supplied with food.

doubled the sentries for the night, but we

fat

re-

mained undisturbed.
I

as

was very anxious about the major, Achmet

Raouf Bey and the

ofiicers

Rafik,

declared that he would

have certainly endeavoured to follow the troops rather

than run the risk of disobeying
received.

The Baris never take

tlie

orders he

prisoners,

had

and should

they meet him, which would be most probable, his

death was certain.

On

the following morning

ordered an advance

towards the north side of the plain, where

observed
that

a line

commanded

of
a

zareebas

view

of

had

upon elevated ground

the

plain

and

the

CHANGE QUARTERS.

CHAP. X.]

base

of

tlie

329

mountain that we had attacked yes-

terday.

On

arrival

upon the higher ground,

country perfectly

found the

and completely covered with

flat

heavy crops of ripe dhurra, in which the zareebas were

concealed, with the exception of the tops of the huts.

Drums were

beatino-

and horns

in all these

blowing;-

stockades.
I

had

a suspicion

that

stationed sharpshooters

dhurra.

through

the

projectiles

therefore
corn.

in

the

ambush among the high

produced

rush

great

couple

directed

The

might have

Baris

rockets

of

of

these

effect,

as

unknown

they burst

through the stockade, and buzzed and whizzed about

the huts within the defence.

An

eight-pound shell

from the gun now crashed through the stockade and

went

howlino;

dhurra,

until

throuo;h

alonoit

the

deuse

exploded about 500

fields

of

yards in the

rear.

The bugle immediately sounded the advance with

the

bayonet, and the

troops

made a rush forward

through the corn and captured the stockade.

We now

found no

inclosures within

less

tlian six of these

an area of about four

woukl form an admirable

position.

powerful

acres.

These

th'crefore

gave

orders tliat the corn slioukl be immediately cleared

ISMAILIA.

330

away

as to leave

so

posted in

various

[chap. X.

Guards were

an open space.

places

sentries

were placed on

the summits of the tallest huts to keep a good lookout,

while the

remainder of the force

and commenced

down about
I

lateral.

divided,
of

work

we had

sunset

cut

six acres.

which formed a

sort

of quadri-

This officer suggested that the

men might

stockades,

by a Bari

be massacred

all

to

gave orders to Kaouf Bey to divide the troops

four

in

By

clearing.

set

and he projDosed

night-attack

In spite of our successes, the

some dread of the

like sheep or cattle

had a whole-

officers

relieved

that

Baris,

thus

whole force

to inclose the

450 men within one zareeba,

if

me from

all

apprehensions of their erring by an excess of rashness.

I

divided the soldiers of the line in three zareebas,

while

occupied the fourth with Lieutenant Baker

and twenty men of the "Forty Thieves."

Every day was now

passed in

but the soldiers as usual

meantime

the

worked

and

carried

amount gathered by the

a feeling
perceive

among

the

they were

opportunity of

worked badly.

natives

during the night,

filling

collecting

troops.

officers,

corn,

In the

most energetically
off

ten

times the

There was so bad

that

predetermined
our granaries.

it

to

was easy
neglect

to
this

FEMALE FOREIGN MINISTER.

CHAP. X.]

The Baris were excellent

we were

that

diplomatists, and, seeino-

too powerful to resist

women

they sent

to

simply a manoeuvre

treat

to

for

gain

by open

time,

as

force,

This was

peace.

truce they could carry off the corn

as night.

331

during the

by day

as well

always leant toward peace, although the

war had been wantonly forced upon me

thus

we

soon established friendly relations with an old sheik

named

Jarda,

who would have made

She explained just

would

as

from the Belinian

This old fellow had an exceedingly clever

mountain.
sister

about two miles

suit

declared that the

as

her

much

a good foreign minister.

the Belinian politics

of

and

purpose,

women were

all

very

properly

in flivour of the

government, and they would use their influence with

the

men, some of

whom

she

asserted

had very

"hard heads."
Old Jarda, who was about eighty years, and had
sufficient

of

worldly experience to apjDreciate the value

a good counsellor,

ments

to

his sister,

left

the

diplomatic

arrange-

who became extremely

and ran about the country

to collect

the

active,

principal

headmen.

We
in

had many palavers, which as usual

nothing

explanation

but

assurances

that

the

attacks

of

on

goodwill,

ended

and

an

Gondokoro were

332

ISMAILIA.

made by

certain

districts,

were not responsible.

women and

of

these

invisible
I
I

on

alive with baskets,

were seen gliding about in

heads of

the

carrying

natives

that

were

returned to Gondokoro for reinforcements, and

my

200 armed

sailors.

With

wife also accompanied

Belinian.
I

articles

in

in the high grass.

collected

force

meantime thousands

tlie

children were engaged

useful

directions

all

but that Jarda's people

The country seemed

off the corn.

as

In

[chap. X.

We

me

had now 650 men

this additional

to our

my

absence

of

at

to collect the corn.

noticed an extraordinary diminution in

during

camp

only two days,

the crop

but not a

corresponding increase in the store collected by the

troops left under the
I

and a half

thus

commanded, and

if

at

intervals

a very

large

have carried

Nothing

it

of

three

about a mile

of

area

of

corn

was

for

the

natives

to

off.

had

Achmet Eafik

line

the patrols had done their duty,

would have been impossible

as I

Eaouf Bey.

of

had occupied the valley by a

stockaded positions,

it

command

had hoped.

been heard of the missing major,

he had not returned to Gondokoro
I

now

discovered,

native women, that he had been killed

through

the

by the Baris

on the same day that we had arrived at Belinian.

CHAP. X.]

ACHMET BAFIK "STALKED" AND KILLED.

appeared that the unfortunate

It

course for the

his

the

at

him

extreme end of the valley

to the

Having arrived

direction.

This route through

troops.

of the mountain,

foot

had steered

Belinian mountain peak, in the

hope of overtaking the

the forest led

officer

333'

quite

the

at

in

the

\\Tong

nearly dry

bed

of the Belinian river, he sat beneath a tree to rest.

The natives quickly observed him, and stalked him

thouoh
he had been a wild animal.
o

as

appeared that when attacked, he had wounded

It

one native in the

the Baris termed
still

alive

the

women

with

head with
his

revolver

the

bullet

declared

was

" little

his
;

and

in

this

his

swollen

gun," as

man

skull,

as

w^as

which

large

as

pumpkin.
Aclimet Eafik was thus overpowered and

killed,

with the gain to the Baris of his arms and ammunition.

I

immediately started

troops, led

where

plain,

not

by a Bari

my

with

company

of

guide, to the west end of the

officer

yet visited this

off

had

spot,

been

killed.

had

but the guilty natives

were wide awake, and they had concealed the arms,

which

had

tolerably open,

cealed

by the

liojx'd

to

and was
trees.

recover.
full

Tlie

forest

was

of small villages con-

spread

out

my men

and

ISMAILIA.

334
drove

regularly

upon a herd

the

of

[chap. X.

we

Suddenly

covert.

and a number

cattle

who had imagined themselves

came
natives

of

secure in the depths

of the forest.

them on horseback,

immediately dashed into

accompanied by Lieutenant Baker, Colonel Abd-el-

and followed by the

Kader, and Monsoor,

The

the

seeing

cattle,

Thieves," had gone off

the forest

of the

rifles.

herd

with

manage the

one who has

Bari

and

pace,

was

only four

appear

to

we

arrived

Belinian

troops,

river on to the

especially

great

of

tremendous
:

thus

in

we

order to

satisfaction

the

and

we

for

the

first

up,

checked

the

pace,

quietly waited

excellent runners.

of "

managed

my

to

our horses, and

men

forest

No

broad bed (nearly dry) of

This

who were

few

and we

at the

river.

reined up

when

herd,

blown

were spurring hard through the

overtake the

horses.

and

at

get

work

the activity

idea of

They go along

never

difiicult

African,

have an

animals.

stampede through

had been quickened

It

hunted

not

can

cattle,

these

in a regular

" Forty

the

of

shii-ts

this precipitate flight

by the report
to

red

troops.

The Forty
to

open

drive
plain.

"

the

were the
cattle

across

the

Hardly had we arrived

on the level ground, when they started

off in

another

CAPTURE OF CATTLE.

CHAP. X.]

335

stampede, and kept us going for about three miles,

though we were following hounds.

as

With a horse on each

we

herd

the

movements.

managed

length

at

and

flank

we

Fortunately

in

rear of

control

to

had

the

their

running

been

towards our camp.

A
of

herd

of

members, which are usually followed by the

its

Upon

others.

that

appeared

wild

creatures

upon

direct

to

refused

With

skilful

the

with the

disciplined cows,

the

exception

riding

very

my

powerful

charge

him
in

like

tlir

for

named

and

driving thoroughly.
the

off at full

fast,

"

speed along

and myself.

about a quarter of a

"

and

The Pig

two un-

exceedingly vicious,

bay on the open

best horse,

having

assistance.

of the

by Abd-el-Kader

and being hard pressed

mile, she turned to

render

to

and white cow was

black

troops,

the herd was secured with-

which started

followed

plain,

These

our cattle kraal

enter

came out

management

kraal,

movements.

their
to

were two cows

camp, when the

at the

arrival

there

this occasion

seen our approach,

in

generally depends upon a few

cattle

"

plain.

was

The Pig," who was

understood

cattle-

accordingly avoided

of the infuriated cow, which dashed at

wild

sliouldor

buffiilo.

witli

immediately shot her

revolver,

wliich

had

no

ISMA ILiA.

336
other

than

effect

who was

Abd-el-Kader,

nut

"

called

Jamoos

remained perfectly
him,

turn

to

received

the

(the

still

charge

towards

her

Colonel

riding a large, clumsy chest-

"

and Abd-el-Kader

[chap. X.

when

upon

horse

cow rushed

the

instead

full

This

buffalo).

at

of firing

his

rifle,

his

leg,

into

left

which the cow drove her sharp horn, making a serious

w^ound nearly through the

calf.

cow through the head, but

great pain and

Upon

quite

could

they had

came

165.

This

been

difii-

The Baris had seen that nothing

capture.

escape

was in

disabled.

counting our cattle we found

Our new
sister,

then shot the

Abd-el-Kader

was a very small herd, but

cult to

from the horses.

old

ally,

to visit us

and immediately asked

Jarda,

with his

upon hearing
for

calf,

diplomatic

of our success,

which

gave

him.
Jarda's sister
of

now informed me

the mountain wislied for

permission to visit me.

appeared.

He was

a bad expression.

and he

were

On

peace,

the sheik

and

requested

the following day he

a fine powerful fellow, but with

I

had already heard that Jarda

not friends, therefore

this introduction

that

looked upon

with suspicion.

After the usual

declaration of friendship

by the

MAKE

CHAP. X.]

uew

FEIENDS.

and an apology

sheik,

was demanded

a sheep

We now

came

Belinian

become

to

had

Baris

had been invited

supplied.

also

appeared that the

been called

upon by Allorron

the

at

allies,

was

then

It

business.

to

was given

fat calf

this

misdemeanours,

for past

presents were requested.

337

same time

Loquia

that

in the general attack that

to join

had been made upon Gondokoro.

Loquia had hesitated, but had at length joined
Belinian,

as

government

the

who were

ported as great cowards

far

known

amount

to

re-

afraid to venture

The many thousand

from their head-quarters.

cattle

had been

troops

be at Gondokoro, and the fabulous

and

of stores

material,

at

length

tempted

the Loquia to join forces.

On

the

night

had

that Loquia

were wounded

(who

attack,

many men

lost

di-o])ped

the route through

Loquia

the

of

now appeared

it

killed

on the way,

Belinian.

others

and died on
enraged

This loss so

had

he

considered that

who

been

only

used as a cat's-paw), that he was determined not

to

return

venged

home empty-handed.

himself

about

2,000

which

he

upon

head of

retunicd

to

He

his

allies,

cattle

from

his

therefore

and

captured

Belinian,

mountains

two

distant.

VOL.

I.

re-

with
days'

IHMAILIA.

338

On

the

following

clay

[cuAi-. X.

my

interview with

the

sheik of the mountain, " AVani," I received information

w^hich

real

sheik,

made me

suspect that he was not the

and that some

Once more

was intended.

by

waited upon

was

trick

with his female minister of foreign

together with

tain,
I

now

number

of

of the

moun-

headmen.

The Belinian Baris declared

the government, and proposed to join

make a grand

all

their forces

with the

conjunction

in

attack,

allegiance to

upon a country about sixteen miles

troops,

com-

received a direct proposal to form a general

alliance.

to

in

affairs,

pany with Wani, the reputed sheik

Jarda,

old

They described

governed by a sheik named Lokko.

this country as

addition

abounding in corn, and sesame, in

great

to

distant,

wealth

in

cattle.

They

also

declared that they had already sent spies into the

land,

who had

returned

harvest was over, and

the granaries

all

with

the

news that the

the grain was stowed in

thus the troops would have no trouble

in collecting the corn.

They
attack,

also

promised that

they would

collect

if
all

would make the

their

transport the corn to head-quarters

thus the

soldiers

would have no

at

women and
Gondokoro

fatigue.

At the

same time they described the people of Lokko

as

cu AP.

INTENDED THEA CHEli Y.

X. ]

very powerful, and declared that

nearly

now

all

my

as

force,

all

my camp

my

my

suspicions.

military

arrangements

was intended

It

company with the pretended

was

as

draw

to

greater portion of the troops to a distance,

off the

in

Beliuian,

at

friends

This kind regard for

confirmed

should require

very few troops would be

necessary to j^rotect

we were

339

made on Lokko, but

be

really to

The attack

allies.

my

troops

were also to be overpowered when unsuspectingly

returning by a night march

from

captured

cattle

with

the

Lokko would then

my

the hands of Belinian, and

The

spoil.

into

fall

camp, protected by

a weak force, was to be surprised.

pretended

enter

to

into

this

scheme,

but

expressed a doubt whether they would perform their

of the engagement,

part

Lokko

to

cally they
I

Gondokoro.

This they declared

would do without

proposed,

that

enormous quantity
to

and convey the corn from

if

emphati-

failing.

they could convey such

so great

Gondokoro, they should

a distance from
first

Lokko

prove their fidelity

by transporting the few hundred urdeps from

Belinian

camp

assist

us

their

trouble,

in

to

this

an

head-quarters.

If

they

our

would

manner, they should be paid for

and

should then

Ijelievc

in

their

ISMAILIA.

340

On

sincerity.

should be

other

the

hand,

they refused,

if

and that

decline to transport the corn from Lokko,

every individual would merely scramble for

and return

own

his

We

they would also

that

certain

perfectly

[chap. X.

spoil,

Belinian with a load of plunder for

to

use.

should then be

Lokko

at

left

in

foolish

position.

much

After

they promised to

discussion,

commencing operations

the corn to Gondokoro before

Lokko

against

manner,

but

had not the

that they

slightest

their

scheme had been found

Although

Africans

treacherous,

they

self-sacrifice

to

scheme.
in

If

their

the

have

enable

the

plan,

not

them

Belinians

tribes,

their

patience

to

or

carry out a perfect

had wished

to

succeed

they should have willingly

carried

all

my

have estabhshed

experience

with

African

have observed this want of organization

plans.

only think
at a loss

In

that

cunning and

sufficient

corn to Gondokoro, and thus

confidence.

felt

out.

notoriously

are

intention

They

performing any such contract.

of

in

once perceived by their

at

carry

of

Like ignorant chess-players, they

the

first

when suddenly

Of course

few moves,

and thus are

checked.

had no intention of attacking Lokko,

TEE DISCOVERY.

CHAP. X.]

as

341

had no complaint against him

who

a Bari,

he was a chief

well to

the Austrian missionaries.

liad

and although

always behaved
This portion of

instead of being sixteen miles,

the Bari tribe,

was

at least thirty miles distant to the north of Belinian,

on the White Nile,

where

the

Lokko, was known to the traders as "

Oom

and was situated

sheik,

Niekla."

The following
explain

the

and

feeling

journal will at once

The natives had

of affairs.

state

their chance,

my

extracts from

that

their

''

Sepiemher 22, 1871.

Abou Saood

us.

my
"

No

arrived

treachery had

me

been discovered, they never came to

again

natives will

with forty

lost

come near

men

to

ask

permission that he might start for Khartoum.

Septemher 23. - The natives, disappointed in their

trick, will

On

have nothing to say to us."

the 25th September the natives treacherously

attacked an unarmed soldier.

This

man had

strayed

a few hundred yards from the camp, against orders,

to searcli

accosted
soldier

for

him

wild thyme.
l)y

advanced

native

met him and

the welcome " Adotto julio."

close,

when

the

treacherous

immediately shot an arrow into him.

The
Bari

This passed

through his ann with such force that more than half
tlie

length of the arrow protruded on the other aide.

ISMAILIA.

342

The

and the

soldier shouted for help,

saw others running

as he

On

the same day, two

[chap. X.

Ba.ri

decamped

the rescue.

to

women were

attacked

when

they went to fetch water, and their clothes were stolen

by the

natives.

On September

27, an artilleryman

went

to the river

about 400 yards distant to fetch water, alone.

This

The thoughtless

fellow

was quite contrary

left

his

to orders.

musket on the bank while he descended

to

the sandy bed, through which trickled a clear stream.

He was watched by

natives

who were

concealed by the high dhurra.

lying in wait,

These rascals suddenly

rushed out and speared him to death.

The man

screamed so loudly before he died, that a number of

soldiers

rushed to his assistance from the camp, but

they were only in time to bring in his body.

This was at 4 p.m., and

who were hovering about on

I

observed natives armed,

all sides.

sounded the bugle, and attacked them without

delay, destroying several stockades.

to

come

to

In spite of

It is impossible

any terms with such treacherous

my

kindness and wish to do good and

to benefit their country, they requite

murder of any unarmed man

"September
mountain.

people.

29.

Having

whom

me

with the

they can

attacked a position

fired

several

rockets

find.

on

the

from the

RENEWAL OF

CHAP. X.]

base, into

ca

HOSTILITIES.

350

station about

feet above,

advance from two

the troops to

343
ordered

My men

sides.

scrambled quickly up the rocks and destroyed the

station.

"September

30.

few days

purposely burnt several granaries

threatened to
interpreters,

saying,

'

they should

soldiers

of corn,

and

my

Bari

report

the act

to me,

we

shall all

go back

If the corn is finished,

Khartoum.'

to

full

Sherroom and Morgian,

kill

if

the

ago,

"

This proves that the old spirit against the expedition

still

The men take

exists.

their cue from

the

officers.

In spite of the general discontent,

could place

the greatest reliance upon the " Forty Thieves

their officers.

the

This

active service.

little

"

and

corps performed nearly

all

Their red shirts had become so

well known, that the colour was enough to keep the

natives at a distance

now
by

but although the Baris were

afraid to risk a stand-up fight, they troubled us

their stealthy tactics.

where they were concealed.

over the country
others

where

to

They were spread

some hidden

behind bushes.

in the jzrass
river,

was impossible

It

Their

say
all

in the tall dhurra,

favourite

place

was

and scattered bush on the banks of the

they

lay

in

wait

for

any unlucky

ISMAIL!A.

344

whose disobedience

soldier

tempt his
It

orders

of

him

led

to

fate.

seemed almost
people,

these

of

[chap. x.

Patrols were of

as impossible to clear the

Africa from snakes.

to purge

as
little

country

service, as the natives lay as

closely concealed as hares in form.

determined at length to meet them with their

own

tactics.

ambush. ...

They occupied
would

also

neighbourhood in

the

ambush.

lay in

This

system of ambuscade employed so generally by the

had created a wholesome alarm among the

Baris
troops,

to

which tended

appreciate

should

They now began

orders that no one should stray

the

alone from the

to obedience.

camp, and that the watering party

At

of a powerful guard.

consist

time, the surprises that

the same

had occurred had somewhat

shaken their confidence.

I called

the " Forty Thieves

" together.

These

fine

fellows always took a great interest in their work.

I

explained

against

a battle
against

to

them the

of fighting

difficulty

an enemy whose tactics would not permit

;

at

the same time,

them somewhat upon

by establishing a

series

should

their

own

of sharpshooters

occupy the neighbourhood, and render

for the Baris to

now

it

remain in the country.

operate

principle

who

should

impossible

AMBUSCADES.

CHAP. X.]

My
those

corps was

now

complete, as

who had remained

forty-eight

added

officers

had brought up

Gondokoro

at

To

and men.

men from

fifty selected

345

had thus

this force

now

the line, and marched

them away from camp.

Upon

arrival

broad bed of the

the

at

river,

The natives generally

explained to them the plan.

approached unperceived by means of this winding

trench, \Ahich entirely concealed them.

The banks

of this river were in most places nearly perpendicular,

and were about nine

feet deep.

sixty or seventy paces broad,

The

river

was about

and was nearly

dry, as

a very shallow stream flowed through the centre of

bed.

its

If the

high banks were occupied for a distance of

by small

several miles

cealed

in

high

parties of sharpshooters con-

dhurra,

behind an

or

ant-hill,

or

crouched in high grass or bush, or in anything that

would serve
for

bed,

the

as a protection,

Baris

to

it

would be impossible

approach by the favourite river-

without being exposed to a deadly

fire

from

the long line of sentries.

I

therefore

beyond

my

selected

line

position

commencing

of posts, and entirely

commanding

the river-bed for a distance of several miles.

soldiers

far

were delighted with the plan suggested.

The
I

ISMAIL!A.

346
arranged

that

[chap. x.

on

daylight

before

following

the

morning, they should occupy the positions assigned

in parties of

two men

or three if muskets,

if sniders,

hundred paces

at intervals of one

thus the country

would be protected by a chain of guards perfectly

concealed from view.

gave

orders

to

the

officers

two stockades to carry out

this

the neighbourhood, so that

it

for

any enemy

to

commanding the

system throughout

would be impossible

move without

into

an

drank

my

falling

ambuscade.

At daybreak
coffee

my

was up, and

and smoked the morning

as usual
pipe.

At

that time

wife and I occupied a tent outside the stockade,

beneath the most mag-nificent tamarind-tree that

have ever

From

seen.

view of the country.

two miles

On
fine

the

distant,

east

For

On

rose

the

spot

the

we had

clear

west of the plain,

mountain of Belinian.

was park-like land interspersed with

ornamental

winded.

this

timber,

through

which the river

about a hundred acres around the

camp, the high dhurra had been cut down

therefore

the view was uninterrupted.

Everything was perfectly

the

birds

still

at this early

were only beginning to

vultures were just lazily assembling

chirp,

hour

and the

to see if they

"

ciiAr. X.]

THE BITER

BIT."

347

could discover one more morsel at the slaugliteringplace of the preceding day.

No

would

one

neighbourhood

have suspected that the entire

was occupied

l)y

sharpshooters,

for

a distance of some miles.

The wily Baris had delighted

like

of inflicting

now commenced
in

small but

villages, for the

The sun

their

leopard-

which had given them several

tactics,

tunities

in

rose,

loss

upon

tlie

parties

They

troops.

and started

their daily occuj^ation,

numerous

oj)por-

from their

distant

purpose of waylaying any stragglers.

and with

my

telescope

observed

natives about half a mile distant on the other side of

the river

sometimes these people disappeared in the

high dliurra;

every

now and then they

then again they were

lost

to

view.

reappeared;

They were

apj)roaching for the j)urpose of occupying

stealthily

their positions

for

concealment.

These wily Baris

imagined that we were, as usual, keeping on the

alert

around the camp, but they had no idea

tliat

the leopard was himself so near the hidden snare.

Suddenly a puff of white smoke shot up from the

bright green grass

bed

then

L-ifl^iS,

left.

anotlier,

on the other side of the

followed

by the

saw natives running

river-

reports of

at full

two

speed to the

Another and another puff of smoke issued from

ISMAILIA.

848

[chap. X.

a different quarter, as the astonished Baris in their

hasty retreat stumbled over the next ambuscade.

now saw

but chased

a native running like a deer,

good deerhound by one of the " Forty Thieves."

like a

The native was

by

so hard pressed

who was encumbered with

this

clothes,

good runner,

rifle,

and am-

munition, that he had been obliged to throw away

his

bow and

arrows,

now gained upon

He

his lance.

the soldier slightly, but they were

not five paces apart

That

high dhurra.

together with

when they disappeared

was Ali Nedjar,

soldier

in the

of the

" Forty Thieves," the strongest man, the best shot,

and the

fleetest

runner of the

Presently

force.

heard a shot.

Throughout that day occasional shots were heard

in every conceivable quarter.

the

country,

upon
or

tump

all

in position

count,

of

the

my

the

men, and

was challenged from a bush,

of high grass, showing that the

evening,

the

took a walk through

attended by a few of

several occasions I

When

men were

and well concealed.

bugle

each

the

recalled

had

some

sharpshooters

adventure

and the whole camp rejoiced

manoeuvre

it

was

case

in the

of

to

in
re-

success

''the

l)iter

bit."

The men now looked forward

to this emplojmient,

ALI NEDJAR.

CHAP. X.]

349

and starting at daybreak, they took

their supply of

food for the day.

Some

of

Bongo

a broad-shouldered,

thighs like

him

see

clever at this kind

Nedjar.

Ali

especially

service,

of

them were very

run,

grasshopper.

and

and speed with which

It

the prize races, in which

in

my

a pleasure

Wiis

the

sometimes indulged

lover of the girls, and a great dancer

ing to
ultra

Afiican
of a

he

reputation,

Added

man.

good

willing,

competitors

all

warm

Ali Nedjar was a good soldier, a

men.

to

to

immense power

passed

he

native

muscular fellow, with

mtness

to

was

Ali

of

was

this,

thus, accord-

ne lylus

the

he was a

very

and more courageous than a

fellow,

lion.

had several

"

men

of

Nedjar's

The Forty," among which were the

Fenitch

Agha

Suachli,

condemned

to be

shot),

it

Ali

may

of such

be

easily

Ferritch

stamp in

tlirec

Ferritch

Ajoke (formerly

and Ferritch Baggara

and

imagined that a corps composed

material was

an awkward enemy

for

the

Baris.

After a few days, the ground became almost too

hot for the enemy.

from

which

direct the

they

They now ascended high

could

movements

of

survey the
their

scouts.

country
Ali

trees,

and

Nedjar

ISMAIL!A.

350
was too much

He had

[chap. x.

them even with

for

observed them

rooks

like

The

this precaution.

grew

at a

great distance.

high

dhurra, and while the wily

tree

in a hirge tree
in

a field of

Baris were look-

ing out from their lofty post, expecting to discover

us in the distance, the

more wily Ali Nedjar

still

had crept on hands and knees through the

and was actually beneath the

The report of a snider

the

fall

rifle

of one of their party,

corn,

tree

under their

was the

feet,

first

and

intima-

tion they received of the soldier's presence.

This plan
successful,

occupying the

of

and in a short time the

abandoned the neighbourhood.

wards, that

it

was

was most

country

Baris

They confessed

earth

was

full

of

soldiers

sprang up out of the ground beneath their

thirty-five

enemy had been

the
to

had been

them

should

visit

koro

my

thus

main

after-

useless to attempt to fight with

such people, as the

We

entirely

days at

feet.

Belinian,

entirely subdued.

who

and

explained

determination of paying them another

we
if

ever be disturbed again at

Gondo-

they wished for peace, they must re-

quiet.

The

soldiers

and

sailors,

including

of the camp, were employed for

veying

tlie

corn

to

all

the

some days

head-quarters.

If

our

women
in con-

people

END OF THE BELINIAN CAMPAIGN.

CHAr. X.]

had worked

well,

twelve months.

men had

we should have had

Instead of which, a

actually delivered

the

in

351

a supply for
force of

650

magazine only

150 urdeps, or about 670 bushels.

I

have naturally omitted

many

military incidents,

and have only given an outline of the Belinian

campaign, but

The

sides.

soldiers

to the natives,

fidence

truth

the

moral

effect

had learnt

was good on

all

their ov^n superiority

and had gained experience and con-

and the Baris of Belinian had learnt the

and

in future

head-quarters.

we should

sleep

in

peace at

CHAPTER XL
SPIRIT OF DISAFFECTION.

The amount

by the

of corn collected

in the magazines,

consumption at
There was a

was only

troops,

sufficient for

now

two months'

full rations.

spirit of general

disaffection

among

the officers and troops.

Although

had worked with them

culty and led

them invariably

a general dislike, not to

me

to success, there

was

personalty, but to the

system of rigid discipline that

all

in every diffi-

was determined

at

hazards to enforce, and to the general object of

the expedition.

Neither

officers

men

nor

should forbid

during open

war,

women and

children,

rules,

It

understand why,

could

who,

by

all

the

capture

of

Mohammedan

were lawful prizes

was not slave-hunting

they were simple pris-

DEISIRE FOR SLAVE-TRADING.

CHAP. XI.]

oners

hands
the

war

of

and

was

it

and

trouble

God had

tliat

delivered

hard

case

into

that,

which

difficulties

353
their

after

had

been

all

en-

they should be debarred from taking a

countered,

few prisoners.
This was the argument of the

had

which,

would have

expedition

the

yielded,

military force, to

quickly relapsed into the original slave-hunting of the

White

Nile,

officers in

the

Saood,

The

disobedience

of

the

during

station

voyage.

the

would quickly spring up between the

trade

Khedive's

direct

have

to suppress.

having purchased 126 slaves secretly from

slave-hunters'

slave

was bound

described

already

the

which

and

officers

unless

enforced

would

expedition

slave market

for the

of

slave-hunters

the

the

discipline.

strictest

reception

of

government

represent

Abou

slaves

captured

by the Khartoum companies.

It

tion

may

reform

obedience

enforce

to

caused

protection

had not

the

VOL.

I.

to

of

of
tlie

the

to

my

determina-

newly-instituted

and

disgust.

had established afforded

all,

interfered

property

command

that

disappointment

bitter

The government
and

imagined,

easily be

whether

freeman or

justice
slave.

with the slaves that had been

officers

prior

expedition

to

my

these

taking

remained
A A

the
in

ISMAILIA.

354
original

tlieir

ment,

position,

they

that

Avith

could

[chap.

not

improve-

simple

tlie

be

}:i,

witli

ill-treated

impunity.

poor

Abyssinian boy, about eleven years

little

of age, had one day crawled through the high river

grass to escape the observation of

the sentries, and

suddenly appeared on the deck of

my

He was

claim protection.

and had

been

who was

and

freedom,

his

had an excellent

Although
on

effect in

regretted

sides,

all

and

was

The

immediately

favour of the slaves, but

natural

the

reform

force.

ill

not

and

help

position

witli

admitting,

that

inevitable

which

which ex-

feeling

considered the

could

sudden

of

master,

was a warnino; that

a slave

was very unpopular among the

this

his

release.

This forfeiture of

patience

by

blood,

a captain in the Egyptian regiment.

granted his

isted

with

streaming

shamefully ill-used

demanded

boy

diahbeeali tc

consecpience

tlireatened

so

many

interests.

At the same
out

my

pressed

was

therefore

was

determined to

mission without shrinking

sequences.

trade

time,

and

ordered to

that

slave

from any con-

suppress

trade

carry

the

should be

slave
suj?-

trusted that time would eventually

ABSOLUTE JUSTICE.

CHAP. XI.]

me

give

my

355

improved a control over the

so

might succeed in

people, tliat I

yet banish

feelings

my

reform and

ill-will.

all

In the midst of anxieties, there was one

my

in

satisfaction

of

j)ositiou.

lastino;

had the power

to

execute absolute justice, and I wished for no other

freemen,

my

among

reputation

people,

and even the

were attended to
bestowed

by

this

slaves

or

than the confidence of pure equity to be

At

obtained without delay.

sible,

whether

hours

complaints

of

acces-

children

little

important

appeals.

hoped

conduct to be able at lengtli

of

and

incor^iorate myself with the expedition,

the affection of

was

the same attention that was

"v\'ith

upon more
line

all

my

people

to

to

gain

without which, success

would be impossible.

The

terriljle

was a great

them

absence of discipline

Taka,

at

murdered
atrocities,

their

the

the

Since

greatly.

division

but

difficulty,

in

the

ofticers,

Egyptian

among the

troops

had already improved

mutiny
}-ear

and
officers

of

1865,

black

tlie

when they

many

committed

had

always

dis-

Bey,

that

trusted them.

was

I
if

would

told

black

l)y

soldier

probably

the

were

coloni'l,

!Raouf

puni.shed,

mutiny should

lie

comrades

his

be

a
.\

general

ISMAI LiA.

356
favourite.

The

the

result

of

the

officers.

At

extreme

want

was

discipline

of

on the part

vigour

of

of the Bari war, the conduct

of the troops, both black

I

laxity
of

commencement

the

[chap. XI.

and white, was

disgraceful.

have seen them, in the presence of the enemy,

rush

pillage

race

village

the

officers

into
:

indiscriminate

men

mingled with their

Several soldiers had

plunder.

for

and commence

in a

been killed

by the natives upon such occasions, when separated

from the
assured

rest

me

The

colonel

had

was impossible to prevent

this

in search of spoil.

that

it

sacking of villages, as

it

was the reward that the

troops expected after a victory.

Fortunately

were

and the

My
faithful

"Forty Thieves,"

corps, the

me, which

enabled

lieutenant-colonel,

me

to

act

Abd-el-Kader,

Monsoor, were ready to carry out

orders on the spot.

When
I

model

always with

decidedly.

my

my

caught the troops in disorderly

had the principal actors seized and

laid

pillage,

down on

the instant in the centre of the men, and administered

fifty

apiece with a stout bamboo.

The Soudani

soldiers

quickly perceived that the

reins were tighter than formerly

and

followed up

the principle of stern punishment until I obtained

HIGID DISCIPLINE.

CHAP. XI.]

357

an absolute control, without the slightest attempt

at resistance to
I

had learnt

my

authority.

like the

to

Soudanis

there was an

untiring energy in their

movements very unlike the

Egyptians

required

become

to

they

increase of

The

always

glorious

opportunity of

Central

Africa,

severe orders

upon

and a

prisoners.

forward

looked

pre-

to

the

procuring a few slaves in

they

although

manner

the

burning,

much

they would have

good old times of plunder and

had

officers

had much improved by the

force

discipline,

officers

define

European

troops.

first-rate

Although the

ferred the

only

them

obtaining

of

not

could

exactly

thus

my

this subject caused a serious heart-

up

give

to

desii-e

so

barren

an

expedition.

The
by

station

a ditch

was now complete, and well

was the picture of

the finest
of the

neatness.

Egyptian cotton

knoll

closely cut,

My own

and earthwork.

was highly

little

fortified

station

had two acres of

(galleen).

cultivated,

Every inch
the lawn

was

and the diahbeeah, which was our home,

lay snugly alongside the bank, close to which was

little

garden.

summer-house,
This

was a

surrounded

little

gem

in the middle of savage Africa.

by a

proHfic

of civilization

My

set

"Forty Thieves"

358

LSMAILIA.

were

gentlemen in

j)erfeet

comparison

with

The sanitary arrangements

line regiments.

station were

[chap. xi.

good

the

of the

there was very little sickness, at

the same time that upwards of

men

400

sufi'erecl

from ulcerated legs at head-quarters.

Those who

Our domestics were much improved.

had been slaves liberated by me from the

vessels at Tewfikeeyah,

had become
some nice

had learnt

very useful.

their duties,

hold duties, in addition to half a

who were

boys,

all

admirable discipline.
sinian boy,

freedom.

neatly

trained

Among

a pretty

dozen excellent

and kept

clothed,

in

was the Abys-

these

"Amarn," who had

He was

had

wife

and

seventeen or eighteen to house-

of

girls

My

traders'

lately received his

little lad,

and

his

brown

complexion looked quite light in cornparison with

his

showed

The

Abyssinian

blood

in strong contrast to the negro type

around

comrades.

coal-black

him, and he was far superior in intelligence to any

of the Central Africans.

The

girls

were under old Karka, who had been

with us throughout our former journey.

woman was very proud

to purchase her

good old

soul,

because

This old

had given 12

freedom in Khartoum.

but wonderfully fond of

She was a
fine clothes

and on great occasions she always turned out in

"

THE HEART OF OLD KARKA.

CHAP. XI.]

clouds of

to

broad,

flat

face

consciousness of

fringe,

was amusing

It

her emerge from her hut in full

see

her

359

snowy muslin with red edges and

young Abyssinian beauty.

like

costume,

beaming with smiles

in

happy

universal admiration.

Old Karka was a

duenna

of

sort

the morals of the younger

and

girls,

they did not become too " fast "

even the heart of Karka beat

but

hio-h

watch over

to

to

that

sec

I believe that

when

a certain

corporal of the gallant " Forty Thieves " passed by.

Karka was

(Jld

of food,

actually accused of sending presents

carefully cooked

by her own hands,

to the

house of this same corporal, Abdullah, thus appealing

stomach,

to his

heart, in African

w^hich

is

the

com'tship.

direct

road to

The younger

the

and

gu-ls

the boys of the establishment exclaimed, " Mashallah

Karka

(Jld

station

one,

at

all

the other,
I

who would have

was curious

It

my

believed

it ?

to observe the difference

and that of head-quarters

at

between

Gondokoro

was contentment and good order

in

discontent and disorder.

had constant complaints from Mr. Higginbotham

that

my

orders,

men

for

public

that

works,

he should be supplied with

were

disobeyed,

and

that

every obstacle was thrown in his w^ay.

My

Englishmen had been,

as

usual, very Indus-

360

[chap. XI.

liSMAIL'iA.

and having erected the iron magazines, they

trioiis,

were now engaged in building a flat-bottomed barge

to assist in transporting corn from the islands south

They had not been

of Kegiaf.

best health,

in the

but they nevertheless

continued to work

energy and

were a delightful contrast to

spirit that

with an

the sluggishness and apathy of the Egyptians

my

proud of

I felt

and

countrymen.

Immediately on

my

return from Belinian,

had

given orders that thirty vessels should be prepared

to return

to

Khartoum.

had not returned

required
station,

the

all

and

in

sailors

these vessels
to

assist

in

(October) the Nile was at

therefore I

hoped there would be no

the return voyage to

and the stream in

earlier,

them

for

corn

w^as

difficulty

favour.

Had

should have been obliged

a four months'

extremely

The

sailors

in

vessels,

returned
to victual

voyage, at a time

scarce.

assisted us in our work,

when

had now

and they would not require

provisions for more than two months, as

was

At

maximum,

its

Khartoum with empty

their

the

building

collecting corn for the troops.

this season

them

as

earlier,

the

Nile

full.

Every arrangement that

most carefully considered.

had made had been

There can be no doubt

CUT OFF FROM THE WOULD.

CHAP. XI.]

that

White

the

the

to

This adverse

Nile.

expedition

among many

laid the seeds of fatal complaints

The

others.

men's

now

There was even

the onset.

by

have

to

ever

for

Styx,

river

wild

in

were enemies,

and

reinforce-

We

appeared

the bayonet, or to
If the

that

lie

food

down and

have had no

come the

at

was

where

it

the

point

of

die.
fine,

difficulty, as I

navigable river

scruples

of

my

could have quickly over-

by

officers

Khedive

to the world almost as absolutely as

all

in former years, I believe I should

of their conduct to the

in the

secluded

own, where

and

spirits,

White Nile had been the

had known

become

our

of

procure

to

and, having

world,

have

to

kind

evil

like

necessary either

known

the

forsaken

passed the

Khartoum,

from

river

at

a feeling of despair

of the possibility of receiving supplies

ments

broken

had been

hearts

cutting

in

many men, and

through the obstructions had killed

had

was

had given a

river

The work and fatigue

check.

serious

enemy

greatest

tlie

361

direct

reports

but we were

lost

though quartered

moon.

had

when

proposed,

in

Cairo,

that

steamers

should run monthly between Khartoum and Gondokoro, with the i>ost

former

dnvs

this

and

wmdd

all

necessary supplies.

have

been

matter

In
of

ISMAILIA.

3G2
and

course,

tlie

frio-litful

Soudan

fact of a connection ^vitli tlie

government would
the

[chap. xr.

suj^ported

liave

discipline

but

obstructions of the river rendered com-

munication impossible, except by a regular expedition

in large force.

My

heart felt heavy sometimes

o^\Ti

nothing.

but

could easily appreciate the feelings of

whose hearts were not actually in

others,

said

f\ivour of

the enterprize.

Nevertheless

commanded, and no matter what

the obstacles might be, I had only one duty.

new and sad calamity had attacked

well-known African horse-sickness broke

spite

of

action

costiveness,
eyes,

of

the

swellino-

heart,

the

of

which extended rapidly

stiffness

horses

In

The

languor,

of

of

urine,

above

forehead
the

out.

died.

scantiness

to

The

the

whole head

and swelling of the neck, eyes prominent

and bloodshot, running

matter

my

commenced by an appearance

disease

rapid

every precaution,

us.

in

at the nose of foul greenish

extraordinary

quantities

convulsions,

death.

My favourite horse,
anxiously watched

"The Pig," was

him

daily,

attacked.

and one morning

fancied that the usual hollow above the eyes

rather

full.

This fatal

had

symptom was

too

was

true

CHAP.

OUTBREAK OF

XI.]

He

"wariiino-.
tlie

was
I

one

tbrouoh

r)asscd

complaint, and

HOBSE-SICKxVESS.

on

dit'il

tlie

3G3

usual

stao-es

of

same day that he

tlie

attacked.

first

had only seven horses remaining out of twenty-

had

that

me

with

started

from

In

Cairo.

addition to these, were two horses belonoino- to the

officers.

The

of the

fact

horses dying added to the

un-

favourable impression abeady in the minds of the

and

officers

In addition to this calamity,

troops.

the drought at Gondokoro had been unprecedented.

The native

cultivation,

aU perished on the

and that of the

light,

sandy

Rain had fallen in the vicinity

locality

clouds

very

is

are

subject

attracted

by

to

soil

troops,

of Gondokoro.

but this unfortunate

droughts,

as

the rain-

neighbouring mountains,

The

where they expend themselves.

rich

the river islands will always insure a crop,

roots penetrate to a depth

from the

As

river.

had worked

gather

it

of

as the

described,

tlic

troops

badly, that one half of the island

so

was

they

soil

where they obtain moisture

already

crop had been carried

the harvest

had

in

away

their

Ijy Ijirds.

Thus,

when

hands, they neglected

now complained

to

that nothing would

succeed in Gondokoro.

Abou Saood had not gone

to

Khartoum, there-


ISMAIL'iA.

3G4
fore

[chap. XI.

journey to Belinian to request

his

my

per-

mission to depart, was only a ruse for some purpose

at present
I

shall

unknown.

now

verhatwi from

extract

the entry upon October 13, 1871

"October' 13, Friday.

As

at last.

The

journal

truth has hurst out

have long expected,

my

the evil spirit

has brooded mischief."

Late

Bey

night

last

inclosing

two others

addressed

officers,

colonels

the

Raouf

one from the regimental

from

lieutenant-

respective

their

to

other

a letter from

received

the

lieutenant-colonels,

inclosing the letters, and seconding the declaration

with
the

a
full

The

colonel.

supported the

petitions

The burden

complaint.

same request

embodying the

petition

from

letter

to

Raouf Bey

and seconded the

of this lengthy

general

and care-

fully-arranged correspondence, w^as the determination

of the officers

and

return

officer

and troops

to

to

abandon the expedition

The

Khartoum.

seals

of

every

were attached, with the exception of those

belonging to the " Forty Thieves."

I

noticed that although there were three separate

letters

were

upon
all

several

written

in

immense

sheets of paper, they

the same

handwriting.

This

proved that they were the result of dictation from

CONSPIRACY OF THE OFFICERS.

CHAP. XI.]

365

a superior, and I at once traced the conspiracy to

the

Eaouf Bey, the friend of Abou Saood.

colonel,

had been pre-arranged

It

without

fashion,

in this

a hint of such an intention

havinor been

me, that

sign a round-robin to

the officers should

lieutenant-colonels

their

o-iven

the latter should

support

and forward the round-robin, together with a

from themselves
this

general

opinion to

the

and

me,

letter

should then forward

colonel

expression

irresistible

together

to

of

pul:)lic

with a long epistle from

himself, explaining the absolute necessity of a general

abandonment

of

the

and a return

expedition,

to

Khartoum.
I

find these

from the
return

words

officers

to

my

in

journal

declare, that

Khartoum,

as

-"

These

letters

the expedition must

there

no

is

corn

in the

country, and the soldiers would die of starvation.

"

Although these people complain of want, they

actually

purchased

126 slaves during the journey

from Tewfikeeyah, thus

adding

to

the

number

mouths, and at the same time acting against

of

my

positive orders.

"
as

They say
yet they

there

is

no corn in the country, but

know nothing

with the exception of Belinian

midst

of

plenty they will

the

of
;

not

neighbourhood,

and when
collect

it.

in the

Thus

ISMAIL'iA.

366
the Khedive's

ofhcers

and

expedition,

[chap. XI.

would actually abandon the

forsake

immense amount

the

merchandize, &c., which would

stores,

of

into the

fall

hands of the natives.

"By

my

man

God, not a

orders

go back,

Saood,

success.

and he would

game

of

have revelled in his

make no remarks upon

Raouf Bey, but the chain

not.

the Khedive.''

officers' letters to

This conspiracy would have played the

Abou

by

except

no matter whether they mutiny or

forward the

I shall

shall

the conduct of

of facts

Avill

speak for

themselves.

For the
letters,

first

half hour after the receipt of these

was disgusted through every bone.

appeared as though

What

could

treacherous
I

had

be

all

done

material

hope of success was gone.

Higginbotham was

wretched

such

with

rode
ill,

up
as

rej^ly

to

to the letters

head-quarters

were

'

sent

any

Nevertheless

all

stand by the

risk.

Lieutenant Baker,

It will be interesting, in the

that was

Mr.
the

were unanimous in their resolve to

at

some

of

also

Englishmen and Mr. Marcopolo.

expedition

and

would not condescend a

received.

It

iken of this report.

R.N.,

Appendix,

to

Raouf

Bey,

to observe the notice

with instructions not to mention the

convey the following order

" Colonel
to

but to

letters,

Raouf Bey, with

six

be under arms at 2 a.m.,

to

companies of troops,
await

me

at head-

cjuarters."

Mr. Hioforinbotham had the entire charo-e of the

vessels.

ordered three

noggurs to be prepared,

together with one small diahbeeah, to pass the troop.s

across the river at 2 a.m.

All

provisions.

the

and

troops
I

sailors

were

had determined

Bari islands,

south

to

to

take two days'

push straight for

of Rcgiaf

Should

hill.

be able to procure the supply of corn that

it

would

at once

The Baris
been

allied

charge

of

expected,

checkmate the conspiracy.

of Regiaf

and south of that

hill

had

with those of Belinian, and had taken

their

great

herds

during

months

the

campaign in that country.

We

started punctually at the time appointed,

sailed for about seven miles

this

season

We now

could

be

up the

navigated without

crossed over to the

wind being

foul, the soldiers

hills,

west bank,

which at
difficulty.

and the

turned out and hauled

the vessels against the stream

The country was

river,

and

l)y

perfectly lovely.

tow-ropes.

The

higli,

rock}-

a few miles distant, sloped in beautiful undula-

ISMAIL IA.

368
of open,

tions

have rendered the

locality unfit for a large station.

a sign of friendship

among

The natives poured out

river

but there was not

the numerous population.

of

with unmistakable actions of

The

various

their

brandishing their spears,

leaping,

bank.

but the absence of forest would

were innumerable

villages

river's

xu

ornamental trees were dotted

fine

about the surface

The

land to the

park-like

Here and there

[chap,

stations

and gesticulating

hostility.

was about 500 yards wide, and

in several

places the dull, grey heads of rocks protruded from the

We

surface.

therefore continued to

case of a sudden attack.

to protect the flank in

natives evidently intended to oppose us.

always gave the Baris a

them

to

make

the

fair

hostile

first

ceeded to forcible measures.

chance,

move

and allowed
before I pro-

therefore landed

advanced a few hundred paces inland.

many

vessels

the bank, with a party marching parallel

close to

The

tow the

and

There were

curious rocks in this neighbourhood, some of

which were clean blocks of granite

in masses of forty

or fifty feet high, piled roughly as though arranged

artificially.

The

natives,

towards this

we

arrived

as

we advanced, moved gradually

shelter,

within

in
a

which they squatted until

hundred and twenty

paces.

"

CHAP. XI.]

START FOB REGIAF.

My

now conversed with

interpreter

that

had not come

and that

of unthrashed dhurra

full

tliem,

saying

to fight, but to purchase corn,

would give them a cow

369

this

for each googoo

was the usual

price

when the natives traded among themselves.

In reply to this polite assurance, they used most
"

insulting language, and said

us your

cattle,

therefore,

By

be

This

had advanced

power, but

always the

is

savages.

always

the advantaoje

an attack.

for

my

in

grasp,

of

They were com-

as

resisted the temptation.

their

this

civil replies

own convenience
I

have had them

occasion,

when a

directed volley would have created a terrible

but

witli

This gave them

insults.

hundred times

upon

treating

in

and returned

selectinor

them every opportunity

aff'orded

and coarse

to their abusive

l)y force

witli the interpreter

disadvantage

for peaceful arrangements,

not offer

hundred yards of them.

my

pletely in

them

to take

Khartoum

to

off"

this time I

to within a

we intend

as

You need

welleff'ect

have always been patient, and allowed them

to strike the first llow.

I

now

explained to them

them the instance

my

position.

of their friends at Belinian,

begged tliem to avoid a similar necessity.

have corn.
VOT>.

I.

gave

and

must

Their granaries were overflowing, while

B B

ISMA I LI A.

370

miue were empty.

addition to
dealing,

all

[chap. XI.

had many tliousand

kinds of merchandize.

which would give

cattle

in

desired fair

satisfaction to all parties.

derisive reply, coupled with

They simply shouted a

most disgusting and insulting language.

" AVon't

rock

the

you have a
"

always at

said

my

my

elbow.

shot,

shadow,

my men

the great disappointment of

time

explained

to

Monsoor,

declined the

who was

invitation,

at the

to

same

pig-headed Baris

these

on

at that fellow

sir,

that

they must accept the consequences of their conduct.

I

ordered the bugler to sound the assembly.

With

readiness the troops left

great

the vessels,

and having formed, they marched up the slope with

drums and

bugles.

and

once

more

that'

the

now made

addressed

a display of force,

men were hungry

.and

would take

corn gratis unless they would agree to

The natives

sullenly

we

distance,

the night,
It

and contempt
distinguished

were
if

sell a j^ortion.

their whistles,

a peculiar shrill cry which

words

their

withdrew to a greater distance,

and commenced blowing

in derision

explaining

the natives,

threat

we dared

to

is

used by them generally

of
as
to

and making

an enemy.
they

The

increased

exterminate us

last

their

during

remain in their country.

appeared hopeless to attempt a peaceful com-

CHAP.

ABUNDANCE OF

XI.]

munication with the Baris.

country to

south

the

COBN.
This portion

the slave-traders than any other,

examine some of the

Havinsj extended the

about half a mile,

of

]iill

was

the

immensely

with

Kegiaf,

villages,

men

so as to cover

in line

orders

strict

that

no soldier

but they were simply to examine

the villages as they passed through,

numerous wicker googoos

contained

by tapping the

size

their

These neat

full.

generally

bushels, but they varied in

with

granaries

or

hands, to prove whether they were

granaries

now determined

ordered the advance towards the

to enter a hut

little

of

and the natives were more dreaded by

populous,

to

was

Kegiaf

of

S7l

about

forty

some would have

held more than double that quantity.

The natives watched us

from

all

points.

In this manner

or thirty villages,
fifteen

The

numbers

we examined twenty

each of which contained at least

googoos, nearly

oi corn.

in considerable

of

all

which were quite

entire country Avas overflowing

dhurra and sesamd.

were innumerable

As

far as the

vilhiges,

were stores of abundance,

all

l^y

full

with

eye could reach

of which

the samples

we knew

we had

already examined.

From

the luG^h land of

upon a long

Rcfjiilf,

series of rich islands

we looked down
in

the river, that

B B 2

"

""

ISMAIL'iA.

372

[chap. XI.

appeared to be nothing but a line of granaries, as

I

could distinguish with the telescope the numerous

clumps of googoos and small villages that fringed

welcome

the fertile banks of these

I

when the manna and

as the Israelites,

felt

quails appeared in the desert.

delivered

"

the

the

Thank God, we were

from the danger of famine, and we had

Promised Land.

at length arrived at the

The

retreats.

Forty Thieves

officers, all

were in

"

whom had

of

Even

ecstasies.

signed the declaration

"that there was no corn in the country, therefore

they must return to Khartoum," looked delighted,

and exclaimed " Mashallah

I felt

the

but outwardly

had

for I

relief,

took

a matter of course.

it

suffered

much

anxiety

very coolly, and quite as

explained to the officers and

men, that of course they were ignorant of the country,

but that

them
black

if

they relied upon me,

(" lushallah
officers

into

")

now began

when

enough

for

march
"

at

should always lead

land

The

of plenty.

to exclaim, " Wah-Illai

Pacha knows the country well

believed

Who

the

would have

Gondokoro that there was corn

couple

years

of

within

day's

couple of years " cried another

!

eat this corn in ten years

"

we

couldn't

CHANGE OF FEELING.

CHAP. XI.]

"

We

might

drink

merissa

373

day

every

in

this

country," exclaimed others of the soldiers.

who have been

Sailors

danger of shipwreck,

in

with a rocky shore close on the lee in a heav}^ gale,

may

understand the

wind

of

in the

relief offered

moment

by a sudden

shift

Such experi-

of extremity.

ence alone can allow an appreciation of the mental

reaction after a great strain of anxiety that

some time

suffered for

A
me

certain

past.

knowledge of human nature determined

without a moment's

improve,

to

had

opportunity, while the

delay,

the

troops were under the

first

impulse of astonishment and delight.

I

particular,
*'

myself to the

addressed

and

and explained

now being

able to increase

I felt in

their rations of corn, that

At the same time

had been reduced by

had been much

the small collection they had

I

in

to the line generally,

the pleasure that

at Belinian.

"Forty Thieves"

knew

dissatisfied

made from

half.

with

the harvest

the country, and this was the

only true granary that admitted of river transport

to Gondokoro.

If

they neglected this opportunity,

the rations would again be reduced

account

whatever

Khartoum
could

of

present

any

should

officers or

a medical

but upon no

permit the

return to

men, except those who

certificate

of chronic bad

374

ISMAIL'iA.

health.

[chap. XI.

should thus get rid of the useless mouths,

which would

men from

relieve the strong

who

of gathering corn to feed the weak,

the

work

could not

perform their share of the labour."

concluded by recommending them

God, and to set to work with good

marched

by

my men

their inhabitants,

to

"to thank

will."

deserted

several villages,

which

occupied in force, and

anchored the vessels close to the bank beneath them.

Having sent

for

than to give

the

This melancholy

and

usual,

Dante's

Raouf Bey,

his

orders

officer

necessary

souls,

other remark,
the

for

night.

looked more miserable than

reminded

expression

damned

made no

as

me

illustrated

of one of

by Gustave

Dore.

The sun sank,

twenty-four hours.
I

was not very

having foraged,
he termed

pumpkin
dish
flour

it,

and
I

had not tasted food

my wife,
my good

was without

particular,

and

for

therefore

Monsoor

produced some pumpkin soup,

as

which was composed of a very watery

boiled in water without

The next

salt.

was the very simple native luxury of dhurra

boiled

into

a thick

porridge.

hungry and very happy, thus

was very

ate the plain fare

with a good appetite.

Monsoor had made a

fire ^vith

dry cattle-dung, and

OCCUPY THE COUNTRY.

CHAP. XI.]

375

spread a native mat on the ground, close to the smoke,

upon which
allow me.

couhl sleep,

I
T

if

tlie

lay as close to the

mosquitoes would

smoke

as possible,

with a comfortahlc log of wood for a pillow, and pondered over the events of the day, feeling very thankful

change of circumstances, and making plans for

for the

the

morrow

No
than

until I fell asleep.

sooner had the bugles sounded the morning

was up and

take a

company

the islands.

instructed

off.

Eaouf Bey

of troops with the vessels,

At

the same time, I

call,

to

and occupy

marched through the

country to the south, and having passed about three

hours in exploration,
positions,

my men

and divided

tenant-Colonel
stations

formed two stations in excellent

equally under Lieu-

Achmet and Major AbduHah.

These

were about a mile apart, upon high ground,

and commanded a view of Raouf Bey's

vessels, that

were already anchored at the island about a mile and

a half below them.
triangle, in the

my

three

these arrano-ements

positions, with

command,

and prepared

start

to

and

estab-

the necessary instructions

to the officers in

dingy.

positions formed a

very heart of the greatest abundance.

Having concluded
lished

The

for

returned to the river,

Gondokoro

in

the

little

did not wisli to take a large vessel, therefore

ordered Raouf Bey to

fill

the noggurs with corn as

376'

ISMAIL'iA.

[chap. XI.

them

rapidly as possible, and to start

to

Gondokoro.

all full,

and

off Avlien full

The granaries on the

banks

close to the

were

islands

therefore the vessels

lay alongside, as though in a dock, and could load

with great

ease.

dingy with two boatmen to row,

I started in the

accompanied by Monsoor and two

soldiers of

"The

Forty."

The stream ran

thus,

at three miles

with good pulling,

and a half per hour

we reached

head-quarters in

one hour and thirty-two minutes, a distance of about

ten miles and a half.
I believe it is

carry

common

to

The

good news.

human

nature to love to

of the

sight

little

approaching Gondokoro alone, had given

kinds of surmises, and when

crowd of

officers,

standing in

soldiers,

immediately recounted

to all

reached the shore, a

and women were

sailors,

expectation upon

rise

dingy

the

cliff.

My men

all particulars.

Great was the joy of the English party at the

news

of our success.

and the Egyptian

This flew through the station,

ofiicers

and

soldiers slunk

away

whereas the black wives of the Soudani regiment were

delighted, as they did not wish to go to

These

women were

slaves that I

they always imagined that

if

had

Khartoum.

liberated,

and

they should arrive at

CHAP.

RETURN TO GONDOKORO.

XI.]

Khartoum,

was of

tliey

service

would be

"Forty Thieves"
their arrival at

me.

to
I

In

influence

conversation with

my

Khartoum, the government might not

The Soudanis

many wives
happy

are always

a wife and plenty to eat and drink

Africa

home

had suggested, that perhaps on

permit them to retain so

ment.

This

sold.

377

was preferable

their

to

in

the regi-

if

they have

therefore Central

taste,

where they

could enjoy domestic bliss with a young wife, instead of sitting in the sultry barracks of
as

Khartoum

melancholy bachelors.

now determined

work

to devote

of collecting corn.

myself specially

therefore placed

to the
all

my

luggage in the magazine, cleared out the diahbeeah,

and towed her up stream from

to

head-quarters,

ready

to

start

my

little

on the

station

following-

day.

On

17th October

the island at 4 p.m.

the vessels that

had

started at G a.m.,

There

and reached

found Kaouf Bey, and

left in his

charge.

He had only

occupied one island, and the natives were hard at

work carrying
south.

On
koro,

off their

corn from the islands to the

immediately sent troops to take possession.

18th
with

really sick

October

sent

Raouf Bey

orders to send off to

to

Khartoum

Goudoall

the

and incapable, but uj>ou no account to

ISMAIL!A.

378
permit any

man

[chap. xi.

to return unless lie

was hopelessly

invalided.

On

13tli

October, having noticed that the stream

brought down numerous stems of dhurra,

concluded

that cultivated islands existed further up the river.

Lieutenant Baker to

I therefore instructed

explore

same time he was

at the

up and

sail

to take possession

should such islands be discovered.

On

the dingy returned with a letter

21st

"The
an

who

Baker,

Lieutenant

driven out the enemy, and

Forty,"

rich

island,

had been

had, with only ten

in

corn, further south.

way by

attacked on her

had shot arrows,

all

immediately started

which had

of

with

my

forcements, and united with

had now

large

three

fertility of the soil

was confined

the centre was

crops,

around the

little

rein-

The

The

cultivation
islands,

as

soil

produced the heaviest

villages,

full

throughout the

that

were stationed

islands.

Having worked
numerous

who

in the w^et season, but the

and the granaries were

very numerous

and

possession.

rim or sides of the

extreme richness of the

The dingy

Lieutenant Baker.
in

of

occupied

the Baris,

diahbeeah

islands

swampy

men

fallen short.

was extraordinary.

to the

from

vessels

for twelve days,

during which time

had enlivened the

river

by passing

ATTACK ON MAJOR ABDULLAH.

CHAP. XI.]

to

and

with corn, between our

laden

heavily

fro

371)

granaries and Gondokoro, I received notice from the

mainland that the work of the two

Achmet

Lieutenant-Colonel

and was waiting

for boats to

Abdullah had shipped

was waiting

Major

and

all

under

Abdullah

Achmet had thrashed out

was concluded.
corn,

stations

convey

all

it;

his

and

that he had collected, and

for orders.

I sent instructions, that

Abdullah should march his

detachment along the mainland, towards the south,

and occupy the

my

opposite
open,

on the high land, exactly

villages

The country was

vessels.

like a fine park,

in long,

which terminated in rocky

beautifully

rolling undulations,

hills,

about four or

five

miles from the river.

On 24th

having loaded a

Octolier,

line of vessels

that lay alongside the

island

by an

was amusing myself, together

with

artificial

in

the

At about 4.30
distance,

and

tachment,

where

Lieutenant Baker,

swarmed

by the

quay,

shooting ducks,

neighbouring

p.m.

snugly as though

which

ponds and swamps.

heard rapid

file-firing

in the

concluded that ^lajor Al)dullah's de-

that

was hourly expected, was attacked

natives.

my

in

as

I at

once returned to the diahbeeah,

wife was stationed on the high poop-deck,

having a good view of a very pretty

little

engagement.

ISMAILIA.

380

The troops were about a mile

steadily on the

march according

[chap. XI,

distant,
to

my

and while

instructions,

they were suddenly attacked by the natives in great

force.

This was a

fair

stand-up fight in the open.

The big drums and horns were sounding throughout

the country, and the natives were pouring from

all

directions to the battle.

The white uniforms

of the soldiers formed a strong

contrast to the black figures of the naked Baris

we could

see the affair distinctly.

We could

thus

also hear

the orders given by bugle.

Major Abdullah had prudently secured

his rear

by

the occupation of one of the small villages, fortified by

a hedge of impenetrable euphorbia.

out skii'mishers in

and

supported by the force that

flanked, but entirely surrounded

heavy

of ninety men.
fire,

in all

never before saw them make such a

good fight upon the open ground.

ment

then threw

The natives were yelling

held the village.

directions,

line,

He

They not only outAbdullah's

detach-

The troops were keeping up a

which did not

aj^pear

to

produce any

decided result, as the natives thronged to the fight

and advanced

close

up

to the fire of the soldiers,

whom

they attacked with bows and arrows.

I

ordered our solitary fieldpiece to be dismounted,

and placed

in the large rowing-boat, together with a

REPULSE OF THE ENEMY.

CHAP. XI.]

381

rocket-trough, and the requisite ammunition, in readiness to support Abdullah with a flank attack

the natives,

by

As our

sary.

crossing the river, should

it

upon

be neces-

vessels ^Yere in close view, I waited for

the signal by bugle should Abdullah require assistance.

I

had only twenty-two men

"
of the " Forty Thieves

with me, together with the eight artillerymen belong-

The remainder

ing to the gun.

of "

The Forty

" were

holding the second island, about four miles in our

dark,

Just before

giving

way

noticed that the

Baris were

they had evidently suSered some

which caused a sudden

retreat.

in iiursuit.

firino;

loss,

heard the bugle

sound "the advance," and we could

advancing^ and

rear.

see the troops

The Baris ceased

blowing their horns, and collected in dense bodies

from the troops, who had halted

at a great distance

and now held the

position.

Only occasional shots were now

sun

having

darkness

set,

gradually

and the

fired,

dissolved

the

view.
I fully

expected that the Baris would renew the

knew

attack during the night, but I

wns

safe

in

his

strong position

that Abdullah

within

village,

surrounded by the high and dense hedge of

phorbia, whose
protection

thick,

against

fleshy branches are

arrows.

ordered

the

the

eu-

best

boat

ISMAILIA.

:382

[chap. XI.

with the gun to remain in readiness, so as to start

moment's notice should we hear

at a

durino'
o the

nio-ht.

should then be able to land

o renewed

iirino-

them unexpectedly on the

the gun, and take

flank

with case shot.

Morning broke without any night alarm.

filled

the

the

vessels

island,

with

my

therefore

and

force,

there

were

middle of the

over

cross

to

awkward sand-banks

some

It

river.

rounding the head of

channel

determined

meet the detachment under

to

pass up stream between

corn upon

of the

last

This was not easy to accomphsh,

Major Abdullah.
as

the

's^'ith

had

about

the

in

was therefore necessary

two

and then, by

islands,

point,

to

to

descend through

hundred yards wide between

the western island and the mainland.

about an hour, and we dropped

This occupied

do^^Ti the

channel and

took up an excellent position against a high shore

From

that formed a convenient landing-place.

point

the land

rose

rapidly,

and the

cntu'e

this

land-

scape was covered with villages abounding in corn.

The natives appeared

to

have deserted the country.

Having given the necessary

.shot

gun,

and,

orders,

took

my

accompanied by Lieutenant Baker,

Monsoor, and two soldiers of " The Forty

"

walked

along the river's bank towards the village occupied

CHAP.

THE POSITION EVACUATED.

XI.]

383

by Major Abdullah's detachment, who

might have found a large quantity of

imagined

which

corn,

accounted for their delay in commencing the morning

march.

were great numbers of ducks and geese

There

on the

bank

river's

thus

we walked

as

towards

Abdullah's village, al)0ut a mile and a half distant,

we made

We

a toleraljle bag.

had

at length

arrived within half a mile

the village, which was situated

about 600 yards from the

number

upon high gTound,

when

river,

noticed a

of people issuing from the village carrying

large baskets

" The

upon

then- heads.

have

soldiers

remarked Monsoor
the

of

found

" they

plenty

of

carrying

arc

corn,"

it

from

googoos."

My

eyes were better than Monsoor 's.

perceived

that

the

thus

people

at once

employed

were

Baris

were

"We

only

five

guns,

now

separated

from

our vessels by about a mile, and the troops under

Major

Abdullah

had

evidently

evacuated

their

position.

AVhere upon earth had they gone

reason
flank,

(Certainly

we had

the

river

and

for

what

on our right

but we might have been attacked and cut

oft'

ISMAILIA.

384
from our

vessels,

[chap. xr.

had the Baris the pluck

to

assume

the offensive.

was time

It

to believe that

plished the

to retreat, but as I wished the Baris

we

felt

move very

we accom-

quite at our ease,

leisurely,

and

strolled quietly

homewards, shooting ducks and snipe as we walked

along.

The moment
a party

in

Mohammed
down

the

ment,

that

I arrived at the vessels, I

the steamer's large boat, under Captain

of the

Deii,

and

river,

to

" Forty Thieves,"

Abdullah's

recall

must have retreated

miles per hour

for

The current ran

reason.

ceivable

despatched

at

row

detach-

some

incon-

nearly four

thus the boat would be

to

sure to

overtake them.
I

was exceedingly annoyed.

men had

evidently

been

force of ninety

by

cowed

their engage-

ment with the natives on the previous evening, and

had

retreated

position, instead

upon

me

of joining

At the same time

a mile

Lieutenant-Colonel

my

vessels

and a half distant

Achmet's

according to orders.

had been in sight only

I

was thus

a small party of thirty men, while ninety

left

with

men had

fallen back.

This was an example of the utter helplessness of

the officers and

men when

left

to

themselves.

If

ABDULLAH RECALLED.

CHAP.

XI.]

the

natives

had repeated the

385
they would

attack,

most probably have got into dire confusion.

Having

Forty," and,

in order to

During the march

amusement

meet the de-

Mohammed

tachment on their return, when recalled by

as this

The

accompanied by Lieutenant Baker,

marched along the bank

Deii.

of "

men

started the boat, I took ten

continued to shoot ducks,

would deceive

the

natives re-

specting the retreat of Major Abdullah, which might

then be attributed to some other cause than

In about an hour,

distinguished a

sail

round the point of Gebel (Mount) Regiaf.

was

fair,

and she quickly ran up the stream.

down

the

river

to

recall

coming-

The wind

discovered that she was towing the boat that

sent

fear.

now
had

Abdullah's detach-

ment.

Upon

lior

near approach,

hailed the vessel and

ordered her to land the troo})S (with which she was

crowded) upon the west shore.

In a short time. Major AbduUali and his gallant

company had landed and formed

His
.had

in line.

excuse for the precipitate retreat which

commenced

at day-break

was,

that

a renewed attack, and he was

sliort

<>f

He had

to

therefore

station occupied

VOL.

T.

by

determined

fall

Lieutenaiit-C\)lnii('l

he

he

feared

ammunition.
l>aek

on the

Aehmet.
C C

ISM A ILIA.

386

He appeared

[chap. xr.

have forgotten that

to

could have

lie

communicated with me by bugle.

I

of

inspected the men's pouches, and found that most

them had eighteen

minmium

while the
is

twenty rounds of

or

cartridge,

contained eleven rounds

what the major considered a short supply

of

munition for a march of a mile and a half

beautiful open country to

He

and

which

his

their

troops

themselves

to

same

time

killed

twenty

vessels.

the

extreme bravery in the attack,

had

either

the

am-

alono-

overwhelming number of

described the

natives,

my

this

killed

troops

Baris,

or

under

any

without

repelled

At the

wounded.
his

loss

command had

whose bodies he had himself

counted.

now

as

ordered them

to

advance to the

wished to examine the position.

at the

sjjot

where the battle had taken

Upon

village,

arrival

place, there

were a number of vultures settled in various spots

where the ground was marked with blood, and the

cleanly-picked skeleton of a man, lying close to the

euphorbia hedge, showed that the Baris had really

come

to close quarters.

The natives had

carried off their dead, with

the

exception of the body that had been cleaned by the

vultures

this

must have been

stranoer

who had

MILITARY ARRANGEMENTS.

CHAP. XI.]

no

friends,

as the

387

Baris are very j^articular in the

interment of their people.

I

now marched my men

along the high

ground

towards the south, and examined the numerous habitations, until I arrived at a little

six villages,
I

of which were full of corn.

all

Major Abdullah and

left

orders to collect
villages,

and

station, after

to

colony comprising

all

his

detachment,

Here
with

the dhurra from the neisjlibourinor

form a central depot at his present

which, the corn could be thrashed out

and

carried to the vessels.

I stationed

the

bank exactly opposite

his position, about half a

a noggur

by

mile distant.

The natives had abandoned the neighbourhood

and hundreds of

villages

remained without an

in-

habitant.

On

3rd November,

sent off vessels heavily laden

with corn to Gondokoro, under the

command

of Lieu-

tenant Baker, vath. instructions that the detachment

under Lieutenant-Colonel Achmet slioidd join

soon as

possiljle,

once be sent to

On

and that empty

my

4th November,

vessels should at

sent fifteen of the " Forty

I

had discovered large

quantities of corn in the villages that

undisturbed.

as

corn depot.

Thieves" to the south, where

now

me

To

arrive

at

had been

these

until

villages,

c c 2

it

388

was necessary

ISMAILIA.

[ciiAr. xi.

to pass over very high ground,

obscured them from

when on

our view

which

the diah-

beeah.

My men
a nice

had

built themselves huts,

camp on the

little

my

the sjDot where

My

alongside.

and had formed

hard, stony bank, close to

diahbeeah and other vessels lay

horses were picketed in the centre,

and we had transported and erected a great number

of granaries,

which

corn, to await the

had

filled

with cleanly-thrashed

arrival of the

return vessels from

G ondokoro.
was

superintending

my

camp, when

arrangements

the

attention

the

of

was attracted by exceed-

ingly steady firing in single shots at a distance, in

the

direction

Forty."

by

taken

my

Nothing could be

small

seen,

party of

owing

"

The

to the high

o-round on the south.

immediately ordered

by Monsoor and

my

horse,

three soldiers of

and accompanied
"

The Forty "

rode at a trot towards the direction of the

firing.

a small guard with the boats, as nearly

all

had

left

the

men were

absent in the

interior

collectino:

the

dhurra.
After

riding for

about a mile and a half

high ground covered with

of

which

had

fine turf,

lieautiful

over

from the summit

view of the undulating

CHAP. XI

GENERA L A TTA CK.

country before me,

through

the

distance,

with

high

my

" Forty "

upon the summits of the

party,

after the

flowing

little

the

who were taking long

shots at the negroes

most approved method of target

on

sentries

the

in

found the remainder of

practice.

but

aj^peared that they Ijeen suddenly attacked,

It

as sentries

huts.

the

where

village,

mounted

tallest

advance of this position.

Nile

mountains in

came suddenly upon a

observed two of

my

White

the

and

valley,

389

house-tops

had

given timely

warning.

There could not liave been a more suitable country

for

rifle-practice,

almost devoid of
lations

were

as

was

it

The

trees.

intersected

swelling

fine,

deep

with

at right angles to the river,

and

completely open

which

undu-

rocky ravines

after

heavy rains

brought down the torrents from the mountains.

My

on

arrival

attended only

the

summit,

on

white horse,

by Monsoor and three

was

soldiers,

a signal for a great blowing of horns aud l)eating of

(Ininis.

seen

in

Immense numbers
parts of the

all

eagerly from

tlieir

view before

villages,

quarter, evidently bent

natives

of

aud

upon

(o

bo

Tliey ran

us.

collected

a,

were

from

fight with

my

ever>little

party.
I

ordered

my men

to

cease

firinor,

as

they were

ISMAIL!A.

8 DO

ammunition

wasting

tlieir

ing

prestige

tlic

of the

[ruAr. xi.

and

uselessly,

destroy-

by missing

rifles

long

at

ranges.

ordered a general advance in open order, about

four yards apart

men

in scarlet uniform,

covered a line

with the

This front,

about seventy-six paces.

of

men

thus twenty

made

a tolerable show.

rode at the head on a very beautiful Arab, " Greedy

Grey," that was the most perfect of
I

had

brought

speed, beauty,

Egypt

from

and temper.

and would stand the

fire

all

excelling

He was
of

the horses
breed,

in

very powerful

heavy guns without

flinching.

My

little

company marched forward

in quick time.

This was a signal for a chorus of yells upon

the

bio;

drums sounded louder than

before,

all sides

and the

horns of the Baris bellowed in every direction.

numbers

Great
their

bows

of

natives

now advanced with

and arrows, gesticulating and

leaping

from side to side in their usual manner, so as to

prevent the possibility of a steady aim.

As
I

yet,

they were about 600 yards distant, and

continued the march forward as though no enemy

were

present.

As

we descended

marched up the next

natives

retired

incline,

over the

next

and

ravine

found

that

undulation.

the

Their

FEIGNED RETREAT.

CHAP. XI.]

line

391

and a quarter,

of front occupied about a mile

we occupied

while

marched

Havino^

most eighty

at the

about a mile without

and finding that the

shot,

paces.
firino;

invariably

natives

fell

back as we advanced, at the same time that they

kept the same interval between
derstood

their

the sun would set

was

tention

forward

us

would reduce the power of the

then be able to surround

power

our

force

little

once uno'clock

five

an hour, and their in-

within

draw

to

at

was now

It

tactics.

us,

darkness

until

They would

rifles.

and very possibly over-

us,

during

our

retreat

to the

vessels in the dark.

I

halted

my

Baris' dods^e.

manner

we

men, and
I

now

should

quickly up the next

the

enemy with

explained

them the

to

ordered the retreat after this

hurry down-hill
undulation, so

the idea of

and march

as to

deceive

precipitate retreat.

This would induce an advance on their side.

Baris
if

would be certain

they supposed
It

was

my

we were

intention

undulation where

to

to

my men

The

follow us at full speed

afraid of them.

rapidly

cross

would

for a

the

first

few minutes

be out of view of the enemy, and there to conceal

tbem

in a deserted village

our advance.

which

had noticed during

This would be an ambush that would

ISMAILIA.

392
take the

by

Baris

we had passed ahead

that

come near the

The order

my

men,

that

my

to

would imagine

tliey

they would therefore

the " right about "

a keen

took

was

interest

given,

the hill

horse was forced into a jog-trot.

now

the

of

followed

us

enemy, who as
with

and

the plan,

in

down

march

precipitate a

so

the savage yells

pected,

as

village.

avIio

commenced

off

surprise,

[cHAF. XI.

heard

had ex-

the hope of cutting

our retreat to the vessels.

We

crossed the dry, rocky bed of the torrent in the

bottom, and ascended the hill-face rapidly.

back, I saw the natives running at
suit.

They began

full

sight of us, as

we

speed in pur-

to descend the hill just as

summit of the high ground

crossed the

Looking

we had

thus they lost

quickly concealed ourselves behind

the huts and granaries of a deserted village.

hid

my

horse behind a hut, and the men, having surrounded

the position, crouched low on the ground behind the

most convenient

cover.

Unfortunately, the natives,

ground

on

perceived

our

right

flank

who were on
as

we

the high

faced

the snare, and endeavoured to

about,

give

the

alarm by blowing upon their whistles of antelope's

horn.

This was

either

misunderstood,

or

unheeded bv

THE BED SHEIK.

CHAP. XI.]

the

enemy

our

in

393

who quickly made

rear,

their

appearance.
I

to

had ordered

my men

to reserve their

and not

fire,

expend any ammunition until the command should

My good Monsoor

be given.
I

borrowed a snider

"

Dutchman

rifle

was

from a

to reload for me,

soldier.

rested the

" against the googoo, or wicker granary,

behind which

was concealed.

The natives on our

right flank

which would bring them

now

passed forward,

in our rear.

At the same

time, those in our front appeared in very loose

open order, evidently looking

I

observed a

man

was

hill to

obtain a better view.

in advance,

Monsoor whispered,

down by

upon

This

his arms.

and he ascended a smaU ant-

" That's

had taken a

rest

the

sheik

with the

rifle

''

at the

as I knelt

the googoo-stand.

puff of

startled the

smoke and the sharp crack of the

enemy, as the red sheik rolled

yells increased

lopes'

for us in all directions.

Ijracelcts

fellow

and

painted red, like a stick of sealing-

wax, with large ivory

same time

and

horns

on

all sides,

now sounded

over.

rifle

The

the whistles of the ante-

a shrill alarm, during which

the red sheik recovered his legs and vainly attempted

a dance of defiance.
arrows, but thev

fell

The leading Baris shot

short.

ofl"

tlxir

ISMAILIA.

394

my men

lu the meantime
less.

[chap. XI.

had remained motion-

Conceahnent was now useless

I therefore

threw

off the

cover of a googoo, into which excellent posi-

tion

had climbed,

me

a sj^are

circular googoo,

raised

frame-work to hand

The

Monsoor stood upon the

w^hile

ground,

could turn and

fire

gun on a martello

three feet from

splendid look-out.

afibrded

rifle.

the

In this

in every direction, like a pivot-

tower.

The red sheik was now about 200 yards

and was gesticulating

to his people, wdio

shy of closing with our position.

distant,

were evidently
shot from the

googoo struck him through the body, and he staggered

and

fell

never to

rise again.

few natives made a rush forward to recover him.

One immediately

fell

at a shot froui the googoo,

but

down

the

recovering himself like a

hill.

cat,

he staggered

Another quick shot from the googoo cracked

upon the body of a

arms of

his

native,

comrades

who was caught

in the

and dragged away as they

precipitately retreated in all directions from the dan-

gerous locality.

My
and

to

escape.

men now begged me

capture the man,
I

to allow

them

to charge

who was endeavouring

gave them leave, and a body of

dashed out in pursuit,

with loud

yells,

to

fifteen

after

the

THE SNIDER

CHAP. XI.]

them and

shot their arrows,

fifteen coolly knelt

upon the

upon

steady rests

395

For about a minute

retreating natives.

faced

EIFLES.

Ijut

clear ground,

tlie

natives

the

gallant

and taking

opened a

their knees,

that

fire

wounded one man, who was immediately supported

and drove the enemy before them.

his fellows,

l)y

The

immediately charged forward and bayo-

fifteen

and returned with

neted a fugitive,

bow and

his

arrows in triumph.

The enemy had quickly had the worst

now standing

were

in

all

directions

rear,

akeady opening

fellows were

though they faltered

as

resist
I

but

our retreat to the

in

to

quickly as

first,

set

my

like a jet of

the right and

left,

determination

to

advantage.

to

first

hand me

their rifles as

the sights for 400 yards,

until the

enemy up

its hit

them

vessels.

fire in all

took them

country was perfectly

to 1,000 paces.

The ground was dry and

marked

of

elevated position.

and continued

cleared of an

distances

at

required them, and I opened

directions from

Having

my men

They

noticed that these

their

determined to follow up the

therefore ordered

it.

Many

varying from 400 to 1,000 paces.

were actually in our

of

dusty, thus each bullet

as the pufi" of dust rose from the earth,

smoke.

ISMAILiA.

396

Some

of the

long ranges

[cHAr. xi.

enemy were knocked over

others were so

scared

at

very

by the

close

practice, as the bullets either struck the

their

or pinged

feet,

close to their ears,

and suddenly

skedaddle, as those

upon our right flank

in full speed, shouting

I

now

distinguished a

down

double

perceived

and yelling

body

Bazaine.

He

luid

general

started

ofl

of troops hurrying at the

the hill-side in

who had been

to alarm the rest.

Mexico

in

These

the distance.

were commanded by an active Soudan i

tenant),

they

that

Their noisy drums

cleared off as quickly as possible.

had ceased,

ground at

officer (lieu-

under Marshal

heard the firing as he was return-

ing with his day's collection of corn to the vessels,

he had therefore dropped the

corn,

and hurried on

with his party to our support.

1

ordered the bugler

having, joined forces,

to

sound the retreat

we marched without

and

further

opposition.

We

reached the diahbeeah and

half an hour after dark.

my little camp about

CHAPTER

XII.

VESSELS RETURN TO KHARTOUM.

On

6th November, 1871, Lieutenant Baker returned

from Gondokoro with four noggiirs, and the entire

detachment

news was

of

Lieutenant-Colonel

as follows

The

Achniet.

After the departure of Major Abdullah, the natives

had attacked the camp of Colonel Achmet, and had

wounded
which

him

liad to

through

the

the spot.

not

in

of his

killing

him on

l)een

but

delivered from

magazines at G<Hidokoro.
thirty vessels had left

Khartoum, taking about

including chikU'cn, women,

valids.

servant,

The corn had

3rd November,
for

Another arrow had passed

Several sohliers had been wounded,

his station to the

dokoro

back with a barbed arrow,

be cut out.
lieart

seriously.

On

the

Gon-

1,100 people,

sailors, soldiers,

and

in-

ISMAIlTa.

398

my

In spite of

positive orders, that uone but the

Khartoum, Eaouf Bey

really sick should he sent to

liad

my

in

absence

troops

who were

entire

force

[chap. XII.

away great numbers

sent

of

sound health, thus reducing the

in

of the

exj^edition

502

to

men, including buglers, drummers,

and

officers

with

clerks, &c.,

fifty-two sailors.

Thus an expedition that should have comprised

men was

1,645
that

reduced to so insignificant

appeared

it

The

interior.

impossible

proceed into the

to

war with us

Baris were at

hunters' companies were treacherous

districts

with

less

and yet

expedition was paralysed.

thus as

term of service would

had only one year and

in

this

to accomplish

to speculate

upon the

Khartoum.

Our cuttings and

improved

of this

short

my
it

time

uj^

we were

was impossible

canals
or they

ignorant.

it

object.

arrival of reinforcements

might have closed

and

was considered

It

In the di-eadfid state of the river

Giraffe

his j^oint,

my

months remaining, and

would be impossible

recjuired.

could not travel far

expire on 1st April 1873, T

four

was

that with so small a force,

from head-quarters

ec[uatorial

than one-third of the force

Abou Saood had apparently gained

the

the slave-

and annex the

to suppress the slave trade,

a force,

in the

from

Bahr

might have

CHAP.

had sent

the

to

FORCE REDUCED TO

XII.]

the

off

my

MEN.

399

England, also those

letters to

complaining of the conspiracy of

Khedive,

and inclosing the documents.

officers,

same time

502

had impressed upon

his

At the

Highness the

imperative necessity of opening the channel of the

White Nile without

great

had written to

Pacha

Djiaffer

for reinforcements^

from Khartoum immediately, together

he sent

to

delay.

with a large supply of dhurra.

had very

hope of receiving anything from

little

was therefore necessary to make

the

Soudan.

my

arrangements for the future, independently of

It

extraneous assistance.

all

men, and fifty-two armed

the work

The
officers

502

AVith
sailors,

had

force

at

and men

present with
;

thus

me

had exactly half of the

Belinian

had been thoroughly cowed,

had nothing

filled

tlierefore,

board several

'

was

well

fortified,

and

the

therefore

to fear in that quarter.

had more than

one of the oreat maofazines

including the dhurra

vessels, I liad

Those reinforcements were

river

to accomplish

consisted of 251

Gondokoro

with corn

and

that was the actual position.

troops.

officers

from Khartoum

to

close of the expedition.

now on

more than twelve months'

tliirteen

months actually on the

Gondokoro, and they only uiriv(d

at the

ISMAILIA.

400
supply

the

for

[chap. xii.

was

This

expedition.

great

blessing.

Although
the
I

my force was

terribly reduced in numbers,

men who remained were

did not despair

but

strong

and healthy.

determined

that

this

reduction of military force should not paralyse the

activity

the

of

every intrigue,
of the

and

the equator

On
men

would succeed

enterprise

pressed,

the

with

order

country,

at

should

territory

in

aiAte

main

of

objects

should be supl)e

annexed to

God's help.
took a hundred and

make

to

the

in the

slave trade

the

10 th November
in

and that

expedition,

last

reconnaissance

of the

cataracts

fifty

of

White

the
Nile,

about six miles south of our position.

We

started

ground

parallel

early,
witli

and marched along the high

the

passing

river,

the

spot

where the natives had attacked us some days pre-

Nothing could exceed the beauty of

vious.

country as an

agricultural

settlement.

The

this

long,

sloping undulations were ornamented with innumerable

villages,

granaries.

stream,

On

all

of

which

arrival

at

the

in

we ascended a

slope,

I noticed a considerable

ran

away nor appeared

were

overflowing

dry bed of a broad

and

to

my

astonishment

body of natives who neither

ho,<^tile

in

their demeanour.

HXTI^AOBVINAEY FOLITEHESS.

cHAr. xu.]

mj

Leaving

yards

fifty

rifle

with IMonsoor,

them,

of

My
I

rode up within

unarmed,

apparently

had a pair of hreach-loading

now

communicate with
For the

the

Baris.

were

time

first

Baris,

holsters.

had no

only desired

their sheik.

received a

They

explained,

they

had

no

who had fought

people

hut

explained, that

was only on an exploration, and that

intention of disturbing their property

to

my

pistols in

Bari interpreter, Morgian,

401

q.\\\\

that

answer from
they

although

with

connection

the

They were governed

us.

by a great sheik named Bedden, whose

territory

was bounded by the torrent bed that we had just

They promised

crossed.
a

on the morrow

visit

that
in

should pay

he

the

meantime,

required any corn, they would supply us.

whicli

politeness

therefore thanked

saying

to

that

if

me
we

This was

was quite unaccustomed.

them, but declined their

oflfer,

wanted nothing from them except

friendship.
I

now

discovered,

that

people

these

had never

had any communication with the slave-traders, who

were afraid to molest so powerful

At

parting,

VOL.

then
I.

tribe

gave them a white handkerchief as

a signal to our sentries,

We

returned

when they should

to

our

station,

arrive.

the

i>

troops

ISMAILiA.

402
sharing

that

satisfaction

tlie

[chap. xii.

felt

having

in

at

length discovered friends.

On

the following day at about 3 p.m. the sentry

on the

body

called to

hill

of natives

presumed

Bedden.

was approaching the

therefore

of

people

accompanying

the

about

my

at

least

700

hundred men

and made arrangements to

honour.

Fifty

with

river

tlie

drew

in line parallel with the river,

yards from the l^ank, near the

fifty

were

natives

their sheik.

diahbeeah.

angles

of

telescope.

returned to camp,

followers

ascended the slope and ex-

receive his visit with a guard of

up

station.

suspicions were aroused from the extraordinary

number

were

these

that

amined them with the

My

guard, that a very large

tlie

men were
thus

in

line

the lines

bow

of

right

at

formed two

sides of a square.

In

the

front of the line I

loaded with

canister

shot.

Bedden with due honour

protected.

In

the

hill

messenger,

sentry

event

now

who waved

end of a bamboo.

fieldpiece

intended to receive

in the hollow square thus

could be almost annihilated

The

placed the

of

treachery,

by one

his

force

discharge.

reported the

arrival

of

a white handkerchief on the

This

was the

signal

agreed

cuAP.

ARiaVAL OF SHEIK BEDDEX.

XII.

403

upon, and the messenger was allowed to pass.

communicated the
few minutes

He was

very

and oaunt

tall

and

ground and

now

men
being
sofas

covered

and

the

to

poop-deck

the

with

stuck their lances

all

few of his principal

my

of

and

carpets,

which,

diahbeeah,

arranged

with

was something very astonishing

chairs,

great

were ushered into

down.

sat

Bedden and

sent for

to

in a

and without any

people

his

the hollow square, where they

in the

later the great sheik arrived.

both he

delay,

of Bedden's approach

fact

He

who had never

sheik,

seen an}i:hing

but a vessel in the distance.

now

the

at

explained the

same

Egyptian

time

shirt

l)lue

and made him look more

sash round his waist,

him

presented
that

expedition

of the

objects

reached

with
to

respectable.

long

his

ankles,

crimson

and a red tarboosh

(fez)

u})(in

head, improved his appearance wonderfully, and

liis

he began to feel at home.

I

of

A^arious

colours,

harness

of

him

presented

mirror

bells.

attracted

with

together

Brass

more

pounds

six

with

attention

some
and

bugles

beads

of

than

strings

large

any other

curiosities.
I

gave him

brass bugle,

to

his

great

D D 2

delight.

ISMAILIA.

404

The use

was then explained

of the cannon

and the

of the

effects

[chap. xii.

to him,

were pardonably ex-

shell

aggerated to produce a respect for the weapon.

He gave

us six pots of merissa and some fowls,

promising to come again to-morrow.

All these people believe in sorcery, and each sheik

and conjurors.

possesses spells

Tortoise shells, scales

of the manis, lions' claws, and those of the leopard,

roots,

knots of trees of peculiar shape, and

things, are

My

This was

was

was supj)Osed

unknown

listened

and that

it

these

in

its

flew

mistress

to be a cojoor, or

of

West

parts.

about

all

the
of

Africa,

The

could speak like a

it

what people said

to

peated to

grey bird

the

preter explained that "

being,

other

as talismans.

wife's parrot

fetish.

that

worn

many

inter-

human
and

country

which

it

re-

and myself; thus we knew

everything that occurred, and the natives could not

This parrot was exceedingly tame, and

deceive us."

was never

confined.

the deck, and while

being described by
to

the

vanced

It
its

my

amazement and
stoutly

have bitten

to

the

his big toe

up and taken

leave.

was now walkinsf about

extraordinary powers
Bari

fear

sheik

interpreter,

Morgian,

of the natives,

Bedden,

were

and

it

ad-

would

had he not quickly jumped

BAEI SYSTEM OF FAEMIXG.

CHAP. XII.]

The magnetic battery and the

were

box

large musical

be magic.

also believed to

At

405

sunset, the great sheik departed in the best of

spirits,

with

all his

people, as he

had drunk a tumbler

of jMarsala before he started, in order to try the quality

of our merissa.

The population

of this country

is

the natives are good agriculturists.

is

stony,

it

very large, and

Although the

soil

very productive, as the cultivation

is

carefully attended

is

Dhurra, sesame, dochan, and

to.

beans, in addition to a species of Hibiscus which pro-

duces an edible seed and also a fine

fibre, are

sown

in

exact oblongs or squares resembling the plots in allot-

Near the

ment-grounds in England.

villages are hirge

heaps of manure, collected from the cattle zareebas.

These are mixed with the sweepings of the stations,

and the ashes from the

when

required

Each cow

among

and are divided

cattle-fires,

the proprietors of the herds.

of the zareeba

is

entitled

to

a certain

measure of manure at the commencement of the

when
of

all

hands turn out to cultivate

many cows
The cows

is

are all herded in one or

is

heaped, and,

in large baskets.

thickly over the

thus the owner

enabled to farm a large area.

the whole manure

measured

rains,

field,

and

It is
is

two pens

when

thus

divided,

is

then distributed very

roughly hoed with the

ISMA ILIA.

40G

[ciiAr. xii.

upon the manure

iron molote, the seed being tlirown

broadcast, previous to the hoeing.

The

appearance of the country would

geological

Large masses

suggest the presence of precious metals.

of rose-coloured

surface in

and icy-white quartz project from the

These run for miles in tolerably

dikes.

direct lines, like walls,

rocks

the

are

from west

granitic,

consisting

micacious schist

gneiss, with

Generally

to east.

of

the

in

and

syenite

lower valleys.

Occasionally, dikes of basalt break through the sur-

which

face,

is

generally

are weather-worn
I

much denuded, and

and decomposed.

have frequently washed

spots

among

rents have

the rocks

for gold in the

most likely

the deep holes of ravines, where the tor-

worn away the bed, but

have found no
IMagnetic

sign of either precious stones or metals.

iron ore in large quantities

is

the only metal to be

discovered in the river beds.

On

13 th November, at sunrise, Lieutenant Baker

started with the troops to convey corn from a distant

village.

was

sitting

on the poop-deck of the

beeah, enjoying a pipe and a cup of cofiee,

diali-

when he

suddenly galloped back with the news that a herd of

bull elephants

not prepared

mended him

was approaching from the west.

for
to

elephant-shooting,

return

to

the

and

troops,

was

recom-

who would

CHAP. XII.]

SUDDEN APPEABAKCE OF ELEPHANTS.

otherwise waste their time.

407

had no suspicion that

elephants would approach our position after having

been disturbed by the

soldiers, in a

country that was

perfectly open.

Lieutenant Baker cantered back to his men, while

I

commenced

to

my

my

up

write

to

journal

according

dady custom.

In about a quarter of an hour, the sentry reported

a herd of elephants.

All

my

upon the googoos and huts

people clambered up

to obtain a

good view

of the herd, which from the high poop-deck of the

diahbeeah we could see distinctly.

There were eleven

bulls,

in close order along the

and they were marching

bank

of the river, approach-

ing us at about 400 yards' distance.

I

should have thought

a herd of elephants in

it

almost as likely to meet

Hyde Park

open and thickly-pojDulated country.

in this

distinguished natives along the distant heights,

whom

them

as to find

now

all

of

were attracted by the uncommon occurrence.

In the meantime the elephants approached, swinging their trunks and huge ears to and

fro,

apparently

unconscious of the presence of the vessels and people.

I

always

kept

guns

arranged on

beautiful

order,

On

left-hand

the

my
side

were

and
a

ammunition

rack in
the

the

in

cabin.

shot guns,

i.e.,

ISMA ILIA.

408

two breechloacling No. 12

On

10.

four muzzleloading No.

the

the rifles:

the ridit,

man," two breechloading

Reilly,

No.

"Dutch-

little

two muzzle-

8,

half-pounders, that carried an iron

loading Holland

explosive

lead-coated

[chap. XII.

shell,

bursting

containing

These

charge of half an ounce of fine grain powder.

two elephant

were very hard

rifles

twelve drachms of powder.

rifles

was on a

shelf that

The ammunition

re-load,

deck,

should

and a large

The small bag was

bag with a considerable supply.

intended for the

for the

formed the rack, contained

bag with a simple

in a small

and carried

hitters,

call

suddenly for

rifle.

Seeing that the elephants were so near,

ordered

my

and the

My

horse,

Greedy Grey,"

and ammunition

rifles

servant,

"

Suleiman,

from Alexandria,

w^as

at once

be saddled,

to be sent after me.

who had

with

started

me

an honest, good creature, but

so exceedingly nervous that he

n any sudden

to

emergency.

was physically

The

climate

useless

of

the

marshes during our long voyage had so aflected his

nervous .system, that any alarm or start would set

him

trembling to

chattered
water.

expected

as

such an extent, that his teeth

though he had been bathing

However, there was no time

that

should

the

elephants

to

in iced

lose,

observe

as I

our

"GREEDY GREY."

CHAP. XII.]

vessels,

and the troops

409
they

in their scarlet uniform,

would immediately wheel round and be

at the

off,

pace which an African elephant knows so well

how

to use.

my

Suleiman to send on

Grey"

"Greedy

mounted

quickly

rifles

and

ammu-

with

directly,

told

nition.
I

my men

ordered

come down

to

the

about 200

at

paces in the rear of

elephants, where they were

though
shirts

in

skirmishincr

would

most

the

This

check

My men

and

elephants,

form a

to

order.

probably

from rushing back.

at

run up the heights, and

to

line

line

of

as

red

elephants

the

had orders

to

fire

endeavour to turn them

to

should they attempt a retreat.

I

was now on " Greedy Gre}'

was as clean as a race-course,

up the slope

so

as

to

The horse flew along

the sloping ground

therefore galloped

keep above

at full speed.

a chorus

of shouts from great

who had

collected

was raised

"

the

At

elephants.

this

moment,

numbers of natives

on the east bank of the river

in admiration

of the white horse,

which

they probably thought would in some manner seize

the elephants.

In a very few seconds

reined up on the slope,

about a hundred yards above the herd, which had

ISMAILIA.

410

now

[chap. XII.

They regarded

halted close to the river's bank.

the horse with some curiosity, and massed themselves

together.

In the meantime,

" Forty,"

and they presently came down,

During

moved
same

their

this

the

their front, I

on the

now

in

elephants only

people

was above them on one

coming up
line of

flank

in the

completely

my

diahbeeah and

was a

other

and formed

the

operation,

They were

the servants were

their rear

heights,

and trunks, but remained

cars

position.

rounded

capital

from the edge of the river up the

long, open line

slope.

who were

moving rapidly along the

were

runners,

my

Avith

the

about twenty

was the deep

were in

flank,
rifles.

soldiers,

river

sur-

about

and
In

and
110

yards wide from the mainland to the island.

Just as

me and
phants

the
I

rifles

were within a few yards of

was preparing

wheeled

suddenly

dismount,

to

round,

and

the

took

ele-

to

water.

They had been standing

in

was frequently overflowed

that

low,

place, the

spot

thus they had no

in descending to the river.

difficulty

swampy

Close to this

banks w^re perpendicular, and as hard as

brick.
I

ran

down

to the river, but

by the time

of

my

THE ELEPHANTS TAKE TO WATEB.

CHAP. XII.]

had gained the opposite bank

arrival, the elephants

there,

411

however, they were in a

The water

difficulty.

was deep, and the bank of the island was perpenand

dicular,

al)out

could not get out without Ijreaking

so as to

form an

incline.

down

the bank

Already these enormous

which are accustomed

creatures,

They

above the water.

six feet

to such

difficulties,

were tearing down the earth with their tusks and

horny-toed feet

gave

me

It

was

good

that
I

still

it

^^'as

work

of time, that

obtain a shot, as the elephants

The distance was about

very uncertain for

is

02:)portunity.

difficult to

were end on.

which

must be struck exactly

fired several shots

aimed at the back of

so
in

110

an

large

yards,

animal,

the right place.

with the No. 8 breechloader,

their heads, but

none of these

were successful.

Monsoor had the

me.

The stunning

ammunition, and
effect of

the heavy

fused the animals and caused one to

into the scrambling herd.

reloaded

for

metal con-

fall

backward

This turned an elephant

sideways.

The bank had already given way and

had

in

fallen

large

reduced the depth.

gained a
the

muddy

yielding

masses into the

The

fo(jting,

bank with

water,

elephants, which

which

had now

ploughed and tore down

redoubled

vigour,

as

mv

ISMA ILIA

412

men

excitement opened a hot

great

in

them with the snider

much

[chap. xii.

upon

fire

These had about as

rifles.

though they had been pelted

effect as

witli

stones.

the

depth lessened by the falling

elephants

showed more body above the

Presently, as

bank, the

The splashing and scrambling was extra-

surface.

ordinary

length a large bull half ascended the

at

bank, and for a

moment exposed

quick right and

left

the

where

river,

him.

sent a ball

The powerful stream

at

with

which by the

on his

bagged
that

to

wild
of

head which killed

once

now

away

carried

completely given way, and

one

of

recoil flew

several

Holland

the

yards

out
;

of

this

my

knees on
all

intents

the

steep

fired

half-pounders,

hands for a

was loaded with

twelve drachms of fine-grain powder.

fell

of

series

was nearly on the summit.

an elephant

of

No. 8

Reilly

carcase.

The bank had

distance

fired

him within twenty yards

his

him

backwards into

fell

into

the floating

at

he

commenced a

he

struggles that brought

me, and

with a

shot

and

behind his shoulder,

his flank

The elephant

incline,

and

was

and purposes, but believing

had plenty of ammunition

at

hand,

fired

another half-pounder into his shoulder, which killed

'"THE BABY."

CHAP. XII.]

him on

the current took

1

and he

spot,

tlic

413

and

the water,

rolled into

him away.

immediately sent

man

order boats, with

to

ropes and axes to follow the carcases.

In the meantime

fired

my

No. 8 into the

last

shoulder of an elephant that had just climbed the

bank and gained the

island.

now had

a glorious

opportunity of a shoulder shot at every animal as

it

should ascend the steep incline.

My ammunition was exhausted

man, had sent the

little

My servant, Sulei-

bag that contained only one

reload for the breechloaders, and no powder-flask or

shells for the half-pounders.

I liad

now

the annoyance

of witnessing the difficult ascent of the elephants in

single

file,

exposing their flanks in succession to the

slioulder-shot, Avhile I
I

remained a

lielpless looker-on.

had thus bagged only two out of eleven,

l)ut these

were killed at very long shots (about 110 yards).

The half-pounder

were the same

rifles

"

and

calil)re

The Nile

Tril)utaries of

Abyssinia" as " the Baby."

Tliese were

made by Mr.

Holland of Bond

are the

pattern as that described

ing

rifles

Street,

ever used.

elephant, and to half

kill

and

They were
the

most overpowercertain to kill

man who

twelve drachms of fine-grain powder.

strong, therefore

was never

fired
I

them,

tlu?

M'itli

was tolerably

killed oul right; but

an

ISMAIL'iA.

414

Arab hunter had

when

recoil,

the

smashed

collar-bone

his

l)y

was loaded with simple

rifle

had nsed

If he

grain powder.

[ciiAr. XII.

hardly have insured his

fine-grain,

the

coarse-

should

life.

The elephants having gained the

island,

some time exposed, before they made up

to cross to the other side.

remained

their

minds

Unfortunately, the boats

had followed the carcases of the elephants down the

which were two miles distant before they could

river,

be secured

the island.

Our

there were

many

I therefore

of

we had no means

therefore

have

vessels could not

crossed, as

rocks below stream.

took a few shots with Hale's rockets, one

which just grazed the rump of an elephant, and

sent

them

ofi"

])ractice,

and the

fieldpiece,

shells

specific

the fusees.

Ijy

gravity of the elephant differs con-

animal invariably sinks when

killed,

The body

on the surface immediately that

The

when

the gas

of an elephant
it is killed,

capable of supporting one or more persons.

cavity of the carcase

is

much

latter

and the body

the surface in about two hours,

has distended the stomach.

floats

exploded very wildly, and not

siderably from that of the hippopotamus.

rises to

then tried

but the gun made bad

according to the distances regulated

The

We

in great astonishment.

few shots with the

is

of reaching

and

The

larger in the elephant

CHAP,

xii.]

SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF ELEPHANTS.

than in the hippojDotamus

of flesh, covered
skin,

the

specific

the latter

is

415

a dense mass

by an exceedingly thick and heavy

gravity

greater than water.

of which

is

considerably

CHAPTER
MORAL

The moral

The sound
for

many

THE HUNT.

IlESULTS OF

result

satisfactory, at the

XIII.

of the

elephcint

same time most

hunt was very

unexj)ectecl.

of cannon had been heard

miles

this

had awakened

by the natives

their

curiosity,

and numbers had sped from the surrounding heights

and

satisfied

been

killed.

little

camp

themselves that several elephants

The natives

in hundreds,

ing permission to take as

required.

of

Bedden flocked

and were delighted

much

to

had
our

at receiv-

elephant's flesh as they

They raced along the bank

for a couple of

miles to the spot where the two elephants had been

secured by
I

my

people,

and towed upon a sand-bank.

had sent down a noggur to make sure of the

heads, as the opportunity of obtaining entire skulls

seldom

offered.

These

two heads had now been

cuAP.

WO^^DERFUL EFFECT OF FLESH.

xiii.]

Iji'oiiglit

417

camp, and the natives were employed

safely to

atom of

in cleaning every

from the bone.

flesh

In the meantime, great numbers of our enemies

were to be seen squatting upon the heights, watching

who had congregated

the happier Baris of Bedden,

like vultures in the river,

and were quarrelling and

scrambling over the immense carcases of the elephants.

The temptation was too great

could

resist

flesh

were watering,

meat

of red

sentry

me

heavy loads
of

the

rival

messenger hailed the

the

of

wished to

sheiks

to crave a cessation of

hos-

Shortly after the disappearance of this

man

present himself to
tilities.

one

enemies

our

the

upon the heads

afternoon,

say that

to

of

they watched

as

carried

the

In

Baris.

The mouths

Who

to withstand.

with a courteous answer, a batch of messengers arrived

to

beg that

as they all desired

On

their

the following morning

attended by
themselves,

on

my

many

seated

held a general levee.

or sheiks of principal villages,

of their peoi)le,

and to sue

for peace.

came
I

to present

received

he stepped on board.

themselves by Bedden,

I.

They

and a general

explanation took place.

VOL.

the

diahbeeah, and each received a present

of a long blue shirt as

now

might be received,

peace.

About twenty headmen,

chiefs

chief

E E

ISMAJLIA.

418
I

me

them

assured

how

had forced

mission to the country had been

at the

same time they must have seen

impossible

was

it

to resist the troops

armed with weapons of

manner very

regret that they

my

into war, as

one of peace

my

of

[chap. xiii.

and

precision,

who were

drilled in

from the companies of slave-

different

hunters.

them that

told

had many thousand

and that had they agreed to

was absolutely needed
paid for

me

sell

them when

entered

first

the corn that

for the troops,

punctually with cows, as

it

their

cattle,

should have

had promised

also

district.

explained that, as they must have observed, I had

never taken
although
oxen.

head

single

this

depend upon

that they might

exchange

had

my

sincerity.

taken their

They
little

replied,

cattle,

that

upon them the

my

corn

in
fact

had
thus

they might have disbelieved

must be expected that

occur

war was

time

word.

for their

at

incited against us

Belinian, and the

At the same

cattle

"it

would

differences

They had been

my

although

conduct,

actual war, merely to impress

offered to

from them,

cattle

had frequently heard the lowing of their

had adopted

of

the

by the Baris of

entirely their

they laughed,

beginning."

and

own
said

fault.

that

CHAP.

PEACE ESTABLISHED.

XIII.]

"hunger was a very bad

men would

always

we

therefore

matter,

least

would

been

the

as

take

to

did not in the

it

and

islands were very fertile,

another

produce

right

quite

They declared that

their corn."

hungry

and that

thing,

their stomachs, if they could,

fill

had

419

crop

very

quickly

in

meantime they had a good supply concealed,

the

and

their

only

loss

necessitated

extra

little

labour.

They continued
sajdng,
this

peaceable

this

conversation

"the elephants were seldom seen

that

and

district,

in

not understand

they did

that

by

such hunting, but they had heard the cannons, and

they knew

we should be

tliat

able to kill

The meeting concluded by a request

the

sheiks

having

given

for

instructions

messengers, despatched them to

summon

them."

meat
to

and

certain

their people

where the remains of the elephants

to the sand-bank,

were lying.
In

enemies,

hurrying

short

were

time,

swarms of

collecting

towards

the

they were going to a

1

from

natives,
all

attractive

lately our

quarters,

spot,

as

and

though

fair.

gave the headmen a present of beads, and took

them

to admire themselves in the large glass within

the cabin of the diahbeeah.

scrambled some pounds

E E 2

ISMAILIA.

420

[chap. XIII.

and

of beads amoncy their people,

pjot

up

foot-races

for prizes.

The natives

some

selected

of their best runners

but although they ran well, they were

by Ali Nedjar

all

" Forty Thieves,"

of the

beaten

who was

the champion runner of the expedition.

The

sheiks requested that the cannon might be fired

for their

amusement.

made them look very

look
lieved

at the

shot with blank cartridge

serious.

They then

w^ent to

two elephants' heads, which they be-

had been blown

by the cannon on the

off

day of the hunt.

They returned

to the diahbeeah,

and ordered

their

people to bring the present they had prepared for me.

This consisted of thirty-one jars of merissa, each of

which was duly tasted by themselves as a proof of the

absence of poison.
Before they departed,

was assured, not only of

their regret that the misunderstanding should

taken place,

would be

in

with Bedden
interior.

have

but that after their bean crop, which

about two months, they would unite

and carry

They took

all

leave and

my

baggage into the

went

off

the direc-

tion of the dead elephants.

Here was a sudden change

in the politics

of the

BAlil POLITICAL MORALITY.

CHAr. XIII.]

countiy

421

Peace had been effected by the

sacrifice of

two elephants
This peace was the residt of greediness and envy.

The natives had pined

Baris of

for the flesh,

Bedden who were carrying

it

and envied the

away

therefore

they sued for peace.

At the same

time, they

offer of a large

had originally declined

my

herd of cattle that would have been

worth a hundred elephants.

Thus they had courted

war, in which they had lost

many

much

together with

have sold

cows

for

corn, all of

of their people,

which they might

and they now desired peace, only

to join in the scramble, like vultures, over the flesh of

two elephants.
African negroes are incomprehensible people, and

human

they cannot be judged by the ordinary rules of

nature.

was easy

It

desired peace

upon

to

understand,

that

if

so frivolous a pretext, they

plunge into war with the

same

frivolity

they

would

with

" cceur leger."

As each
the

division of the district quickly followed

example of another

manner would
provoking

they

follow

steaks.

desiring

an

evil

peace, in like

example

in

hostilities.

They had now professed

few

in

friendship for the sake of a

They had promised

to carry our

baggage

ISMAILIA.

422

offer,

woukl only be true

If they

into the interior.

[cuAP. XIII.

to this

should be able to transport the steamer, as

the natives could easily drag the two-wheeled carts.

Although

doubted their professions,

secret hopes of success,

power

and

resolved to do

I therefore

to establish confidence.

me

very intelligent natives to yjay

some time

reside

all

in

my

invited two

a visit,

and to

Gondokoro, where they would

at

management

witness the general

had some

see the workshops, &c.

of the station,

They would

and

also see the vast

herds of cattle belonging to the government, the spoil

of the Bari war.

This would be a sight most interest-

ing to the eyes of Baris, as

it

would be a lesson of

the great power of the government to either punish

or reward.

In the afternoon

men from

swum

was

visited

by other native head-

the east side of the Nile.

the

river,

These people had

and had followed the example of

the other natives to sue for peace, and to beg, for

elephant's flesh.

This extraordinary craving for flesh would suggest

that the Baris were devoid of cattle.
there

but

are

the

countless herds

natives

have

On

the contrary,

throughout the country

great

objection

to

kill

them, and merely keep the cows for their milk, and
the bullocks to bleed.

CHAP.

VIVISECTION.

XIII.]

The cows

black pudding
cattle

is

same manner that

in the

used throughout Europe.

thus provide

will

and the blood

are also bled periodically,

and eaten, much

boiled

is

423

animal food

herd of

without the

necessity of slaughtering.

The great

was discredited

for

having

described a fact of which he was an eye-witness.

This

was the

who

traveller, Bruce,

by

vivisection of a cow, driven

natives,

cut a steak out of her hind-quarters.

I

had a bull with a very large hump.

This animal

was very handsome, and was kept

observed that the skin of the

that

upon.

It

my

hump

(as a

a long

operated

one of

and they had been

j)c"irties,

of removing the

been

frequently

people assured

had been the property of

slave-hunter's

This

had

bull

this

stock.

hump showed

jagged scar from end to end, and

me

for

the

in the habit

surgeon would a tumour).

the most delicate portion of the meat, and

is

was

assured

hump would

the

that

always be

replaced by a similar growth after each operation.

On

18th

homewards.
out the

bidden

to

my

commenced the

march

The natives were now friendly through-

route,

change in
into

November,

enter

my

my men

and
a

village.

officers

were
There

and troops

strictly

was

for-

great

they had fallen

ways and obeyed every order with

alacrity.

ISMAIL!A.

424

They

liad learned

[chap. xiu.

any plans that were arranged

knew

and,

obedience

of

necessity

the

upon

place thorough reliance

to

now

that they

and

discipline,

they had, imperceptibly to themselves, changed from

ruffians into

On

as this

soldiers.

march homewards, upon

the

mountain,

foot of

very orderly

made an

at

arrival

the

excursion inland,

was a portion of the country that

had not

yet visited, though only six miles from Gondokoro.

The natives were very

w^th

obtainino^ an interview

in

powerful fellow,

at length succeeded

sh}^, Ijut I

named

Meri.

their

sheik,

tall

explained that

required no corn, nor any supplies, except stone.

pieces of gneiss with

The country abounded with

a very straight cleavage, that suited

country
single

were
like

were

stones,

On

by

large

of

The houses

stones

flat

from the driven storms of

19 th November,

satisfied

formed

this

arranged

around the base, and thus securing the

tiles

sides

pillars

about three feet long.

protected

also

upon

supported

of

granaries

the

All

building purposes.

for

them admirably

with

only were

my

the

returned to Gondokoro highly

result

of

magazines

all

twelve months* supply

rain.

of

campaign.

the
filled

corn,

Jished peace throughout a large

Not

with more than

but

had estab-

and powerful

district,

CHAP,

and

ABOU

xiii.]

SAOOD'S SWINDLE.

had received promises of

425

and an

assistance,

assurance of allegiance to the government.

Abou

who had

Saood,

received permission to go

gone down

Khartoum, had only

to

the

river

as

There he had made

far as his station at the Bohr.

arrangements with his people that the ivory from

Latooka
avoid

100 miles cast of Gondokoro, should

station,

my

and be conveyed by an

head-quarters,

By

oblique course to the Bohr.

this

swindle, the

government would be cheated out of the share of

two -fifths of

the

ivory

which belonged

by contract with Agad &

Abou

Saood

departure

the

of

game

his

as

reduced to

having
troops

Co.

personally

witnessed

Khartoum,

to

won, and that the

only 502

them

to

officers

the

considered

now

expedition,

and men, would be

compelled to centralise at Gondokoro, without the

possibility

of

penetrating the

interior.

thus started for his stations in

where

lie

intended

the government,

my

to

incite

to prevent

This was

the

first

the distant south,

natives

the

me from

plans with the small force at

He had

my

time in the

ao-ainst

following out
disposal.

career

of

Saood that he had ever travelled inland.

for

many

years

Abou

He had

been in the habit of arriving at

Gondokoro from Khartoum with the annual

vessels

;;

ISMAILIA.

426

&

from Agad

[chap. XIII.

new

Co., bringing

levies of brigands

together with fresh supplies of arms and ammunition.

then remained at Gondokoro for several weeks,

He

and received the ivory and

from

collected

slaves

the interior, with which he

his various stations in

returned to Khartoum.

The

necessity

much

use

personal

date

when

had

only

my
one

my

occasion

activity.

term of

stations,

and

to

warn

him

means he would be

as

the

with

all

ivory

and a judicious

would

reinstate

greatest

to

my

visit his

term of service

that

things

state.

him

would

By

these

government

able to cheat the

out of the two-fifths of

official

possi-

should be withdrawn from

quickly return to their former happy

he

his people to hold both their

which he had no doubt

his slaves

the

had already

he

prevent the

for

Gondokoro by the expiration of

after

expire,

to

advance within the given period.

and ivory until

slaves

would

to

was therefore necessary

It

well

which

was

this

induced him

Knowing

service

in

object,

nearly succeeded,
bility of

the

of

he would preserve

present to

some high

in his original position

slave-hunter

the additional kudos of

of

White Nile

the

having

baffled

the

Christian Pacha.
,

had already written

to assure the

Khedive

that,

CHAP.

ME. HIGGINBOTHAM.

XIII.]

should

my

at the

expiration of

continue at
the

work not be

my

427

satisfactorily

my

term of

accomplished

service,

should

post until I could honourably resign

when

command,

government

the

should

be

firmly established in the interior.

I

now devoted every energy

preparations

to the

and

for starting, toorether with the Enejlish engineers

Having given the necessary

the steamer.

instructions

Mr. Higginbotham, to Mr. McWilliam,

to

Mr. Jarvis, each of

his department,

whom
had

represented the

no anxiety, as

and

to

head of
felt

sure

that everything would be in order.

The

were to be thoroughly examined, and

carts

the No. 3 steamer of 38

in parcels

was

tons

to

be divided

the small work secured in loads of

fifty

pounds, each sewn up in raw hide, and the heavier

portions divided

The
lot.

oflicers

among

the carts.

were now perfectly resigned to then-

The remnant

of the Egyptian force

converted into artillerymen,

and

all

had been

the Soudanis

formed one regiment.

While Mr. Higginbotham was engaged

of arranging

the

and packing,

my

manufacture of bricks, as

in the

work

masons were busy in

I

wished eventually

to build the barracks of this solid material, instead

of trusting

to

the

dangerously inflammable straw-

ISMAILIA.

428
huts.

had akeady written

to

[chap. XIII.

England

for sufficient

for 3,000 feet of building in actual

galvanized iron
length.

Although galvanized iron

is

hot in a tropical climate,

can easily be protected from the sun by a light

it

framework of canes

My

slightly thatched.

Soudanis

were never overpowered by heat, as they had been

born in a high temperature.
Before

started for the interior,

to give the Shir a

my

reprimand for the massacre of

unfortunate soldiers

of the cultivation.
pedition,

and

them a severe

in

was necessary

it

who had been

left

in charge

accordingly organised an ex-

the com'se of a fortnight

lesson.

The military

gave

details of this

expedition would merely be a rej^etition of savage

warfare that would be unnecessary.

On my

return to Gondokoro, I found the natives

had collected a large quantity of

had sent

to request a vessel

to

stones,

and they

transport them.

gave them a cow, and they had a general dance.

This

reception seemed to delight them, and they returned

to

their

an

officer

that

any

no

villages,

accompanied by a noggur with

and twenty men.

soldier

gave

strict

orders

should enter a native hut under

pretext.

The Bari war was

over.

Upon every

side

the

- 9-od

9- a.

..
z!

>

o.

^11

oN
J

~'7.

o.

PEACE AT GONDOKORO.

CHAP. XIII.]

429

The

natives had been tlioronglily subdued.

the horses and the snider

the country.

It ^Yas

had spread throughout

rifles

reported that no herds of cattle

we could

could possibly escape the horses, and that

fire

from their backs nt

withstand

could

fear of

full

The snider

them.

thus nothing

speed,

lieved to be " cojoor," or magic.

were be-

rifles

The helmet-shaped

worn by Lieutenant Baker and myself were

caps

considered to be " cojoor."

also

our Bari interpreters,

the

Sheik

and

to

now heard from

Sheroom and Morgian, that

AUorron was willing

to

sue

for

declare his allegiance to the government.

Abou Saood and

evil spirit

his people

had departed

thus the

was withdrawn that had hitherto covertly

incited the natives against the government,

effect of his
I

peace,

and the

absence was immediately apparent.

now devoted my

attention

to

the

pre-

final

parations for the start, and to the necessary instructions

for

absence.
sible

the

command

The

officers

to resist

colonel,

who

troops to

of the

station

found that

their destiny

it

discovered that he would be

left

my

was now impos-

and Eaouf Bey, the

had, against orders, sent

Khartoum who were

during

in

off*

so

many

good health, now

with a comparatively

small force to hold the important position at headquarters.

ISMA ILIA.

430

[chap. XIII.

The troops who had been employed under

personal

me

command, were very anxious

my

accompany

to

into the equatorial district.

There was no more fighting.

peace

were

always

length

at

indulged in

the

hopes of

The nights were

realised.

and

undisturbed,

my

All

sentries

might have

sleep without the slightest danger.

dead calm had succeeded to the excitement of constant watchfulness.

I

now employed

making

There were peculiar surface mines within a

salt.

mile of
a

the " Forty Thieves " in

my

little

station.

These were situated upon

sandy loam on the banks of a brackish

swarmed with
The

salt

lake, that

crocodiles.

always showed upon the surface after a

shower of rain had been evaporated by the sun.

efflorescence, together

with sand and other impurities,

was scraped from the earth with large mussel

It

was then placed

ing

about

This

in

five gallons.

shells.

earthenware vessels contain-

These were pierced with

holes in the bottom, which were covered with a wisp

of straw as a strainer.

The

and sand, were watered

occasionally,

jars,

being

and the brine

accordingly filtered through to a receiver.

tents were boiled,

sodium.

and produced the

full of salt

The con-

finest chloride of

CHAP.

FOREST OF TAMARIND TREES.

XIII.]

The natural productions

salt, iron,

431

of the neighbourhood were

tamarinds, the oil-nut tree

and the

culti-

vation of the natives was principally Hibiscus hemp,

and do-

tobacco, varieties of beans, sesam^, dhurra,

chan

(millet).

endeavoured to persuade the Baris

and prepare large quantities of the Hi-

to cultivate

hiscus

hemp, which would be extremely valuable

The Baris used

the Soudan.

it

for nets

and

in

fishing-

lines.

The tamarinds were of two

varieties,

and were pro-

About two miles

duced in extraordinary quantities.

from head-quarters, there was an extensive portion

of the forest

composed almost exclusively of these

magnificent trees.

The

forest

was

also rich in the tree

Arabs as " heglik."

bitter,

and

several

hundredweight,

copper

highly

in

producing

the

is

a combination of sweet,

My men

aromatic.

distilling.

in

still

the

This bears a fruit about the size

of a date (lalobe), which

periment

known by

as

wished to try an ex-

was

There

magazine,

delicious

collected

spirit

and

an

excellent

succeeded in

somewhat resembling

kirschenwasser.

My

cotton was

now

ripe,

and

cleaned

small hand gin that could be worked

it

with a

by two men.

This greatly interested the Bari visitors, who,

l)y

my

ISMA ILIA.

432
special invitation,

[chap. XIII.

had been residing

for

some time

at

Gondokoro.

The dry season had been very unfavourable

cotton
that

nevertheless, the quality

would thrive

it

defy the drought.

pod was

On

The

species that

and seemed to

to a great size,

This bore a red blossom, and the

The native cotton was

small.

and adhered strongly

staple,

was good, and proved

in the locality.

was indigenous grew

for

short

of

to the seed.

29th November, two Arabs arrived from Abou

Saood's Latooka station, 100 miles east of Gondokoro

they had travelled at night, and were deserters from

the vakeel.

my old

One

of these fellows turned out to be

follower during

my former journey, Mohammed

the camel-driver, and he literally cried with joy

he saw

my

wife

news from the

slaves,

and me

slave-traders'

and they were

they were aware that

Latooka had received

Egyptian

soldiers,

He gave me

again.

camp, which was

afraid that I

knew

might

the road.

all

the

full of

arrive, as

Tlie vakeel of

and harboured two

who had

when

of

my

deserted from Gondokoro

and joined the slave-hunters under the guidance of

a Bari.

On

1st

December, Lieutenant Baker shot a

elephant, with very large tusks

miles of head-quarters.

At

this

this

fine bull

was within four

season they were

CHAP.

A NIGHT VISIT FROM ELEPHANTS.

XIII.]

433

very numerous in the neighbourhood of Goudokoro.

During

my

absence to the south of Regiaf, there had

been a curious nocturnal alarm in the

Upon

a fine

station.

moonlight night the sentries were

astonished by the appearance of two immense

elephants, that, ha\dng

marched along the

cliff,

bull

took

the fort in the rear on the river side.

The

fort

was a redan, open

at the river base

thus,

unheeding the sentry, the elephants coolly walked into

the

centre.

The

responded to by the guard

a sharp

The

fire

musket was immediately

sentry's
;

the buglers, startled

by

of musketry, blew the alarm.

elephants,

now alarmed

onwards, but upon

in their turn, rushed

ascending the

earthwork, they

were met by a deep yawning ditch, which they could

not

cross.

The whole

force turned out,

and the

at-

tack on the thick-skinned intruders became general.

The

bullets flew so wildly that

it

was more dangerous

for bystanders than for the elephants.

In

the

meanwhile,

charged wildly in

all

the

directions,

but were invariably

stopped by the ditch and rampart, until at

happened

by

to find the right

their original entrance,

animals

panic-stricken

direction,

last

they

and retreated

most probably not much

the worse for the adventure.

INIr.

Higginbotham, who

VOL.

I.

gave

me

this

account,

F F

ISMAILIA.

434

[chap. XIII

described the excitement of the troops as so intense,

that they let their muskets

dom

and

thick were the

so

completely at ran-

off

direc-

bullets in his

that he was obliged to take shelter behind

tion,

white-ant

hill.

had no time

to

devote

to

elephant-shooting,

otherwise I might have killed a considerable

not good hunters, and they merely

phants in

pitfalls

catch

therefore, being free

number

The Baris

neighbourhood of Gonclokoro.

in the

are

the ele-

from attack,

exceedingly daring, and are easy

these animals are

apjDroach.

to

They

are generally attracted

by the

ripe lalobes,

the fruit already described of the heglik {Balanites

Egi/ptiaca).

The

quently torn

down

that

would

if

of

medium

size,

are fre-

for the sake of this small produc-

appear too

for

the

once had an opportunity of witnessing an

ele-

tion,

insignificant

huge an animal.

notice of so
I

trees,

phant's strength exerted in his search for this small

fruit.

was

in the

Shir country, and one evening,

accompanied by Lieutenant Baker,

forest,

for

I strolled into

about half a mile from our

vessels,

to

the

watch

waterbuck {Redunca EllipsiioTymna) in a small

glade where

We

had shot one on the previous evening.

had not long been concealed, when

heard

ELEPHANT GATHERS

CHAP, xin.]

FRUIT.

4^5

a peculiar noise in the thick forest that denoted the

approach of elephants.

We

some

rising

ground about

rifles

would have

been useless against such heavy game.

In a short

150

at once retreated to

paces

and

of the covert,

moved slowly towards

a

one of extraordinary

size

he halted beneath

until

us,

This tree must have been

spreading heglik.

tall,

from various por-

elephants appeared

time several
tions

our small

distant, as

nearly three feet in diameter, and was about thirty

feet high

was

ground

from the

to

the

branch

first

it

therefore impossible for the elephant to gather the

coveted

fruit.

To

root

up such a

been out of the question, and

thought

that

have efiected
time,

as

power

the
it.

though

any

he

eff"ect

timber,

average

could

not

which was

size

of

park-

quivered in every branch to such a degree,

that had a person taken refuge

and thought himself secure

have found

When

for a short

this large tree,

equal in appearance to the

could

then butted his

forehead suddenly against the trunk.

have believed the

animal

The elephant paused

considering

have

should not

of

would have

tree

it

the

individually

difficult to

lalobes

fall,

in

from an elephant,
the

top,

he

would

hold on.

they must be picked up

and although the trouble appears

F F 2

dis-

ISMAILLA.

436

[chap.

proportioned to the value of the

so

much
Near

there

fruit,

xm.

no food

is

coveted by elephants.
this spot,

on the following day,

adventure with a hippopotamus.

same place where

had a

had gone

close

to the

had seen the elephants, and

was

returning through the forest within a few yards of the

river margin,

when, upon suddenly turning round a

dense thorn-bush,
large

came within four

or five paces of a

This animal had

hi23popotamus.

1)ull

river for

left

the

an eveninsf ramble on the shore, and was

munching some succulent grass with such gusto that he

had not heard

my

come upon him exactly

my

Unfortunately,

approach.

at right angles,

shot to the temple.

This

had

which restricted

the most difficult of

is

penetration in the hippopotamus.

I

my

only had the " Dutchman," and

Monsoor carried a snider

armed

rifle

we were badly

thus

for so impenetrable a beast.

fired just in

front of the ear, certainly within fifteen

only

efiect

feet.

The

produced was a shake of his head, and he

appeared

rather

stupid, as

left-hand

barrel

followed

Monsoor

attendant

fired

though

stunned.

The

quickly upon

the right.

"

Dutchman,"

with his snider.

The

being a breechloader, was ready again, and we fired

into this stu23id-looking brute as

a target,

and with about the same

though he had
effect.

been,

CHAP,

IMPENETRABLE HIPPOPOTAMUS.

xiii.]

437

Suddenly, as though we had just awakened him, he

turned round and bolted into a dense mass of thorns,

about thirty paces before

us.

In the meantime, the troops at the vessels, that

were within about 300 paces, having heard the rapid

and continued

supposed that

firing,

rescue.

men

through the bush at

had moved from

slowly

by

forward,

"The

at-

heard the bugle, and presently

the voices of the

had been

The "Forty Thieves" rushed

tacked by the natives.

to the

his

as they approached,

thorny retreat, and was walking

when

Forty,"

The hippopotamus

speed.

full

running

was

he

some

of

stumbled

whom

against

ran

literally

jigainst him.

The animal appeared quite stunned and

stupid,

he merely stood and stared at his

new

The sight was

Every

fired into

him

perfectly ridiculous.
;

and

assailants.
rifle

was

but the hollow bullets of the sniders

had no penetration, and

we might

as

well

have

peppered the stone bulls of Nineveh, in the British

Museum.

At

length, after having been the centre of

a blaze of fireworks, as every

him during a space

approached

the

man

of about

edge of the

did his best to

clilT,

kill

minute, he coolly
wliicli

was quite

perpendicular and about eighteen feet high.

A tremendous

splash was the end of the encounter.

ISMAILIA.

438

[chap. XIII.

committed himself to the deep, with a

as tlie hij)po

clumsy jump from the midst of the

disappointed

soldiers.

was constantly annoyed by the want of penetra-

tion of the

Boxer hollow

carried three

"

The

bullets.

Dutchman

"

drachms of No. 6-grain powder, which

should have driven a soHd bullet through a large

antelope

but the hollow Boxer projectile invariably

disappeared in small fragments upon striking a bone

or

it

expanded, and had no further penetrating power

after striking a thick hide.

The

sniders, although admirable military

possessed a very small power of penetration.

weapons,
I

have

frequently seen the bodies of natives with only one

bullet-mark

and

have extracted bullets that ought

to have passed completely through.

My

" Forty Thieves " were

now proud

selves as experienced in various sports,

of them-

and they were

terribly disgusted at the escape of the hippopotamus.

They were never

idle for a single day.

work was on hand,

I practised

them

they were treated to a few hours'

Sometimes

If

no other

at the target, or

drill.

took them fishing

this

was always a

great amusement, as the expedition was well furnished

with

nets.

There was

small

lake

near

my

station

that

CHAP.

THE FISHERMAN, HOWARTI.

XIII.]

abounded

in fish.

One

of

my

diahbeeah was a professional

from a race of

this calling.

439

belonging to the

sailors

descended

fisherman,

had therefore intrusted

him with the charge

of the nets.

the diahbeeah were

good men, but the fisherman,

All the sailors of

He was

Howarti, was the best of the picked crew.

a Nubian, born in Khartoum, and of an exceedingly

His style of beauty was rather spoiled

light colour.

by the

loss of

appearance

one eye, and altogether his personal

was not

attractive

strong, although a small

he was very

but

man, and

any case

in

emergency he was the most active and

sailor.

Howarti was always the

overboard with the tow rope, when

fii'st

intelligent

man

leap

to

became neces-

it

sary to drag the vessel against wind and stream

was, like

all

of

he

Nubians, an admirable swimmer.

Our comfort had depended much upon

this

man

throughout the expedition, as he was the only person

who

Thus he

could properly throw a casting-net.

had always supplied us with excellent

fish.

often

admired his perseverance, when, after twenty or thirty

barren casts, he rested for a while, cleaned his net,

and waded,

in

spite of crocodiles,

to

seek

a more

likely spot to catch fish for breakfast, at a time

this

when

meal would depend entirely upon his success.

At such times

frequently advised

him

as a

good

440

ISMAILIA.

Mohammedan
before
I

gave liim

and he
fish

to say " Bismillah " (in the

threw the

lie

tliis

name

of

God)

On

the

first

had

liad

extremely bad luck,

net.

advice, he

me

told

[chap. xiir.

occasion, before

that " somethine^ was wrono- with the

he had thrown his net for an hour without

" as

catching anything except a few uneatable spike-fish.

I

advised him to come with

and having rowed a short

a sand-bank in

me

distance,

bend of the

the

in the

dingy

arrived

v>'e

at

Here we

river.

landed, and I found fault with Howarti for omitting

to say

" Bismillah

" Will
" Try,"

do any good

it

"
!

replied

hammedans

"

now

"

said the profane Howarti.

you know the opinion of MoHowarti,

then,

and throw just in that hole

Spin your net so that

it

say

close

shall not

"Bismillah!"

shall fall perfectly round,

ejaculated

forward

" Bismillah

described

so that

your

disturb the fish."

cautiously

"

Bismillah,'

the weeds.

to

and advance very quietly to the edge,

shadow

'

to

Howarti,

and he crept

very likely-looking hole.

and with a dexterous throw, the net

an

exact

circle

as

it

fell

evenly upon

the water.

No

sooner had the fisherman

the crown

line,

when

commenced

to tighten

the rapid and powerful jerks

showed that he had somethins: good within

his net.

"

HOWAETI EXCLAIMS " BISMILLAH

ciiAP. XIII.]

"

Now, Howarti, look sharp

sand

the bottom

441

.'"

is

clean

haul away, and don't give them time to burrow

beneath the leads."

Howarti hauled away, and as the net came near

the

shore,

ing

the

and

The

seen.

fine

the

came

net

in

and we counted up-

sand-bank,

clean

wards of forty
pounds,

such a splashing and jump-

had rarely

he

as

upon

there was

several

boulti,

about

smallest

of

about four

half

pound

weight.

Howarti,
piously,

future

having

" El

his

hambd-el-Illah

shall

always say

Howarti cleaned
a basket, and
to keep

counted

them

his net

'

fish,

and

"

Bismillah

little

added

" In

'
!

the fish were placed in

WTre covered with some river-weed

fresh.

Once more the fisherman arranged

his arm,

exclaimed,

his

net upon

and cautiously approached a most inviting

nook, where some large

lotus leaves floating

on the surface denoted a medium depth.

"

Now

then, Howarti, throw very carefully, so as to

spread your net in that open space

and take care

among

to avoid the leaf stems that

the

lilies,

would

lift

the leads."
" Bismillah
rirrlr.

"

away

flew the net, which

pxactlv in the spot desired.

fell in

442

ISMAILIA.

was amusing

It

tenance

watch the usually

to

Howarti,

of

[chap. xiti.

stolid

coun-

was now expressive of

that

intense curiosity.

The crown-line jerked and tugged even more than

the

at

Howarti

lucky throw.

first

cautiously landed his

It

net.

and

cleverly

contained a regular

" miraculous draught," including a Nile carp of about

nine pounds,
" That will do, Howarti,"
fish

enough

well as for the officers of

laid

upon grass

in

"we have

people on the diahbeeah, as

for all the

would not contain them

exclaimed

'

The

Forty.' "

The basket

therefore the larger fish were

the bottom of the boat, and

we

returned home.

Howarti now divided the

and explained
efiect of the

fish

according to orders,

to the delighted

crowd the extraordinary

" Bismillah,"

which insured a netful

word

at every cast.

On

the following morning, at sunrise, the

Howarti went

out

accompanied by a

as

sailor,

usual

who

with

his

now

pious

casting-net,

carried the largest basket

he could procure.

We

had moved our

sand-bank

in

position,

and there was no

the neighbourhood.

After an absence of about two hours, Howarti returned, together with his companion and the

large

CHAP,

UOWARTI DISTRUSTS "BISMILLAH."

xiii.]

This

basket.

sufficient for

contained

hardly

fish

our breakfast.

" Ah, Howarti

Mussulman

few small

443

"

"

exclaimed,

you are a bad

you have forgotten to say

'

Bismillah.'

" Indeed," replied the dejected fisherman,

peated
saying

them
'

Bismillah' at every cast

'

Bismillah

'

in

the

Bismillah

'

deep water

in

deep,

and

can

but

it's

"I

his

re-

of no use

nothing will catch

them without

catch

in the shallows."

'

Howarti was not a fanatical Mohammedan.

fellow

"

Poor

he never lived to return with us to Khartoum

melancholy death

will

be described hereafter.

In fishing in the lake, Howarti had the usual charge

We

of the proceedings.

neck of land from the

in

the

lake,

length along

water about

we

dragged a boat across the

and having launched

river,

it

laid

a stop-net 140 yards in

the bank of

bullrushes that grew in

first

five feet

deep

this

was

to stop the fish

from running into the rushes on the advance of the

drag-net.

We now

dragged a portion of

stop-net, intending to land

it

tlie

lake towards the

upon an

incline

where

the water was extremely shallow.

The

" Forty Thieves " hauled

until the net

immense

fish

came

close in.

away

steadily

enough

At that moment

several

dashed about within the narrowed

in-

ISMAIL! A.

444
closure

[chap, xiik

these created such excitement, that the

men

rushed into the water to secure them, which ended in

the esca^ie of the greater portion of the

The next haul was very

for

fish.

and

successful,

after fishing

about two hours, we caught 434 fine

which weighed

and another

40lbs.

26lbs.

fish,

one of

sent 200

to head-quarters for the troops.

The greater number

of these

were boulti and

fisli

baggera, both of which are species of perch, and are delicious eating.
five
size,
I

have never seen a boulti larger than

pounds, but the baggera grows to an immense

and

have seen them about 150lbs. or more.

once weighed a baggera upwards of

13()lbs.,

but they

are said to attain a weight of several hundreds.

I

have

formerly

salmon-coloured

the

described
in

fish

"

beauty of this

The Nile Tributaries of

Abyssinia."
It is

well

known

that in

all

species of fish differs in flavour

to the water in

which

it

is

countries the

and quality according

caught

and baggera are almost worthless

compared with the same
Travellers

may

worthless, because

when they had

I

thus the boulti

in the lower Nile,

fish of the

often unjustly
it

same

upper

river.

condemn a

may have been

out of season

the opportunity of eating

never tasted any fresh-water

fish

fish as

it.

superior to a

CHAP,

FISH OF THE UPPER NILE.

xiii.]

and smoked

slightly salted,

boulti,

445
twelve

for

or

eighteen hours.

In hot climates

all

back, and then laid open

and should

for a

lie

should be split

fish
;

down

the

they should then be salted

few hours to drain

after which,

they should be hung over the smoke of a dry-wood

fire.

This treatment renders them delicious for immediate

use,

but

if

required to keep, they must be

smoked

for

a couple of days, and then be highly dried in the sun.

The 14th December was the Mohammedan holiday

called the "

Ume

el

Ete," on which day every person,

however poor he or she

in

new

We

may

supposed to dress

be, is

clothes.

had now been upwards of twelve months with-

out communication

with

Khartoum.

clothes were reduced to rags,

much from hard work and

The whole

force

was

soldiers'

they had suffered

as

fighting in thorny bush.

in despair

they were in arrears

of pay, they were without clothes

close at hand,

The

the festival was

and instead of turning out

in finery,

they would be dirty, dingy, and ragged.

Every one was downcast.

possibly start w^th

government

me

The troops could not

to the interior, to represent the

in a state of rags or nudity.

ISMAIL'iA.

446

On

13th December, the clay preceding the

fortunately had

army

clothing

general

and

had

pur-

connection with

no

stores

that

stores

the

which should have been

Khartoum.

from

troops

the

for

The

that could he required.

England had

in

supplied

all

and

merchandize
chased

festival,

the officers to the magazine, in which

summoned

[chap. XIII.

owing

supply had been impossible

to the

This

state

of

the river.
I
I

served out

new

clothing for the entire expedition.

arranged that 212

pany me

to the

flannel shirts

ceived

all

officers

interior.

and white

that

and men should accom-

To these
trousers.

they required,

gave scarlet

The

officers

re-

and the men were

allowed to purchase from the government stores any

articles that

they considered necessary for themselves

or their wives.

On

14th December the cannons fired at sunrise to

proclaim the holiday.

rode up to head-quarters and

inspected the troops on parade,

forms.

Every man was

in a

all

in their

new

uni-

good humour, and they

burst out into three cheers as I completed the inspection and addressed a few words to them.

The men's wives were decked

colours,

and were happy

of red and yellow.

out with gaudy

in proportion to the

amount

GEXEBAL CONTENTMENT.

CHAP, xni.]

The troops and

sailors

447

were astonished at the un-

failing contents of the

magazines, which established

confidence that should

we be

positively cut off from

communication with Khartoum, we were never-

all

theless independent of supplies.

Everything was in order in Gondokoro.

tives

were at peace

food was abundant

The na-

the station

securely fortified.
1

now determined

to penetrate into the south,

to carry a steamer in sections to N.

lat.

3 32',

where

she would be constructed by the Englishmen,

launched on the navigable river above the

racts,

to

and

and

last cata-

open the communication with the Albert

N'yanza.
All intrigues

been overcome.

men were

and opposition to the expedition had

Although

my

full of confidence,

wheresoever

might

force

small,

and promised

lead.

END OF

was

VOL.

I.

the

to follow

LONDON

AND TAV1.0R, PRINTKKS

BRKAD STREET nil.L

K. CLAY, SONS,

Bedford Street, Strand, London, W.C.

October 1874.

MACM

ILL AN

&

CATALOGUE of VVovks

Co:S

m the Departments

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Travels, Critical and Literary Essays,

Social Economy,
Politics, Political and
Law, etc.; and Works connected with LanWith some short Account or
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Critical Notice concerning each Book.

HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELS

Arnold. essays in criticism.

New Edition, with Additions. Extra

&c.

By Matthew Arnold
fcap. 8vo.

(a.

are ''The

Function of Criticism at
The Essays in this Volume
Time;" '' The Literary Influence of Academies -^ ''Maurice
de Guain ;" "Eugenie de Gtierin ;" " Ileinrich Heine;" ''Pagan
and Mediaz'al ;" "Peligious Sentiment;" " foubert ;" "Spinoza and

the Present

Both from the subjects dealt 7vith

the Bible;" "Marcus Aurelius."
and mode of t7-eatment, few books ate more calculated to delight
inform, and stimulate than these charming Essays.

Atkinson. AN ART TOUR TO NORTHERN CAPITALS

OF EUROPE, including Descriptions of the Towns, the Museums,
and other Art Treasures of Copenhagen, Christiana, Stockholm,
Abo, Helsingfors, Wiborg, St. Petersburg, Moscow, and Kief.

By

J.

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" Although

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main

ptirposc of the book

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A.

2.

8vo.

wc are travelling

\2s.

is strictly
-ivith

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a student

and

and we

connoisseur,

MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF WORKS IN

Mr. Atkinson

gives variety to his fiarrative by glimpses of scenery

brief allusions to history

they occur,

and

and

are nruer wordy or overdone.

a book in lohich what

is

and what

principal

is

better proportion to each o^/^t-/-." Saturday

Baker

(Sir

and

always luelcome when

We have seldom met with
accessory have been keft in

?)ianners ivhich are

Review.

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by Sir Samuel Baker,

M.A., F.R.G.S.:

THE ALBERT N'YANZA

tion of the Nile Sources.

Crown
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Bruce won

Great Basin of the Nile, and Explora-

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Maps and

Illustrations.

6^.

Blue Nile ; Speke and Grant won the

White Nile ; and I have been permitted to

the source of the

Victoria source of the great

succeed in completing the N'ile

Sources by the discovery of the great

from which the

reservoir of the equatorial -waters, the Albert N''yanza,

river

issues

as

the

ztritten;" says the

entire

White

Spectator,

Nile."

"full,

PREFACE,

" Charmingly

as might be expected, of inci-

and free fi-om that wearisome reita-ation of useless facts which

the drawback to ahnost all books of African travel.''''

dent,

THE NILE TRIBUTARIES OF ABYSSINIA,

Hunters of the Hamran Arabs.

Crown

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is

and the Sword

With Maps and

Illustrations.

6s.

Sir Samuel Baker here describes twelve months'' exploration, during

which he examined the rivers that are tributary to the N'ile from Abyssi7iia.
The Times says : ^' It solves finally a geographical riddle which hitherto
had been extremely perplexing, and it adds much to our ir^ormation
respecting Egyptiaii Abyssinia and the different races that spread ovei' it.
It contains, moreover, some notable instances of English da)-ing and
enterp7-ising skill ;

it

abounds in animated

tales

of exploits dear

to

the

heart of the British sportsman ; and it will attract even the least studious
reader, as the author tells a story well, and can describe nature with uji"

common po^cer.

Baring-Gould (Rev. S., M. A.) LEGENDS OF OLD

TESTAMENT CHARACTERS, from the Talmud and other
By the Rev. S. Baring-Gould, M.A., Author of
" Curious Myths of the Middle Ages," " The Origin and Develop-

sources.

HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELS, ETC.

ment of Religious

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Belief,"

i6j'.

Vol.

" In Exitu
I.

Adam

In

Israel," &c.

to

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Two

Vol.

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Vols.

Mel-

chizedek to Zechariah.

Mr. Baring- Gould's previous contributions to the History of Mythology

and the formation of a science of comparative religion are admitted to be
of high importance ; the present work, it is believed, will be found to
be of equal value.
He has collected from the Talmud and other sources,
yru.'ish and Mohammedan, a large number of curious and inte7-esting
legends concerning the principal characters of the Old Testament, cotnfaring these frequently with similar legends current among many of the
peoples, savage and civilized, all oz'er the world.
These volumes contain
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'

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and less

letters

are the exact account of a lady's experience of the brighter

They record the expeditions, aa-

practical side of colonization.

and emergencies diversifying the daily life of the wife of a New

Zealand sheep farmer ; and, as each was written while the novelty and
excitement of the scenes it describes were fresh upon her, the)> may succeed

ventures,

adequate impression of the delight and fretfar remoz'ed frotn our own highly-wrought civiliza^'IFe have never read a more tmthful or a pleasanter little book."

in giving here in

dom of an
tion.

England an

existence so

Athen.t;um.

Blanford (W. T.) CEOLOGV AND

ABYSSINIA.

By W.

This work contains an

Ohsei-uations

made

T.

Blanford.

account of the

Svo.

ZOOLOGY OF
21s.

Geological

and

Zoological

when accompanying the

Magdala and back in 1868, and during a

by the author in Abyssinia,

Army on its march to

journey in Northern Abyssi/iia, after the departure of the troops.
Parti. Personal Narrative; Part II. Geology; Part III. Zoology.
^* The result
IVith Coloured niustrations and Geological Map.
of his
labours,'^
the ACADEMY says, "is an impfirttmt contribution to the
natural history of the country."
British

s-hert

MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF WORKS IN

essays by the late GEORGE BRIMLEY,

Brimley.
M.A.

Edited by the Rev.

Cheaper Edition.

The Essays contained in

and were

W.

Fcap. 8vo.
this

G. Clark,

M.A.

With

Portrait.

2s. 6d.

volume are

all

more or

less critical,

contributed by the author to some of the leading periodieals

The
of the day.
Poems," *^ Poetry
Carlyle's

''Life

" Tennyson's Poems," " WordswortK

" The Angel in the House,''
of Sterling," "-Esmond," ''My Novel," "Bleak
subjects are,

and

Criticis?n,"

"Westward Ho!"

House,"

"Nodes Ambrosiance,"

Wilson's

Cotnt^s

"It will," John Bull says, "be a satisadmirers of sound criticism and unassuming common

"Positive Philosophy."
faction to the

find that the Essays of the late Geofge Brimley have reappeared
They will give a healthy stimulus to
that spirit of inquiry into the real value of our literary men whose
sense to

in a

new and popular form.

names we

too often revere

without sufficient investigation."

the holy Roman empire.

Bryce.

By james bryce,

D.C.L., Regius Professor of Civil Law, Oxford.

Revised and Enlarged.
Crown 8vo. yj. bd.

the

Fourth Edition

This edition contains a supplementary chapter giving a brief sketch of

7-ise of Prussia, and of the state of Germany under the Corfederation

which expired in 1866, and of the

regained
treatise

its

is

political

not so ttiuch

to

whereby the German nation has

steps

unity in the

new Empire.

The

object

of the

give a narrative history of the countries

Empire Italy during the Middle

Germany from the ninth century to the nineteenth as to describe
the Holy Empire itself as an institution or system, the wondetftd offspring
of a body oj beliefs and traditions which have almost wholly passed away
from the world. "It exactly supplies a want : it affoi-ds a key to much
zvhich men read of in their books as isolated facts, but of which they
have hitherto had no connected exposition set before them.
We knotu of no
writer who has so thoroughly grasped the real nature of the medieval
Empiie, and its relations alike to eailier and to later times. " Saturday
Review.
included in the Romano-Germaftic

Ages,

Burke.

EDMUND

MORLEY,
" The
point.

BURKE,

B. A., Oxon.

style is terse

and

Its sustained power

Crown
incisive,

Historical

8vo.

and

of reasoning,

7^.

brilliant
its

Study.

By JoH.\

dd.

with

epigram

and

wide sweep of observation

HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELS, ETC.

and

and social tone, stamp it as a work of

"^ model of conipact conReview.
densation.
We have seldom met with a book in which so much matter
was compressed into so limited a space." Pall Mall Gazette. "An
essay of unusual effort.'''
WESTMINSTER Review.
reflection, its elevated ethical

high excellence."

SATURDAY

Burrows. WORTHIES OF ALL SOULS

English History.

Illustrated

Montagu Burrows,

Four Centuries of

from the College Archives.

By

Chichele Professor of Modern History at

Oxford, Fellow of All Souls.

8vo.

14J.

" All Souls has sent forth from its walls in every age an ample supply
of men who have done good service in a great variety of departments in
To bring these out into clear relief, to show what
Chtuch and State.
manner of men they were, and what were the ways and habits, the
struggles

and difficulties, of

the society in which they were nurtured, has

been the object of Air. Burroivs,

and he has fulfilled it,

complete, but also in a tnost agreeable fashion.

While

not only in a most

.

most amusing

throws a flood of light,

which the historical student will eagerly welcome, on some obscure pas-

as well as a most instructive book.

it

sages and some famous personages, it is at the same time so lightly and
smoothly written that the general reader, if he once takes it up, will not
find it easy to lay it down till he has finished it." Guardian.

CarStareS.

WILLIAM CAR.STARES:

of the Revolutionary

Epoch (1649 1715).

Minister of Rosneath.

" William had,

possessed

hoivevcr,

8vo.

a Character and Career

By Robert Story,

12s.

one Scottish adviser

more influence than any of the

Carstares, one of the most remarkable

who

deserved

ostensible ministers.

men of

that age.

He

and

This was
united great

and the firm

shrewdness and suppleness of

scholastic attainments with great aptitude for civil btisiness,

and ardent zeal of a martyr, with the

a consummate politician. In courage and fidelity he resembled Burntt
but he had what Burnet wanted, judgment, self-command, and a singular
There was no post to zvhich he might not have
power of keeping secrets.

faith

aspired if he

had

Macaulay's

been a

layman, or a priest of the Church of England."

History of England.

"

MACMILLAX'S CATALOGUE OF WORKS IN

Chatterton

a biographical study.

Wilson, LL.D

Crown

University College, Toronto.

The author here

By Danifx

Professor of Historj' and English Literature in

8vo.

6j'.

Chatterton as a Poet,

7-egards

6d.

not as a

"viere

and defaeer oj stolen literary treasu7-es." jRevieiued in this light,

he has found much in the old materials capable of being turned to
nezii account : and to these 7>iaterials research in various directions has
Z!^^ Examiner thinks this ^'the
enabled him to make some additions.
most complete and the purest biography of the poet 'cvhich has yet
resetter

appeared.

Cooper.
ATHENE CANTABRIGIENSES. By Charles
Henry Cooper, F.S.A., and Thompson Cooper, F.S.A.
Vol.

I,

8vo.,

150085,

iSj.

Vol.

II.,

1586 1609,

i8j-.

dedicated by permission to Lord Macaulay,

men sent forth by Cambridge, after the
fashion of Anthony h Wood, in his famous " A thence Oxonienses."

This elaborate work, ivhich

is

contains lives of the eminent

Cox
By

{G.

v.,

M. A.) RECOLLECTIONS OF OXFORD.

Cox, M.A.,

G. V.

New

College,

Esquire Bedel and

late

Coroner in the University of Oxford. Cheaper

Editiott.

Crown

8vo.

6j.
^'

An

amusingJarrago of anecdote, and will pleasantly recall

TiMES.

a country parsonage the me?nory of youthful days."

in

many

"Daily News." the daily news correspondENCE of the War between Germany and France, 1870 Edited
i.

with Notes and Comments.

Volume.

With Maps and

New

Plans.

Edition.

Cro-wn 8vo.

Complete

in

One

6s.

This Correspondence has been translated into German.

In a Preface

the Editor says:

" Among

the various pictures, recitals,

and

descriptions

which have

appeared, both of our gloriously ended national war as a whole, and of its
several episodes, we think that in laying before the German public, through

a translation, thefollowing War Letters which appearedfirst in theTiKiix

News, and were aftenvards published collectiz ely, we are offering them a

HISTORY, BIOGRAPHV, TRAVELS, ETC.

war of a tjuite peculiar character.

These coni'
munications have the advantage of being at once entertaining and instructive, free fro/n roery romantic embellishment, and neva'theless -written

picture of the et'eats of the

and not fatiguing to the general reader. The luriters

and do not disdain to surround the g7-eat and heroic
arabesques, gay and grave, taken frorn camp-life afid

in a vein intelligible
linger over

ez^ents,

war-pictures ivith
the

life

of the inhabitants of the occupied

territory.

distinguishes these Letters from all other delineations of the

do

tiot proceed

from a

single pen, but were writttu

" These notes

belligerents."

Review, " are

and comments,"

in reality a vejy well executed

Dilke. GREATER BRITAIN.

speaking Countries during 1866-7.

from

feature xvhich

war is

the

according

to

the

and continuous

Record of Travel

history."

in

English-

Sixth Edition,

" Mr. Dilke," says the Saturday Review, " has -written a book -which
probably as well worth reading as any book of the same aims and

character that ever -was written.

lively

and

agreeable style, that

that no page of

it

Its merits

it

fails to shozu

it

and

thatft

an

on perhaps the most

is

Englishman -who

and such

as no

can afford

man

trait

written in a

judgment of the reader,

can attract an

interesting subject that

^'

Jl/any of the subjects dis-

Daily News, "are of

the -widest interest,

-who cares for the future of his race

and of

the

world

to treat -with indifference."

Drummond
LIFE

it is

acute an.i highly intelligent observer,

cares about his country."

cussed in these pages," says the

'*

are that

implies a great deal of physical pluck,

stimulates the imagination as -well as the

that

'

both

SATURDAY

(America, Australia, India.)

By Sir Charles \Yent\vorth Dilke, M.P.

Crown S%o. 6j.

is

that they

camps of

of Hawthornden
THE STORY OF HIS
AND WRITINGS. By Professor Masson. With Por:

and Vignette engraved by C. H. Jeens. Crown Svo.

Professor

together with

lOj-.

6d.

Masson has given a very complete and accurate biography,

some equally interesting

episodes respecting a great variety of

the literary aiid other distinguished characters of the period."

Morning

" Around his hero. Professor Masson groups national and individual episodes and sketches of character, which are of the greatest interest,
and -which add to the value of a biographical -work -which -we warmly recommend to the loz-ers of thoroughly healthy books." 'S 01 .s AND QUERIES.
Post.

MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF WORKS IN

THE LIFE OF

Diirer (Albrecht). HISTORY OF

BRECHT DURER,
Letters and Journal,

AL-

Numberg.
With a Translation of his
and some account of his Works.
By Mrs.
of

Charles Heaton. Royal

8vo. bevelled boards, extra

gilt.

31^.6^,

This work contains about Thirty Illustrations, ten of which art produclions by the Autotype {carbon) process, and are printed in permatient tints

by Messrs. Cundall and Fleming, under licence from the Autotype Company, Limited ; the rest are Photographs and Woodcuts.

Elliott.
LIFE OF HENRY VENN ELLIOTT, of Brighton.
By JosiAH Bateman, M.A., Author of "Life of Daniel Wilson,
With Portrait, engraved by Jeens.
Bishop of Calcutta," &c.
Extra fcap. Svo.
'^

Third and Cheaper Edition, with Appendix.

6j'.

very charming piece of religious biography; no one can read

and profit." 'Q^yii^w Quarterly Review.

it

without both pleasure

European History,

Nan-ated

in

E.

M. Sewell and C. M, Yonge.

Second

Series,

When young children

vie^v

Historical

6j.

crown Svo.

6^.

Third Edition.

have acquired the outlines of history fi-om abridgit beco?nes desirable to give a more enlarged

and

catechisms,

and

of the

subject, in

order

ments

First Series,

1088-1228, crown Svo.

of

Series

Edited and arranged by

Selections from the best Authorities.

to re7ider it really useful

difficulty often arises as to the choice

of

books.

and

To remedy

interesting, a

this difficulty,

continuous and chronological, have in the present volume been

Jrom the larger works of Freeman, Milman, Falgrave, Lingard,
Hume, and others, which may serve as distinct landmarks of his" We know of scarcely anything," says the Guardian,
torical reading.

selections,

taken

"
of this volume, which is so likely
standard of English education.''''

to

raise to

a higher

level the

average

Fairfax (Lord). a LIFE OF THE GREAT LORD FAIR.

FAX, Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the Parliament of
England. By Clements R. Markham, F.S.A,
With Portraits,
Maps, Plans, and Illustrations. Demy Svo.
16^.
No full
and

it is

Life of the great Parliamentary Cojntnatider has appeared

based upon careful 7-esearch in con-

here sought to produce one

HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELS, ETC.

temporary records and upon family arid other documents.
useful to the carefnl student of the History of the Civil War.
bably as a military chronicle

and accurate
Review.

Faraday.

Mr. Jilarkham's

that 'we possess about the

MICHAEL

book

Civil

is

J.

" Highly
.

Pro-

one oj the most fidl

War."

FARADAY. By

Fortnightly

H.

Gladstone,

Ph.D., F.R.S. Second Edition, with Portrait engraved by Jeens

from a photograph by J. Watkins. Crown 8vo. 4^. 6d.

PORTRAIT.

Artist's Proof.

S^.

Contents : /. The

II. Sttidy of his Character.

Story of his Lije.
V. The
IV. His Method of WHting.
III. Fruits of his Experience.
List
Supplementary Portraits. Appendices
Value of his Discoveries.

of Honorary Fello^oships, etc.

" Faraday needed a popular biography.
as well as so strong in

A man

intellect, so absolutely

sake alone, so utterly indifferent

to

wealth

so simple

and so pure,
own

devoted to science for its

and social

distinction, so keen

in his appreciation of the hard facts of sensation, and yet so pa-meated with
a sense of the supra-sensual and spiritual, ought to be widely andfamiliarly

known
adapted

to the

to this

world at large ; and Dr. Gladstones book

is

excellently

;y^//." Guardian.

Forbes. LIFE and

FORBES,

letters

of JAMES

DAVID

F.R.S., late Principal of the United College

University of St. Andrews.

By

J.

in

the

C. Shairp, LL.D., Principal

of the United College in the University of St. Andrews ; P. G.

Tait, M.A., Professor of Natural Philosophy in the University
8vo. with
of Edinburgh; and A. Adams-Reilly, F.R.G.S.
Portraits, Map, and Illustrations, xds.
Not ottly a biography that all should read, but a scientific treatise,
without which the shelves of no physicist's library can be deemed com'

'

plete."

St.vndard.

Freeman. Works by Edward A. Freeman, M.A., D.C.L. :

HISTORICAL ESSAYS. By Edward Freeman, M.A., Hon.
D.C.L., late Fellow of Trinity College, Oxford.
8vo.

Second Edition.

ictf. 6(/.

the author's contriThis volume contains twelve Essays selected from

they -were chosen
which
on
principle
The
Ra'ie-M.
various
butions to

MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF WORKS IN

10

Freeman
was

(E. A.)

continued.

that of selecting papers which re/erred to cotnparatively 7nodern

The
to the existing states and nations op Europe.

times, or, at least,

^^
The Mythical a7id Romantic
is a list of the subjects:/.
''
The Continuity of English
Elements in Early English History ;" II.
History;" III. '''The Relations betzveen the Crowns of Eiigland and
Scotland;" IV. "St. Thomas of Canterbury and his Biographers;"

folloiving

V. "The Reign of Edward the Third;" VI. "The Holy Rojnan

Empire;" VIL "The Franks and the Gauls;" VIII. "The Early
Sieges of Paris ;" IX. "Frederick the First, King of Italy ;" X. "The
Emperor Frederick the Second;" XI. "Charles the Bold;" XII.
" All of them are well worth reading,
^'Presidential Government."

He

nevei- touches a question without adding

our comprehension of it, without leaving the impressiofi of an ample
knowledge, a righteous purpose, a clear and poiverful understandin^r

and very

agreeable to read.

to

Saturday Review,

A SECOND SERIES OF HISTORICAL ESSAYS.

8vo.

\OS. 6d.

These Essays chiefly relate to earlier periods of history 'than those

which were dealt with in the former volume to the times commonly knoivn
Allthepapers have been carefully revised,
as "Ancient" or " Classical."

and the author has found himself able to do very much in the way of
The principal Essays are:
improving and simplifying the style.
"Ancient Greece and Mediceval Italy:" ''Air. Gladstones Homer and
" The Historians oj Athens:" " The Athenian
the Homeric Ages:"
:
Democracy " "Alexander the Great " Greece during the Macedonian
"
"lucius Cornelius Sulla :"
History
Rome:"
s
Mommsen
Period:"
of
" The Flavian Ccesars."

HISTORY OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT,

from the Foun-

dation of the Achaian League to the Disruption of the United

States.

Vol.

Federations.

I.

8vo.

General Introduction.

History of the Greek

2\s.

In writing this volume the author has endeavoured to combine a text

which fjtay be instructive and interesting to any thoughtful reader,
whether specially learned or not, with notes which may satisfy the
" The task Mr. Freeman
requirements of the jnost exacting scholar.
has undertaken" the Saturday Review j-^-i'j, " is one of great magnitude

and

irnportance.

It is

also

a task of an almost entirely novel

"

HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELS, ETC.

Freeman
character.

(E. A.)

contimud.

'work professing to give the history of a political

N^o 'other

principle occurs to us, except the slight contributions

to the history of
contained in a course of M. GicizoVs
The history of the dn'clopment of a principle is at least

representative gozicrninent that

lectures

....

is

as important as the history of a dynasty, or of a race."

OLD ENGLISH HISTORY.

Extra

Edition.

"//j

With Five Coloured Maps.

fcap. 8vo., half-bound.

object," the Preface says,

"is

to

Third

6j.

show that

clear, accurate,

and

of history, or indeed of any subject, may be easily given to

I have throughout striven to connect the
children from the very first.
history of England with the general history of civilized Eutvpe, and I have
especially tried to make the book serve as an incentive to a more accurate
The work is preceded by a complete chronostudy of historic geography."
scientific viezus

logical Table,

and appended

is

an exhaustive and

useful Index.

In

the

present edition the whole has been carefully revised, and such improz'emetits
" The book indeed is full
as suggested themselves have been introduced.

of instruction and
zvell-infonned

and more
history.

man

interest to students of all ages,

indeed

who

will not rise

accurate ideas of a too

Spectator.

much

from

its

and he

?nust be

perusal with clearer

neglected portion of English

HISTORY OF THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF \VELLS,

as illustrating the History of the Cathedral

Crown

Foundation.

8vo.

3J-.

Churches of the Old

6d.

" / have here," the author says, "tried io treat the history of the
Church of Wells as a contribution to the genn-al history of the Church
and Kingdom of England, and specially to the history of Cathedral
Churches of the Old Foundation.
I wish to point out the general
principles of the original founders as the model to which the Old Foun.

daliofis

should be brought back,

" The

and

the

New

Foundations reformed after

Mr. Freeman^ s hands a significance, and, we may add, a practical value as suggestive of what a cathedral ought to be, which make it well worthy of mention." SPECTATOR.
their pattern."

history assumes in

THE GROWTH OF THE ENGLISH CONSTITUTION

FROM THE EARLIEST TIMES. Crown 8vo. S-c Second
Edition, revised.

The author shows that the

tution are

common

to

characteristic elements

the whole of the

Aryan

of the British ConstiHis '^object has

nations.

MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF WORKS IN

12

Freeman
been to

K.) continued.

(E.

show that the

institutions

earliest

and of

of Englatid

other

Teutonic lands are not mere matters of curious speculation, but matters
closely connected with our present political being.
I wish to show " he
'

says,

'

home

in many things, our earliest institutions come more nearly

and that they have more in comtnon with our present political

that,

to us,

than the institutions of intermediate ages which at first sight seem

have much more in common zvith our otvn." He attempts to show

state,

to

that

^^

freedom

everywhere older than bondage," '^toleration than in-

is

tolerance."

THE UNITY OF HISTORY.

May

on Friday,

bridge,

"Rede"

The

Lecture
Cam-

Senate House, before the University of

delivered in the

24th, 1872.

Crown

8vo.

2s.

GENERAL SKETCH OF EUROPEAN HISTORY.

Vol.

I.

of

a Historical

Freeman.

iSmo.

The present volume

3^-.

Being
Course for Schools edited by E. A.
6d.
Third Edition.

meant

is

name

introductory to the whole course.

to be

It

a general sketch of the history of

the civilized tvorld, that is, of Europe, and of the lands which have drawn
Its object is to trace out the general relatheir civilization from Europe.

is

intended

to give,

as

its

tions of different periods

and

implies,

different countries to one another, without

going minutely into the affairs of any particular country.

This is an
ob]ect of the first importance, for, without clear notions of general history,

"It

ihe histoiy of particular countries can never be rightly understood.

supplies the great want of a good foundation for historical teaching.

scheme

is

an

way that promises much

Educational Times.

Galileo.

and

excellent one,

the

principally

for the

vohimes that are yet

his

Correspondence

daughter, Sister Maria Celeste,

S.

It

Matthew

to

appear."

private life of GALILEO.

from

in Arcetri.

has been the endeavour

With

Nun

and

in the

Portrait.

The

has been executed in a

this instalment

Compiled

of his

that

eldest

Franciscan Convent of

Crown

8vo.

7^. 6^.

oj the compiler to place before the reader

ungarbled statement of facts ; and, as a means to this end, to allow

Galileo, his friends, and his judges to speak for themselves as far as possible.

plaifi,

The Saturday Review says of

the book,

''It

is

not so

much

the

HIS TOR y, BIO GRAPH F, TRA VELS, E TC.

man who is seen in this simple and life-like sketchy

hand which portrays the features and actions is mainly that of
one ivho had studied the subject the closest "and the most intimately.
This little volume has done much within its slender co?npass to proz'e
the depth and tenderness of Galileo's heart."

philosopher as the

and

the

Gladstone (Right Hon. W. E., M.P.) JUVENTUS

MUNDI. The Gods and Men of the Heroic Age. CrowTi 8vo,
With Map.

doth.
This

li'ork

Second Edition.

los. 6d.

of Mr. Gladstone

deals especially with the historic element

and furnishing

in Homer, expoundi)ig that element

account of the Homeric

men and

the

Homeric

by

aid a full

its

It starts, after

religion.

the introductory chapter, with a discussion of the several races then existing

tn Hellas, includijig the influence of the Phoenicians

contains chapters on the Olympian system, with

and

Egyptians.

It

on the
Ethics and the Polity of the Heroic age ; on the Geography of Homer ; on
the characters of the Poems ; presenting, in fine, a vieto of primitive life
and primitive society as found in the poems of Homer. To this New
^^
Edition various additions have been made.
Seldom, says the AtweNiEUM, ^' out of the great poems themselves, have these Divinities looked
To read these brilliant details is like standing
so majestic and respectable.
on the Olympian threshold and gazing at the ineffable brightness within."
its

several deities ;

^^

"

There

writer

is,"

now

according

living

to Mt'

WESTMINSTER Review,

who could have done

the

"probably no other

work of this

book.
It would
much fulness of knowledge
and clearness of presentation.''^
.

be difficult to point out a book that contains so

along with so much preshness 0/ perception

Goethe and Mendelssohn

(18211831). Translated from the

German of Dr. Karl Mendelssohn, Son of the Composer, by

M. E. Von Glehn. From the Private Diaries and HomeLetters of Mendelssohn, with Poems and Letters of Goethe ne\ er
Also with two New and Original Portraits, Facand Appendix of Twenty Letters hitherto unpublished.
Crown 8vo. 5^. Second Edition, enlarged.

before printed.
similes,

" The volume is most welcome, giving us, as

famous musician as a boy, a

glimpses of the

above

mar

all, it

in

its

it does,

vivid though briej

youth,

and a man.

But

gives us a glozving picture of the boy Mendelssohn at Wei-

golden days.

Every page

is

full of interest, not

MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF WORKS IN

14

mo'dy

the -musician, but to the general reader.

to

charming

one,

on a

topic

of deep

and

lasting interest."

The book

a very

is

STx\.xdard.

Goldsmid. TELEGRAPH AND TRAVEL. A

Narrative of

Development of Telegraphic Communication

between England and India, under the orders of Her Majesty's
Government, with incidental Notices of the Countries traversed by
the Formation and

Sir Frederic Goldsmid, C.B. K C.S.I.,

Government Indo-European Telegraph. With
numerous Illustrations and Maps. 8vo. 2is.

By Colonel

the Lines.

late Director of the

" The second portion of the

more likely to
of bright sketches from Persia,
Ricssia, the Crimea, Tartary, and the Indian Peninsula ; both sketches
l>eifi illtoninated by a profusion of delicate woodcuts, adrtiirably drawn,
ivork, less historical, bnt

attract the general reader, is composed

and

as admirably engraved.

The merit of

the

work

is

a total

absence of exaggeration, which does not, however, preclude a vividness

vigour

style

of

not always characteristic

of similar

narratives.

and
^^

Standard.

Green. A HISTORY OF the ENGLISH PEOPLE.

the

Rev.

Schools.

J.

Crown

Green, M.A.

\Nearly ready.

8vo.

Hamerton. THE intellectual

'
'

important

stiongly te all

subject,

who can

Introduction.

from

excellently illustrated

THOUGHTS ABOUT
Crown

ART.

8vo.

and we can

the resoJirces

re-

of a jnind

keen obsei-vation of real

New

Edition,

revised,

life.''''

with an

%s. 6d.

"^

by

appreciate grave reflections on a very

much reading and much

Saturday Review.

stored with

g.

p.

Vinci, etched

IVe have read the tohole book tvith great pleasure,

it

By

life.

Hamerton. With a Portrait of Leonardo da

Leopold Flameng. Crown 8vo. \os. 6d.
ecmmend

By

For the use of Colleges and

manual of sound and thorough criticism on artr Standard.

is full of thought, and worthy of attentive consideration.^''
Daily News.
"

77/1?

book

HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELS, ETC.

15

Hole. A GENEALOGICAL STEMMA OF THE KINGS

OF ENGLAND AND FRANCE. By the Rev. C. Hole,
On

M.A., Trinity College, Cambridge.

The

Sheet,

is.

different Jamilies are pr'nited in distinguishing colours, thus facili-

tating reference.

Hozier (H. M.)

Works

by Captain Henry M. Hozier,

Lord Napier of Magdala.

late Assistant Military Secretary to

THE SEVEN WEEKS' WAR

New and
Crown

Cheaper Edition.

8vo.

With

Its

Antecedents and Incidents.

New Preface,

Maps, and Plans.

6^.

Mr. Hozier added to the kno7vledge of military operations and of

he had proz>ed himself to possess, a ready and
skilful pen, and excellent faculties of obse>~vation and desciiptiott.
All that Mr. Hozier saw of the great events of the war and he saw
a large share of them he describes in clear and vivid language.^'
Saturday Review. "Mr. Hozier' s volumes deserve to take a permanent place in the literature of the Seven Weeki War. " Pall Mall
Gazette.
'^

languages, which

" Thisf says the Spectator,

8vo.

"twV/

be the account of the

if not
Its litaary merits are really vay great."

Hughes. MEMOIR OF A BROTHER.

M.P., Author of

"Tom

George Hughes,
8vo,

^s.

" The boy

after

Compiled

9^.

sinian Expedition for professional reference,

readittg.

THE BRITISH EXPEDITION TO ABYSSINIA.

from Authentic Documents.

Abys-

for professional

By Thomas Hughes,

Brown's School Days." With Portrait of

Watts. Engraved by Jeens. Crown

Sixth Edition.

ivho can read this book without deriving

tional impulse towards honourable, manly,

from

and independent

some addi-

it

conduct, has

no good stuff in him.

While boys at school may be bewildered by
.
.
various confficting theories of the characters of the great Englishmen whom.
they have been tauglit to admire or to hate, here, in the guise of the simplest
.

and

the

most modest of country gentlemen, they

7vhich the}' cannot do better than copy.'"

mayfnd an

Daily

News.

"

exemplar
IFe have

MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF WORKS IN

i6

read

it

with the deepest gratification

"

Standard.

Morning

Hunt.

and with

biography throiighout

77/1?

is

real admiration."

with

replete

interest.''''

Post.

HISTORY

OF ITALY.

By

Being the Fourth Volume of the

Edited by

Edward

the Rev.

Flistorical

Freeman, D.C.L.

A.

" Mr. Hunt gives us a most compact but very

W. Hunt, M.A.

Course for Schools.

iSmo.

readable

3^-.

little

bock, con-

taining in small compass a vei-y cotnplete outline of a co??iplicated and

perplexitig subject.
It is a book which tnay be safely recomfnended to
others besides schoolboys."-

JOHN

Bull.

Huyshe (Captain G. L.) the red river expedition.

the

By Captain

Staff of Colonel

Crown

Cheaper Edition.

The endeavour has

dry
the

details

of

G.

Sir

been

8vo.

made

to

movements,

tnilitary

work as an account

Huyshe,

L.

calls it

^^

late

on

With Maps.

6s.

avoid tiring the gena'al reader with

and yet

not to sacrifice the character of

The volume contains

of a military expedition.

a portrait of President Louis Riel,

Athen.eum

Rifle Brigade,

Garnet Wolseley.

an enduring

and Maps of

the

route.

The

authentic record of one of the most

creditable achievements ez'cr accomplished by the British

Army."

Irving. THE ANNALS OF OUR TIME. A Diurnal of Events,

Social and Political, Home and Foreign, from the Accession of
Queen Victoria
Third Edition.

to the Peace of Versailles.

8vo. half-bound.

By Joseph Irving.

16^.

Every occurrence, metropolitan or provincial, home or foreign, which

gave rise to public excitement or discussion, or became the starting point Jor
new trains op thought affecting our social life, has been judged proper matter
In the proceedings of Parliament, an endeavour has
for this volume.
been made to notice all those Debates which were either remarkable as
affect'ing the fate ofparties, or led to important changes in our relations
with Foreign Powers. Bi'ief notices have been given of the death of all
Though the events are set doiv?i day by day in their
noteivorthy persons.
order oj occurrence, the book is, in its way, the history of an important
and well-defined historic cycle. A cotnplete and useful Index is apThe Table of Administrations is designed to assist the reader
pended.

HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELS, ETC.

17

in follmving the various political chajiges noticed in their chronological

Annals." In the nezu edition erjors and oviissions

" We have bejore us a
300 pages been added.
trusty and ready guide to the events of the past thirty years, availorder in

the

have been

^^

rectified,

able equally for

the statesmajt,

the public writer,

the politician,

If Mr. Irving' s

the general reader.

object

has been

to

the reader all the most noteivorthy occurrences which

and

bring before

have happened

since the beginning of her Majesty's reign, he tnay justly claim the credit

of having done so jnost briefly, succinctly, and simply, and in such a

manner, too, as to furnish him -with the details necessary in each case to
comprehend the event of which he is in seaich in an intelligent manner.^'
Times.

Jebb.

THE

CHARACTERS OF THEOPHRASTUS.

By R.

Notes.

An

With Introduction and

English Translation from a Revised Text.

M.A., Fellow and AssisUnt Tutor of

C. Jebb,

Trinity College, Cambridge, and Public Orator of the University.

Extra fcap. 8vo.

The

first obiect

6j. ^d.

this book is

of

Greek manners better hnoivn

to

to

make

these lively pictures

English readers.

But

of old

as the Editor

and Translator has been at considerable pains to procure a reliable

and has recorded the results of his cntical labours in a lengthy
Introduction, in Notes and Appendices, it is hoped that the work
text,

will prove of value even to the scholar.

due honour to
lation can be.
Azotes

yebb's

and

Mr.
.

yebb's translation,

Not

the critical

little

volume

is

" IVe must not omit to give

is as good as trans-

which

less
com?nendable are the execution of the
handling of the text." Spectator.
^' Mr.
more easily taken up than laid down."

Guardian.

Kingsley (Charles).

Works by the Rev. Charles Kingsley,

M.A., Rector of Eversley and Canon of Westminster.
(For
other Works by the same Author, see Theological and Belles
Lettres

Catalogues.

ON THE ANCIEN RlfcCIME

the

as

French Revolution.

Royal

Institution.

Crown

8vo.

it existed on the Continent before

Three Lectures delivered at the

6s.

These three lectures discuss severally (i)

The Explosive Forces by which the

Caste, (2) Centralization, (3)

Rez'olution ivas superinduced.

The

MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF WORKS /A

Kingsley (Charles)

continued.

some length with

'^re/ace deals at

certaiti political questions

of the present

ay.

AT LAST A CHRISTMAS
:

Fifty Illustrations.

in the

WEST INDIES.

^Yith nearly

Crown

Third and Cheaper Edition.

8vo.

6^-.

Kingsley' s d7-eam of forty years tuas at last fidfilled, ivhen he

started on a Christmas expedition to the West Indies, for the purpose of
becoming personally acquainted with the scenes zuhich he has so vividly
These two volumes are the journal of his
lescribed in " Westivard Ho !"

Mr.

,'oyage.

Records of natural history, sketches of tropical landscape, chapter's

views of society, all find their place in a 'work written, so to

m education,

say, tinder the inspiration

of Sir Walter Raleigh

and the other adventurous

hundred years ago disputed against Philip II. the possession

" We can only say that Mr. Kingsley'' s account of
if the Spanish Main.

men who

'

three

Christmas in the West Indies

among his

happiest productions.'''

is

'

in every

way

'worthy to be classed

STANDARD.

THE ROMAN AND THE TEUTON, A

delivered before the University of Cambridge.

PLAYS AND PURITANS,

Portrait of Sir

Series of Lectures

8vo.

\2s.

and other Historical Essays.

Walter Raleigh.

Crown

8vo.

With

^s.

Essay mentioned in the title, this volume contains

on "Sir Walter Raleigh and his Time," and one on
all thi-ee contributed to the North
Froude's ^^ History of England,"
liRiTlSH Review. Mr. Kingsley has already sho'wn ho'w intimate is
lis knowledge of the times on which all three essays touch.
In addition

ther two

to the

one

rCingsley (Henry, F.R.G.S.) For

Author, j^^ Belles Lettres Catalogue.

TALES OF OLD TRAVEL.

Crown

8vo.

Contents

Re-narrated by

W^ith Eight Illustrations by

F.R.G.S.

other

Works by same

Henry Kingsley,

Huard.

Fourth Edition.

ds.

Marco Polo; The

Ship'wreck oj Pelsart; The Wondcifu,

adventures of Andrew Battel; The Wanderings of a Capuchin; Peter

'harder; The Preservation of the " Terra Nova ;" Spitzbergen; D'Erine-

Lonviiy s Acclimatizatio7i Adventure ; The Old Slave Trade; Miles Philips

Ahmez ; The Founfor those 'who want

rhe Sufferings of Robert Everard ; John Fox ; Alvaro

dation of

an Empire.

"

We knew

no

better book

HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELS, ETC.

knowledge or seek

io refresh

tame compared

ivith

book to interest

and

As for

it.

ike ^sensational,' most novels are

these narratives.^'
to

do good

AtheNj^um.

intelligent

to

19

and

^^

Exactly the

high-spirited boys."

Literary Churchman.

Labouchere. DIARY OF THE besieged resident

IN PARIS.

Reprinted from the Daily Netvs, with several

Letters and Preface.

Crown
'

The

8vo.

Diary

By Henry Labouchere.

New

Third Edition.

6s.

a Besieged Resident in Paris 'cvill certainly form one

of the most remarkable records of a momentous episode in history." Spec" There is an entire absence of affectation in this writer which
tator.
z'astly commends him to us."
Pall Mall Gazette.
'

'

'

oj

Da

Leonardo

Vinci and his Works.

Life of Leonardo

Da

Vinci,

Consisting

of a

hy Mrs. Charles W. Heaton,

Author of " Albrecht Dlirer of Niirnberg," &c., an Essay on his

Scientific and Literary Works
by Charles Christopher
Black, M.A., and an account of liis more important Paintings
and Drawings. Illustrated with Permanent Photogiaphs.
Royal
8vo. cloth, extra

"

gilt.

31^'.

6d.

and within. Messrs. Macmillan

among publishers for the choice binding and printing of
their books, and this is got up in their best style.
iVo English
publication that we knoio of has so thoroughly and attractively collected
" 7 he scries of
together all that is known of Leonardo."
Times.
beautiful volume, both without

are conspicuous

photographs from engravings of Leonardo's paintings are admirably

executed ; and in addition there are reproductions of <ven greater
interest

taken directly

from

original

the painter, supof an ambitious'Jiind, but it sets out clearly

the established facts of a most fascinating hvtory."
Pall

plied by Mrs. Heaton,

and carejitlly

7 he book has a

drazuings.

The biography of

literary as well as a pictorial value.

is

tiot

Mall Gazette.

Liechtenstein. HOLLAND HOUSE.

By

Princess

Marie

Liechtenstein. With Five Steel Engravings by C. II. Jeenp,

after Paint'.n;:;s by Watts and other celebrated Artists, and
numt.rous Illustrations drawn l>y Professor P. H. Delamotte, and
V.

MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF WORKS IN

20

engraved on

Wood

by

J.

Also, an

addition to the above,

Edition containing, in

by the Woodbury-type

Illustrations

the

Steel

elegant.

W. Palmer, and Jew itt &

Medium 8vo. cloth elegant.

D. Cooper,

Third and Cheaper Edition.

Co.

Engravings.

Two

about 40
and India Proofs of
medium 4to. half morocco

process,

vols,

4J.

4/.

" The author's general tone of thought and feeling is unimpeachable ;

her animation never flags ; we feel at every step that she is thoroughly
imbued with the spirit of the place ; and she has plenty of fresh anecdote

and

pieces of information to cornpensate for the introduction of the old,

which, after all, are frequently acceptable as saving the trouble of reference.

she

may

When

every strictly just exception shall have been taken,

be conscientiously congratulated by the

most scrupulous

critic

on

and attractive
^'Jtwotdd take up more room than we can spare to
book."
Times.
enumerate all the interesting suggestions and notes which are to be found
There is a correspondence between Moore and the thi?-d
in these vohiines.
Lord Holland about the metnoirs of Byron which is full of incident
there are one or tzvo delightful notes from Samicel Rogers to Lord and
Lady Holland, his faithftd friends ; there is a sketch of the life and
society and intimacy of their house, which includes almost every wellknown name of this century, as previous pages include more picturesque
but scarcely more vivid personalities.
The woodcuts are admirable, and

the production of a

tiseful, agreeable,

some of the autographs are very

beautifully -illustrated,

interesting."

Pai.l

Mall Gazette.

Macarthur. HISTORY OF SCOTLAND.

By Margaret

Macarthur.
for
^^

It

Being the Third Volume of the Historical Course

Schools, Edited by Edward A. Freeman, D.C.L. i8mo. 2s.

is

an

excellent

the7n in the clearest

"

No previous

summary, unimpeachable as

and most impartial

to facts,

light attainable."

History of Scotland of the same bulk

is

and putting

Guardian.

anything

like so

trustivorthy, or deserves to be so extensively used as a text-book.'" Globk

Macmillan (Rev. Hugh).

see

For other Works by same Author,

Theological and Scientific Catalogues.

HOLIDAYS ON HIGH LANDS

search of Alpine Plants,

Globe Svo.

cloth.

6s.

or. Rambles and Incidents in

Second Edition, revised and enlarged.
;

HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELS, ETC.

The aim of this book

21

impart a genei-al idea of the origin, character,

and beautiful Alpine plants which occur on
the British hills, a?id which are found almost everywhere on the lofty
mountain chains of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America.
The infdrmation the author has to give is conveyed in untechnical language, in a

and

is to

distribution of those rare

of personal adventure, and associated with descriptions of the

natural scenery and the peculiarities of the human life in the midst of which

setting

By

the plants were found.

a very large

class

method the

this

of readers.

^^

subject is

made

Botanical knowledge

is

interesting to

blended with a

and a rich felicity of diction not to be

met with in any works of kindred character, if we except those of Hugh
Miller."
Telegraph. ''Mr. M.'s glo^mng pictures of Scandinavian
love of nature, a pious enthusiasm,

Saturday

scenery."

Review.

Martineau. BIOGRAPHICAL
By Harriet Martineau.
New Preface. Crown 8vo.

Collection of

Memoirs under

sketches,

1852 1868.

Third and Cheaper Edition, with

ds.

these several sections:

(i)

Royal, (2)
These

Politicians, (3) Professional, (4) Scientific, (5) Social, (6) Literary.

Daily News. "Miss

and her fine intellectual training make
these little sketches more instructive, and constitute them more genuinely
works of art, than many more ambitious and diffuse biographies."
Fortnightly Review.
"Each memoir is a complete digest of a
Memoirs appeared originally in

the columns of the

Martitieau's large literary powers

celebrated

from

illuminated by the flood of searching light which streams

life,

the gaze

of an acute but liberal mind."

MoRNiNG Star.

Masson (David). For other Works by same Author,

see

Philo-

sophical and Belles Lettres Catalogues.

LIFE OF JOHN MILTON.

Narrated in connection with the

and Literary History of his Time. By

David Masson, M. A., LL.D., Professor of Rhetoric and English
Political,

Ecclesiastical,

Literature in the University of Edinburgh.

Portraits,

1643

1649.

This work
Ecclesiastical,

time.

is

\2s.

Vol. II.,

8vo.

iSj-.

Vols.
8vo.

I.

\(}s.

to III.

with

Vol. III.

not only a Biography, but also a continuous Political,

History of England through Milton's whole

understand Milton, his position, his motives, his

and Literary

In order

1638 1643.

to

MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF IVORKS IN

22

thoughts by himself, his public words

of those words,
Time, not only as it

effect

it

is

rediscovered by express

was

to his

and

countrymen,

ftecessary to refer largely to the

presented in well-knoivn books, but as

and laborious

the probable

History of his

investigation iu original

it had to be
andforgotten

thus of the Biography, a I/istory grew : not a mere popular

work of independent search and method from first to
which has cost ?>iore labour by far than the Biography.
The second

records

compilation, hit a
last,

volume is so arranged that the reader may select or omit either the Histoty
The North British Review, speaking of the first
or Biography.
volume of this work said,
The Life of Milton is here written once for
all.^'
The Nonconformist, iit noticing the second volume, says, "Its
literary excellence entitles it to take its place in the first ranks of our
literature, while the whole style of its execution marks it as the only book
that has done anythitig like adeqjtate justice to one of the great masters of our
language, and one of our truest patriots, as well as our greatest epic poet."
'

'

Maurice. the friendship of books

LECTURES. By the Rev. F. D. Maurice.
face, by Thomas Hughes, M.P.
down Svo.

and other

Edited with Prelos. 6d.

CosTKNTS -. The F)-icndship of Books; Qn Words; Use and Abuse

of Ncivspapers ; On Christian Civilization ; Ancient History ; English
History : S/>ense/-'s Faery Q/ieene ; Milton ; Edmund Burke, etc.
*'
The high, pure, sympathetic, and ti'uly charitable nature of Mr.
Maurice is delightfully visible throughout these lectures, which are excellently adapted to spread a love of literature amongst the peopled

Daily News.

Mayer

(J.

E. B.) ^YORKS

Edited By

M.A., Kennedy Professor of Latin

at

John

Cambridge

E.

B.

CAMBRIDGE IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.

Autobiography of Matthew Robinson.
This

is

the second of the

Monoirs

Fcap. Svo.

illustrative

of

^^

Mayor,

5^-.

Part II.
dd.

Cambridge in the

Seventeenth Centuiy," that of Nicholas Fan-ar having preceded it. It gives

a lively picture of England during the Civil Wars the most important

of our national life ; it supplies materials for the history of the

and our Endozved Schools, and gives us a view of country
clergy at a ti/?ie xuhen they are supposed to have been, with scarce an exI\Ir. Mayor has added a collxtion of extracts and
ception, scurrilous sots.
crisis

University

BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELS, ETC.

IS TORI',

Mayor

23

E. 'Q.) continued.

(J.

documents relating to the history of several other Cambridge men of note

to the same period, all, like Robinson, of Nonconformist leanings.

belonging

LIFE OF BISHOP BEDELL.

This

is

By

Son.

his

the third of the Alemoirs illustrative

Century." The
is preserved

life

in the

Fcap. 8vo.

3^-.

of" Cambridge in

6d.

the I'jth

of the Bishop of Kilmore here printed for the first time

to a larger one to be

Tanner MSS., and is preliminary

issued shortly.

Mendelssohn. LETTERS and recollections.

Ferdinand Hiller.

"

This

German

is

Crown

8vo.

It reveals

him

to

to

loving, domestic 7nan."

our knowledge of the great

us tinder a neuj

hearted comrade, the musician whose soul

Standard.

was

light,

in his work,

Merewether. BY sea and by land.

through

Egypt,

India,

Ceylon,

a book which, roithout professing

Being a Trip

New Zealand, and

By Henry Alworth IMere-

" A most racy and enta-taining account of a

is

as the warmand the home-

Australia,

America-all Round the World.

vvether, one of Her Majesty's Counsel.

It

By
With

Is. 6d.

a very interesting addition

cofnposer.

Von Glehn.

Drawing by Karl MI'LLER, never before pub-

Portrait from a
lished.

Translated by M. E.

Crown
trip all

8vo.

Sj-.

6d.

roimd the world.

to deal in description, gives

the

reader a most vivid impression of the places, persons, and things it treats
The author tells us simply what he saw and heai-d, and what he
of.
it all ; but gifted with a quick eye, a ready ear, and a very
and having more than ordinary advantages in many zoays,
he managed to see and hear a great deal more than ordinary travellers do,
and he has set it all do7<jn in 340 most amusing pages. ^' Gl.\SGOW
News.

thought about
active mind,

Mitford (A. B.) TALES OF OLD JAPAN.

By A. B.
MiTiORD, Second Secretary to the British Legation in Japan.
With upwards of 30 Illustrations, drawn and cut on Wood by
Japanese Artists.
New and Cheaper Edition. Crown 8vo. 6s.

" These very original volumes

of a most exceptional

society,

xuill

always be interesting as memorials

while regarded simply as

tales,

they are

MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF WORKS IN

24

and

sparkling, sensational,

and

the quaintness

The

piquancy.

dramatic,

and

the originality of their ideas

of their language give them a

illustrations

7?iost

are extremely interesting,

curious in such matters have a special

and particular

captivating

and for the

Pall
value."

Mall Gazette,

Morison. THE LIFE AND TIMES OF SAINT BERNARD,

Abbot of Clairvaux. ByjAMES Cotter Morison, M. A.

Crown

Edition.

8vo.

4J'.

Cheaper

6d.

The Pall Mall Gazette calls this " one of the best contributions in
our literature towards a vivid, ititelligent, and worthy knowledge of
European interests and thoughts andfeelings during the twelfth century.

and

delightful

modern

instructive volume,

and one of

the best products of the

historic spirit."

EDMUND BURKE,

Morley (John).

Crown

John Morley, B.A. Oxon.

" The style

Svo.

By

a Historical Study.
7j. 6d.

brilliant with epigram and poitit.

which Burke hitnself would not have
disowned. Its sustained potver of reasoning, its wide swvep of obse)"jatiott
and reflection, its elevated ethical and social tone, stamp it as a work of
"A model of compact condenhigh excellence." Saturday Review.
is terse

and

and

incisive,

It contains pithy aphoristic sentences

We

sation.

have seldom

fnet

with a book in zvhich so

eomp7-essed into so limited a space."

much matter was

Pall Mall Gazette.

the ballads and songs of Scotland,

VIEW OF their INFLUENCE ON THE CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE. By J. Clark Murray, LL.D.,

Murray.
IN

Professor of Mental

Montreal.

Crown

and Moral Philosophy

Svo.

in

McGill College,

6s.

Napoleon. THE HISTORY OF NAPOLEON L

Lanfrey. A Translation with the sanction of the Author.
I.

and

II.

The Pall
pieces

Svo. price 12s. each.

Mall Gazette

says

\^Vol.

it

is

" one

calls it

" a}t

P.

Vols.

III. in the Press.

oj the most strikiiig

of historical composition of which France has

Saturday Review

By

excellent translation

to boast,"

and

the

of a work on every

HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELS, ETC.

ground deserving to

It

be translated.

is

unquestionably

It is in/act the only

the best that has been produced.

25

and immeast<rably
work to lohich we

can turn for an accurate and trustworthy narrative 0/ that extraordinary

career.

The book

is

the best

of Napoleon which has been

and indeed

the only trustworthy history

wi'itten."

Owens

College Essays and Addresses

By ProOwens College, Manchester.
Published in Commemoration of the Opening of the New College

fessors AND Lecturers of

Buildings, October 7th, 1873.

This'volume contains papers by the

8vo.

I4J-.

Duke of Dezonshire, K. G., F.R.S.;

Professor Greenwood {Principal) ; Professor Roscoe, F.R.S.

Balfoitr Steiuart, F.P.S. ; Professor Core; IV.

Professor

Boyd Dawkins, F.R.S.

Professor Reynolds ; Professor Williamson, F.R.S. ; Professor

Gamgee

fessor Bryce, D. C. I. ; Professor fevons ;

Hermann Breymann ; Proand Professor Ward.

Palgrave (Sir F.) history

OF normandy and

Professor Wilkins ; Professor

OF ENGLAND.
of

Her

By

Theodores

Francis Palgrave, Deputy Keeper

Sir

Majesty's Public Records.

Death of William Rufus.

Vols.

Completing the History

IL IV.

to the

21s. each.

(W. G.) A narrative of a YEAR'S

JOURNEY THROUGH CENTRAL AND EASTERN

Palgrave

ARABIA,

1862-3.

^y William Gifford Palgrave, late of

Bombay N. I. Sixth Edition. With Maps,
of Author, engraved on steel by Jeens. Crown

the Eighth Regiment

Plans, and Portrait

8vo.

6s.

" The work

is

a model of what

its class

should be; the

style restrained,

we wish to know of the country and

and enough of the author and his feelings to enable us to
to his guidance in a tract hitho-to untrodden, and dangerous

the narrative clear, telling us all

people visited,
trust ourselves

He has not only written one of the best books

on the Arabs and one of the best books on Arabia, but he has done so in a
manner that must command the respect no less than the admiration of his
fellow-countrymen." YoKrtilGiiTL^ Review. " Considering the extent
and the tmof our prn'iotis ignorance, the amount of his achievements,
portatue of his contributions to our knowledge, we cannot say less of him

in more senses than one.

MACMILLAiX'S CATALOGUE OF WORKS IN

26

Palgrave (W. G.)

continued.

than was once said of a far greater discoverer Mr. Palgrave has indeea
Pall Mall Gazette.
to Europe."

given a new world

ESSAYS ON EASTERN QUESTIONS.

Palgrave.

Contents:

The

Revival

The

Mahomeianisin
Turkomans

Frontier

Turkish

By

W. Gifford

\os. 6d.

8vo.

Eastern

in

and

the

The

The

Mahometan

of the

North-Eas^

Monastoy of Sumelas
The Poet Omar The Brigand Ta^

Christians

Abkhasian Insurrection

Lez'ant
Tribes

other

Abbet Shurran.

"These essays are full of anecdote and interest. The book is decidedly
a valuable addition to the stock of Uta'ature on luhich men must
difficult social and political problems sugof Russia, the capacity of Mahometans for
and the good government and retention of India."

base their opinion

gested by

of the

the designs

sovereignty^

Saturday Review.

ESSAYS ON ART.

Extra fcap. 8vo.

6^

DyceHolman HuntHerbertPoetry, Prose, and SenThe

cationalis7n in Art Sculpture in England The Albert Cross, ^'c.
Mulready

main

object

of the book

contemporaries,

is,

by examples taken chiefly

to illustrate the truths,

from

the works of

that art has fixed p7-inciples, op

which any one may attain the knoivledge who is 7iot zvanting in
natural taste.
Art, like poetry, is addressed to the world at large, noi
to a special jury of professional masters.
"In jnany respects the
truest critic

Pater.

we have."

Literary Churchman.

studies in the history of the renais-

sance.

By Walter H. Pater, M.A., Fellow

College, Oxford.

Crown

8vo.

'js.

of Brasenose

6d.

of the studies contained in this volume are taken from the

of the Renaissance, a7id touch what the author thinks the
The Pall
ehief points in that complex, many-sided nioveinent.
Mall Gazette says: " The book is very remarkable among contemporary books, not only for the finish and care with which its

The

subjects

history

essays are sevei'ally written,

form upon

the whole."

but for the air of deliberate

and

polished

HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELS, ETC.

Patteson,

27

and letters of johx Coleridge

life

PATTESOX,

D.D., Missionarj' Bishop of the Melanesian Islands.

By Charlotte M. Yonge, Author of " The Heir of Redclyffe."

With

Portraits after

Richmond and

by Jeexs. 'With Map.

crown 8vo. 12s.
'

'

Miss Yonge s -oork

is

from Photograph, engraved

Two

Vols,

It

made

Third and Cheaper Edition.

in one respect a model biography.

is

up

almost entirely of Patteson' s own letters.

Aware that he had left his
home once and for all, his correspondence took the form of a diary, and

<is zue

had

read on we come

seen

him."

to

knozu the man,

Athen.-eum.

unselfishness, is

and to

loz'e

him almost

as if

we

Such a life, with its grand lessons of

a blessing and an honour to the age in which it is lived
'^

the biography cannot be studied without pleasure and profit, and indeed
we should think little of the man zuho did not rise from the study of it
better and wiser.
N'either the Church nor the nation which produces
such sons need ez'er despair of its future." Saturday Review.

Prichard. THE administration of INDIA.

From
The First Ten Years of Administration under the
By Iltudus Thomas Prichard, Barrister-at-Law.
Demy 8vo. With Map. 21s.

1859 to 1868.

Crown.

Two

Vols.

" It is a

library."

work which

ei'cry

Star of India.

Raphael.

graphs.

in India ought to

add to

his

Raphael of urbixo and his father

GIOVANNI SANTI.
of the

Englishman

Museum

at

J.

D. Passavant, formerly Director

With Twenty Permanent PhotoHandsomely bound. 31J. 6d.

Royal 8vo.

To the enlarged French

By

Frankfort.

edition oj

Passavant s Life of Raphael, that

painter's admirers have turned whenever they have sought information,

and it

'uill doubtless

remain for

many

years the

all questions pertaining to the gi'cat painter.

best book

ofrcfrence on

The present work

consists

of a translation of those parts of Passavant' s volumes which are most

Besides a cotnplete life of Raphael, it
likely to interest the general reader.
contains the valuable descriptions of all his

known paintings, and

the

of so much service to amatetirs who wish to

study the progressive character of his works.
The Illustrations by
Woodbury's new permanent process of photography, are taken from the
finest engravings that could be procured, and have been chosen with the
Chronological Index, which

is

28

MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF WORKS IN

intention of giving examples of RaphaeVs various styles ofpainting.

Saturday Review

says of them.,

new

specimens of Air. Woodbury' s

" We have

process, but

The

seen not a feiv elegant

we have

none that

seen

equal these."

Reynolds. SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS AS A PORTRAIT

PAINTER.

AN ESSAY.

Balliol College,

Oxford.

By

J.

Illustrated

Churton Collins, B.A.

by a

Series of Portraits of

distinguished Beauties of the Court of George III.

in

reproduced
;
Autotype from Proof Impressions of the celebrated Engravings,

by Valentine Green, Thomas Watson, F, R. Smith, E.

Fisher, and others. Folio half-morocco. ^^5 5^-.
This volume contains i^venty photographs, nearly all of which are full

They have been carefully

length portraits.

will be

found

brated works.
autotypes,

selected

from a long

list,

contain some of the artisfs most finished and

Where it is possible brief memoirs have been given.

to

and
cele-

The

which have been made as perfect as possible, will do somethiitg

supply the want created by the excessive rarity of the origiiial engravings,
and enable the public to possess, at a moderate price, twenty faithful repreto

sentations of the choicest works of our greatest national painter.

Robinson (H. Crabb). the DIARY, REMINISCENCES,

AND CORRESPONDENCE, OF HENRY CRABB ROBINSON,

Selected

Barrister-at-Law.

With

Sadler, Ph.D.

Two Vols.
The Daily

Crown

News

8vo.

Portrait.

and

Edited

by Thomas

Third and Cheaper Edition.

i6j-.

says: " The tzvo books which are most likely to

survive change of literary taste, and to charm tvhile instructing generation

after generation, are the ''Diary' of Pepys and BosweWs ''Life of

Johnson.

'

The day will come when

HeJtry Crabb Robinson.'

to these

tnany will add the

'

Diary of

Excellences like those which render the personal

Pepys a7id the observations of Boswell such pleasant reading

work ... In it is to be found soj?iething to suit every taste
and inform every mind. For the general reader it contains much light and
revelations of

abound in

amusing

this

tnatter.

To

the lover

of

literature

it

conveys information tvhich

he will prize highly on account of its accuracy and rarity.

The student of
social life zvill gather from it many valuable hints whereon to base
theories as to the effects

on English

society

of the progress of

civilization.

HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELS, ETC.

for

these

and

other reasons this

Diary

'

'

is

a work

to

29

which a hearty

"
welcome should be accorded.

Rogers (James E. Thorold). HISTORICAL GLEANINGS A Series of Sketches. Montague, Walpole, Adam Smith,
:

By

Cobbett,

Prof.

Rogers.

Crown

Second

8vo. 4J. dd.

Home Tooke. Crown 8vo.

Pall Mall Gazette says, "are full of

Wiklif, Laud, Wilkes, and

"His Essays,"

the

" They rank far aboz'e

and readable."
of similar performances," says the WESTMINSTER Review.

pregnant, thoughtful,

Seeley (Professor),
J.

LECTURES

Seeley, M.A.

R.

University of Cambridge.

Professor of
8vo.

and

Series.
bs.

interest,

the average

essays.

By

History in

the

Modem

10s. 6d.

Roman Imperialism: The Great Rornan RevoluThe Proximate Cause of the Fall of the Roman Empire;
tion;
The Later Empire.
Opinions Milton's Poetry
Elementary Principles in ArtLiberal Education in Universities
English in Schools The Church as a Teacher of Morality The
Contents:

i.

2.

Afilton's

3.

Political

Teaching of Politics : an Inaugural Lecture delivered at Cambridge.

" He is the master of a clear and pleasant style, great facility

The criticism
of expression, and a considerable range of illustration.
is always acute, the description always, graphic and continuous, and
.

carefully arranged with a view to unity of

His book will be full of interest to all
thoughtful readers." Va}.!. Mall Gazette.

the matter of each essay

effect."

Spectator.

is

^^

Sime. history of Germany.

By James Sime, M.A.

y. Being Vol. V. of the Historical Course

Edited by Edward A. Freema.v, D.C.L.
iSmo.

" This

is

a remarkably clear and impressive History of Germany.

great events are wisely kept as central figures,

carefully kept not only subordinate

woven

for Schools,

into the texture

and

and

Its

the smaller ez'cnts are

subservient,

but most skilfully

of the historical tapestry presented

to the eye."

Standard.

Somers (Robert). the SOUTHERN STATES SINCE

THE WAR. l]y Robert Somers. With Map. Svo. gj.
This work
competent

to

of inquiries made by the author, of all authorities

him information, and of his o-wn observation during a

is the result

afford

30

MACMILLAX'S CATALOGUE OF WORKS IN

lengthened sojourn in the Southern States,

seldom direct their

The author's

steps.

to

condition of the Southern States under the

introduced by the civil war.

which writers on America so

some account of the

object is to give
Jieio social

map of

large

and political system

the Southern States by

and A. K. Johnston is appended, luhich shows with great

and h-on districts, the raikuays completed and
" Full of
projected, the State boundaries, and other important details.
SATURDAY Review.
interesting and valuable information.'"
Messrs, IV.

clearttess the Cotton, Coal,

Tacitus. THE HISTORY OF TACITUS,

By A.

English.

J.

Church, M.A. and W.

With a Map and Notes.

crown 8vo.

Xew

J.

translated

into

Brodribb, M.A.

and Cheaper Edition, revised,

ds.

The translators have endeavoured to adhej-e as closely to the original as

was thought consistent with a proper obsei-vance of English idiom. At
the same time it has been their aim to reproduce the precise expressions of
This work is characterised by the Spectator j " a scholarly
the author.
andfaithful translation.''^ Sezrral improvements have been made in this

and the

Edition,

A'otes

have been enlarged, with the view of rendering the

work more intelligible and useful

to the

general reader.

THE AGRICOLA AND GERMANIA.

A.

J.

Church, M.A. and W.

Extra

and Notes.

fcap. 8vo.

J.

Translated into English by

Brodribb, M.A.

"With

Maps

is. 6d.

The translators have sought to p7-oduce such a ro'sion as may satisfy

who demand a faithful rendering of the original, and English
readers 'vho are offended by the baldness and frigidity which co>nmonly
The treatises are accompanied by Introductions,
disfigure translations.
The Athen^um says of
Notes, Maps, and a chronological Summary.
this work that it is " a version at once readable and exact, which 7nay be
scholars

all, and consulted with advantage by the classical

Pall Mall Gazette says," UHiat the editors have

perused with pleasure by

student;''''

and

attempted

to do, it is not, loe

have done

better."

Thomas.
'
'

the

the

think probable, that any living scholars could

JOHN

life of
THOMAS, Sm-geon of the
Earl of Oxford " East Indiaman, and First Baptist IMissionar)' to

Bengal.

By

C. B.

Lewis, Baptist Missionary.

8vo.

los. 6d.

This biography, founded on the most trustworthy materials attainable,

will be found interesting, not only to all

zilio

take

an

interest in mission

HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELS, ETC.

work and the spread of Christianity, but
an earnest man striving to benefit otheis.

to all H'ho

care to read the

Thompson. history of England.

Being Vol.

son.

by

Edward

II.

prejudice,

DC. L. Fourth

" In

its

to be generally sei-vieeable

great accuracy

of

By Edith Thomp-

and

Edition.

simplicity oj style,

ment, are the characteristics of this volume.

and likely

life

of the Historical Course for Schools, Edited

A. Freeman,.

" Freedom from

31

It

in schools."

correctness

state-

a triistivorthy text-book,

is

Pall

Mall Gazette.

of detail it stands far ahead of the

arrangement, too, is clear, and its

general run of school tnanuals. Its

style simple and slraightjoiward.^'
Saturday

i8mo. 2s.6d.

and accuracy of

Review.

Todhunter. THE CONFLICT OF STUDIES AND

OTHER ESSAYS ON SUBJECTS CONNECTED WITH
;

EDUCATION.

By Isaac Todhunter, M.A., F.R.S., late

Fellow and Principal Mathematical Lecturer of St. John's College,
Cambridge. 8vo.
lOJ. 6d.
Mr.

Todhunter has enjoyed favourable opportunities for bccotning

-uitli the matters on which he treats.
A long

practically acquainted
residence at

Cambridge,

continued occupation in lecturing,

much exand a

perience in examinations, both in the University attd elsrwhere,

share in the deliberations of several importatit Syndicates -which have been

employed in the reconstruction of

of study have induced

connected unth
the general subject of education.
The names of the several Essays are
The Conflict oj Studies.
I.
Competitive Examinations.
II.
III.
Private Study of Mathematics.
IV. Academical Rejorm,
V. Elementary Geometry.
VI. The Mathematical Tripos.

and enabled him

to form definite

official courses

opinions on

many points

Trench (Archbishop). For other

we

Works by the same Author,

Theological and Belles Lettres Catalogues, and p. 51

of this CatalojTue.I

GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS IN GERMANY,

on the Thirty Years' War.
A'chbishop of Dublin.
Fcap. 8vo.

The

4^.

By

R.

and other Lectures

Chenevix Trench, D.D.,

Second Edition, revised and enlarged,

'

lectures contained in this

volume form rather a neza book than a

nC7u edition, for on the tioo lectures published by the

Author

scccral years

MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF WORKS IN

32

Trench

{Kvz\ih\s\iO'p)continued.

ago, so f?iany changes

nrw

virtually a

and

additions have been made, as to

make

the

work

Besides three lectures of the career of Gustavus in

during the Thirty Years' War, there are other tivo, one
one.

Gerrnany and
on " Gertnany during the Thirty Years' War," and another on Germany
after that War.

PLUTARCH, HIS
Five Lectures by

LIFE, HIS LIVES, AND HIS MORALS.

Richard Chenevix Trench, D.D., ArchSecond Edition, enlarged.

bishop of Dublin.

These Lectures will be found

to

contain

Fcap. 8vo.

an account of nearly

3^. 6d.

all that

is kno7un of Plutarch, and of his works, especially his celebrated ^^ Lives,"

with conjectures as to the influence of the latter upon men who lived after

The AtheN/EUM speaks of

Plutai'cKs time.

in which the amusing

and the

"A

as

it

volume

little

instructive are judiciously combined."

Trench (Mrs. R.) REMAINS OF THE LATE MRS.

RICHARD TRENCH. Being Selections from her Journals,
Letters,

New

and other Papers.

and Cheaper

Edited by

Issue, with Portrait.

and Anecdotes

Contains Notices

bs.

illustrating the social life

extending over a quarter of a century

Poems and

Archbishop Trench.

8vo.

1827).
(1799
other miscellaneous pieces by Mrs. Traich.

Wallace. THE MALAY ARCHIPELAGO:

Orang Utan and the Bird of

Wallace.

With Maps and

Edition.

Cro\vn 8vo.

Dr. Hooker, in
:

the

Land

"Js.

Illustrations.

of the

By Alfred Russel

Narrative of Travel with Studies of

Nature.

author

Paradise.

of the perioa

It includes also

Third and

Man and
Cheaper

6a.

his address to the British Association, spoke thus of the

" Of Mr.

Wallace

and

his

many

contributions to philosophical

biology it is not easy to speak without enthusiasm ; for, putting aside their

great merits, he, throughout his writings, with a modesty as rare as

honour
of having originated, independently of Mr. Dattuin, the theories which
he so ably defends."
believe it to be unconscious, forgets his orun

'
'

The

result is

unquestioned claim

a vivid picture of tropical

life,

to the

which may be read with

HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELS, ETC.

unflagging

inte^-est,

and a

arcount of his

suflicient

scientific

33

conclusions to

we may
we have never read a more agreeable book of its kind."
Saturday Review. '^ His descriptions of scenery, of the people and
their matiners and customs, enlivened by occasional amusing anecdotes,
constitute the most interesting reading we have taken up for some time."
Standard.
stimulate otir appetite without wearying us by detail.

In

short,

safely say that

Waller. SIX WEEKS IN THE SADDLE A PAINTER'S

JOURNAL IN ICELAND. By S. E. Waller. With Illus:

trations

"An

by

the Author.

Crown

8vo.

6s.

and naturally written little book.

Air. IValler has a clezier pencil, and the text is -well illustrated with his
own sketches." Times. '^ A very lively and readable book." Atheexceedingly pleasant

"

N/EUM.

bright

little

book, adrnirably illustrated."

SPECTATOR.

Ward

(Professor). the HOUSE OF AUSTRIA in the

THIRTY YEARS' WAR. Two Lectures, with Notes and IllusBy Adolphus W. Ward, M.A.,

trations.

in

Owens

" We have

College, Manchester.
nez'er read," says the

Professor of History

Extra fcap. 8vo.

2s. 6d.

SATURDAY REVIEW,

^'

any

lectures

which bear more thoroughly the impress of one who has a true and vigorous
grojp of the subject in hand."

Ward

(J.)

EXPERIENCES OF A DIPLOMATIST.

recollections of

1840

1870.

Resident to the

Mr. Ward' s

Germany founded on Diaries kept during

By John Ward, C.B., late H.M.
Hanse Towns. 8vo. los. bd.

recollections

extend back even

to

1830.

From

Being

the years

Minister-

his official

had many opportunities of

coming in contact with eminent men of all ranks and all professions on the
His book, while it contains much that throws light on the
Continent.
history of the long and important period with which it is concerned, is full
of reminiscences of such men as Arrivabene, King Leopold, Frederick
William IV., his Court and Ministers, Humboldt, Bunseti, Raumer,
Ranke, Grimm, Palmeiston, Sir de Lacy Evans, Cobden, Mendelssohn,
Cardinal Wiseman, Prince Albert, the Prince and Princess of Wales,
I^rd Russell, Bismarck, Mdlle. Tietjens, and many other eminent Englishmen and foreigners.

position as well as

from

other circumstances he

MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF WORKS IN

34

Warren.
By

the

an

essay on greek federal coinage.

Hon.

Leicester Warren, M.A.

J.

8vo.

2s.

6d.

The present essay is an attempt to illustrate Mr. Freeman^ s Federal

Government by evidence deducedfrom the coinage of the times and countries
therein treated of

Wedgwood.JOHN WESLEY AND THE EVANGELICAL

REACTION
Crown

8vo.

This book

upon

is

his age.

of the Eighteenth Century.

By JULIA Wedgwood.

Sj. 6</.

an attempt to delineate the

The backg}-ound to the

influence of a particular

central figure

is

man

treated with

considerable minuteness, the object of representation being not the vicissitude

of a particular life, but that element in the life zuhich impressed itself on
an element which cannot be understood without a
the life of a nation,
study of aspects of national thought which on a superficial vietv might
appear wholly unconnected with it. " In style and intellectual power, in

breadth of view and clearness of insight, Miss Wedgivood's book far

Athen^um. " As a short account of the most
surpasses all rivals."

remarkable movement in the eighteenth century,

as excellent."

Wilson.

Pall Mall Gazette.

it

must fairly

be described

MEMOIR OF GEORGE WILSON,

M. D.,

F.R.S.E., Regius Professor of Technology in the University of

Edinburgh. By his Sister. New Edition. Crown 8vo. 6^.
"

An

exquisite

Guardian.

'^

and touching

He

porti'ait

of a rare aitd beautiful spirit."

whom we have lately read

more than most men of

and careful biography, and by such alone could he be

and become loveable and influential to his fellow-f?ien. Such

deserved a mimite
understood,

a biography his sister has written, in which letters reach almost to the
extent of a complete autobiography, with all the additiotial charm of being
unconsciously such. We revere and admire the heart, and earnestly praise
the patient tender hand, by zvhich such a worthy recoi'd of the earth-story
of one of God' s true angel-men has been constructed for our delight and
profit."

Nonconformist.

Wilson

(Daniel, LL.D.) Works by Daniel Wilson,

LL.D., Professor of History and English Literature in University
College, Toronto
:

'

HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELS, ETC.

Wilson (Daniel, L.l^.T).) continued.

PREHISTORIC ANNALS OF SCOTLAND.
Two

New

35

Edition,

demy 8vo. 36^.

work has had to be remodelled.
re-written; and the remaining

with numerous Illustrations,

Vols,

In this nno edition the whole of the

Fully a third of it has been entirely
portions have undergone so minute a revision as to render it in
many respects a new work. The number of pictorial illustrations has
been
cuts

and

greatly increased,

several of the

have been re-engraved from

nished with an elaborate Index.

former

plates

and wood-

new drawings. The work

" One of the most interesting,

and elegant works we have seen for a long

Review. " The interest connected with this
limited to that part of the kingdom to which

it is

time.^'

fur-

is

learned,

WESTMINSTER

beautiful

volume

is

not

chiefly devoted ; it will be

and gratification by all who have a regard for

National Antiquities and for the advancement of scientific Arckcsology."

consulted with advantage

Arch/eological Journal,

PREHISTORIC MAN, New Edition,

with numerous Illustrations,

One

revised

vol. 8vo.

and partly

re- written,

21s.

This work, which carries out the principle of the preceding one, but with
a wider scope, aims to " view Man, as far as possible, tmaj^ected by those
modifying influences which accompany the development of nations and the
maturity of a true historic period, in order thereby to ascertain the sources
from whence such development and maturity proceed. A prolonged residence
on some of the neiuest sites of the N^ciu World has afforded the author many
opportunities of investigating the antiquities of the

and

of bringing

to light

many facts of high

American Aborigines,

importance in reference

to

The changes in the new edition, necessitated by the great

primeval matt.
advance in Archeology since the first, include both reconstruction and
condensation, along with considerable additions alike in illustration and
" We find," says the Athen^UM, " the main idea of his
in argument.
namely, by archceological
treatise to be a pre-eminently scientific one,
records to obtain a definite conception of the origin and nature of man's
earliest efforts at civilization in the New World, and to endeavour to dis-

cover, as if by analogy, the necessary conditions, phases,

and epochs through

which man in the prehistoric stage in the Old World also mtist necessarily
have passed.'^ The North British Review calls it "a mature and
mello7v

work of an

matism,

and

man ;

able

free alike fi-oin crotchets

exhibiting on every page the caution

well-balanced judi^mcnt.

'

c 2

and

and from

dog-

moda-ation of a

::

MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF WORK'S IN

36

Wilson (Daniel, LL.D.)

CHATTERTON A

continued.

By Daniel Wilson,

Biographical Study.

LL.D., Professor of History and English Literature

College, Toronto.

Crown

8vo.

in University

6^. dd.

The author here regards Chatterton as a

poet, not as

'^

mere

resetter

and defacer of stolen literary treasures." Reviewed in this light, he has

found much in the old 7naterials capable of being turned to new account
and to these materials research in va-rious directions has enabled him to
make some additions. 77/^ EXAMINER thinks this "the fuost complete
and the purest biography of the poet which has yet appeared." The
Literary Churchman calls it "a most charming literary biography."

Wyatt

(Sir

M. Digby). fine art

Sketch of

History, Theory, Practice, and application to Industry.

of Lectures delivered before the University of Cambridge.

M. Digby Wyatt, M. A. Slade

Sir

8vo.
'^

book

IOJ-.

Professor of

its

Course

By

Fine Art.

6d.

Graphic " The

excellent handbook for the student of art."
abounds in valuable matter, and rvill therefore be read with

An

pleasure

and profit

by lovers of art."

Daily News.

Yonge (Charlotte M.) Works

by Charlotte M. Yonge,
Author of "The Heir of Redclyffe," &c. &c.
:

A PARALLEL HISTORY OF FRANCE AND ENGLAND

consisting of Outlines

and Dates.

Oblong

This tabular history has been dratvn up

teachers of

to

supply a

some means of making their pupils

two countries were contemporary.

A skeleton

4to.

3^. dd.

want felt by many

realize zvhat events tn the

7iarrative has been constructed

of the chief transactions in either country, placing a column between for

what affected both alike, by which means it is hoped that young people may
be assisted in grasping the

mutual relatiott of

events.

CAMEOS FROM ENGLISH HISTORY.

II.

Extra fcap.

A Second
8vo.

5.f.

8vo.

Series,

From RoUo

Second Edition, enlarged.

THE WARS

Second Edition.

IN FRANCE.

to

Edward

5^.

Extra fcap.

HISTOR V, BIOGRA

HV, TRA VELS, E TC.

37

The endeavour has not been to chronicle facts, but to put together a series
of pictures oj persons and ez'ents, so as to arrest the attention, and give
some individuality and distinctness to the recollection, by gatha-ing together
The " Cameos " are intended as
details of the most memorable moments.
a book for young people just bej'ond the elementary histories of England,

and able to

some degree

enter in

struck with characters

dry details," says the

vivid,

into the real spirit

and scenes

presented in some

NoNCON FORMIST, we have

'

'

of

events,

relief.

'^

and

to be

Instead of

living pictures, faithful,

and striking."

M.A.) a MEMOIR OF
(Julian Charles,
CHARLES MAYNE YOUNG, Tragedian, with Extracts

Young

from his Son's Journal. By Julian Charles Young, M.A.

Rector of Ilmington. With Portraits and Sketches. N'eiv and
Cheaper Edition.
Crown 8vo. Is. 6d.
" In

this budget of anecdotes, fables, and gossip, old and nao, relative to
Moore, Chalmers, Coleridge, Wordsiuorth, Croker, Mathews, the
third and fourth Georges, Bowles, Beckford, lockhart, Wellington, Peel,
Louis Napoleon, D'Orsay, Dickens, Thackeray, Louis Blanc, Gibson,
Scott,

Constable, and Stanfield, etc. etc.

who cannot find entertainment.^^

the reader

Pall

must

be

hard indeed

Mall Gazette.

to

please

MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF

38

AND SOCIAL
ECONOMY, LAW, AND KINDRED

POLITICS, POLITICAL

SUBJECTS.
Baxter. NATIONAL income
R.

Dudley Baxter, M.A.

8vo.

The United Kingdom.

By

3J. bd.

FOUR LECTURES ON SUBJECTS CONNECTED

WITH DIPLOMACY. By Montague Bernard, M.A.,

Bernard.

Chichele Professor of International

8vo.

Law and

Diplomacy, Oxfoi-d.

9j.

These four Lectures deal with /. " The Congress of Westphalia ; "
11. " Systej?is of Policy ; " LIT. '^Diplomacy, Past and Present;"

IV.

^^

The Obligations of

lectures, so able, clear,

^'Singularly
Spectator.

Treaties."

a 7ui attractive."

intei-esting

Bright (John, M.P.) SPEECHES ON QUESTIONS OF

PUBLIC POLICY. By the Right Hon. John Bright, M.P,
Edited by Professor

Globe 8vo.

3^^.

Thorold Rogers.

Author's Popular Edition.

dd.

editor has naturally given prominence to those subjects with

which Mr. Bright has been specially identified, as, for example,
But
India, America, Ireland, and Parliamentary Reform.
nearly every topic of great public interest on which Mr. Bright
" Mr. Brighfs
has spoken is represented in these volumes.

The

always deserve to be studied, as an appn-enticeand parliamentary oratory ; they will form

materials for the history of our time, and many brilliant passages,
perhaps some entire speeches, will really become a part of the living
DAILY Neavs.
literatttre of England."
speeches

will

ship to popular

LIBRARY EDITION. Two

Vols. 8vo.

With

Portrait.

25^.

WORKS IN
Cairnes.

Works

by

Economy

Political

in University College,

ECONOMY, THEORETICAL

ESSAYS IN POLITICAL
APPLIED. By J.

and

Economy

39

Cairxes, M.A., Emeritus Professor of

London.

E.

J.

POLITICS, ETC.

E. Cairnes, M.A., Professor of Political

London.

in University College,

8vo. los. 6d.

Essays towards a Solution of the Gold Question Tht

Australian Episode The Course of Depreciation International
Results Summary of the Movement M. Chevalier's Views
Co- Operation in the Slate Quarries of North Wales
Economy and Land
Economy and Laissez-Faire
M. Comte and Political EconomyBastiat.
" The production of one of the
of living economists." AtheContents.

Political

Political

ablest

naeum.

POLITICAL ESSAYS.
The following are

8vo.

los. 6d.

of the Essays in this volume: I.

Colonization and Colonial Government.
II. The Revolution in
the

Titles

III. International Law. IV. Fragments on Ireland,

The Agricultural Revolution Protectioti and Free Trade.
2. The Emigration.
3. The Irish Cottier. 4. Irish Landlordism.
VI.
V. Our Defences : A National or a Standing Army.
Thoughts on University Reform a propos of the Irish EducaVII. The Present Position of the
tional Crisis of i2>6$
66.

America.

I.

Irish University Question

Review

The Saturday

1873.

says,

"

We

recently

expressed our high

admiration of the former volume; and the present one is no less

remarkable for the qualities of clear statement, sound logic, and
candid treatment of opponents which were conspicuous in its
We may safely say that none of Mr MilV s inany
predecessor.
.

a worthier representative of the

"
master than Professor Cairnes.
disciples is

best qualities oj their

SOME LEADING PRINCIPLES OF POLITICAL ECONOMY

NEWLY EXPOUNDED. 8vo. 14J.
Contents

Part

I.

Value.

Part

II.

Labour and

Capital.

Part

III. International Trade.

"A

work which is perhaps the most valuable contribution to the science

made since the publication, a quarter of a century since, of Mr.
Mills Principles of Political Ecotwmy.^" DAILY News.
^

MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF

40

the BALLOT AND CORRUPTION AND

EXPENDITURE AT ELECTIONS, a Collection of Essays and

Christie.

Addresses of different dates.

Her

Brazil;
8.V0.

By W. D. Christie,

C.B., formerly

Majesty's Minister to the Argentine Confederation and to

Author of " Life of the

i,s.

First Earl of Shaftesbury."

Crown

bd.

" You have thought

to greater

electoral corruption,

and are

purpose on the means of preventing

likely to be op

more

service in passing

measures for that highly important end, than any other person
that I could name" ^J. S. Mill, in a published letter to the

Author,

May

1868.

Clarke. EARLY ROMAN LAW.

By

Clarke, M. A., of

E. C.

Lecturer in

Law and

THE REGAL PERIOD.

Lincoln's Inn,

Regius Professor of Civil

Earrister-at-Law,

Law at

Cambridge.

The beginnings of Roman Law are only noticed incidetitally by Gains

or his paraphrasers under jfustinian.
They are, however, so important, that this attempt to set forth what is known or may be
inferred about them, it is expected, will be found of much value.
The method adopted by the author has been to furnish in the text
of each section a continuous account of the subject in hand, ample
quotations

Most of

and

references being

appended in the form of

notes.

the passages cited have been arrived at by independent read-

ing of the original authority, the few others having been carefully
^' Mr. Clarke has brought together a g7-eat mass of valuverified.
able matter in

an

accessible form.''''

SATURDAY

Review.

W. H.) a digest OF FACTS

RELATING TO THE TREATMENT AND UTILIZATION
OF SEWAGE. By W. H. Corfield, M.A., B.A., Professor of

Corfield (Professor

Hygiene and Public Health at University College, London.

10s. 6d.
Second Edition, corrected and enlarged.

Ln

this edition the

author has revised

and made tnany important

and

additions.

8vo.

corrected the entire work,

An

abridged account of

the more recently published researches on the subject will be found

in the Appendices, while the Summary contains a concise statement
of the views which the author himself has been led to adopt.

WORKS IN POLITICS,

ETC.

41

rank as a standard authority,

than a convenient handbook, in all matters relating to

"yl/>-. Corfield^s 'cvork is entitled to

no

less

sewage."

Fawcett.

Athen/EUM.

Works by

Henry Fawcett,

Trinity Hall, and Professor of Political

of Cambridge

M.A., M.P., Fellow of

Economy in

the University

THE ECONOMIC POSITION OF THE BRITISH

LABOURER.

Extra

fcp. 8vo.

5^.

In the Introductory Chapter the author points out the scope of

work and shows the vast importance 0/ the subject in relation to

the

the

commercial prosperity and even the national existence of Britain.

Then follo-io five chapters on '' The Land Tenure of England,"

" The Causes which regulate Wages," " Trade

Unions and Strikes," and "Emigration." The Examiner calls

"Co-operation,"
the

work "a ve/y

scholarly exposition on sorne of the most essential

questions of Political

"it

is

Economy ;" and

Nonconformist
and lucidity."

the

charming freshness,

written with

says

ease,

MANUAL OF POLITICAL ECONOMY.

New

Fourth Edition, with

Chapters on the Nationalization of the Land and Local

Taxation.

In

Crown

this treatise

and

8vo.

\2s.

no important branch oj the

subject has been omitted,

the author believes that the principles

which are therein explained will enable the reader to obtain a tolerably complete view of
the whole science.
Mr. Fawcett has endeavoured to shotu how
intimately Political
tions

of

life.

For

especially for those

Economy

is

connected with the practical ques-

the convenience of the ordinary reader

and

who may

use the book to prepare themselves for

examinations, he has prefixed a very detailed summary of Con-

which may be regarded as an analysis of the work.

The
Daily News says: "It forms one of the best introductions to the
principles of the science, and to its practical applications in the
problems of modern, and especially of English, government and
" The book is wtitten throughout," says the Examiner,
society."
^^ with
admirable force, clearness, and brez'ily, every important
tents,

part of the

subject being duly considered."

MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF

42

Fawcett ( H )
PAUPERISM

continued.

ITS

CAUSES AND REMEDIES.

Crown

8vo.

5^. 6d.

In its number for March I ith, 1871, the Spectator said: ^^We wish
Professor Faiucett would devote a little more of his time and^energy
to the practical consideration of that monster problem of Pauperism,
for the treat7nent of ivhich his econo?nic knowledge and popular
The volume now published may
sympathies so eminently fit him.^'

an

The seven
"Pauperism
II. " The present Poor Lazo System."
and the old Poor Law.
IV. ^^ National Education;
III. " The Increase of Population."
Co-partnership and CoV.
its Economic and Social Effects."
be regarded as

chapters

anszver to the above challenge.

comprises discuss the following subjects:

it

/.

^''

''''

"The English System of Land Tenure."

VII.
^'The Inclosure of Cofiwions." The Athen^um calls the work
'
a repertory of interesting and well-digested infor?nation."
VI.

operation."

'

SPEECHES ON SOME CURRENT POLITICAL QUESTIONS.

8vo.

IOJ-.

ed.

Indian Finance; Birmingham League and the Educatioti Act ; The Nine Hours Bill ; Election Expenses ; Women^s
Suffrage; Household Suffrage in Counties and the Redistribution
of Seats ; Irish University Education ; Enclosure of Commons ;

Contents

The Law Officers of the Crown; Speech

" Carefully prepared, both in substance attd
clearly the conscientious convictions of a

and of

singular courage

and

at Brighton,

1873.

in form, they express

mind of great

disinterestedness

acuteness

on some of the un-

They are, in short, ittstructive pamof the day.

important social, economical, and administrative topics ;

settled questions

phlets

0)1

and Mr. Faxucett has done well in laying them before a wider
and calmer audience than is to be found either at St. Stephen s
or in public meeting assembled.

They will help

perhaps, parties, but the educators ofparties."

not

to educate,

Daily

News.

ESSAYS ON POLITICAL AND SOCIAL SUBJECTS. By

Fawcett,

Professor

Fawcett.
Contents

Svo.
:

^^

M.P.,

and

Millicent

Garrett

\os. 6d.

Modern

Socialism ;"

"Free Education in

nomic Aspects;" " Paupei'ism, Charity, and the Poor

its

Eco-

Law;"

WORKS IN POLITICS,

ETC.

43

" iVational Debt and National Prosperity ;" ^^WJiat can be done
for the Agricultural Labourers f^ " The Education 0/ IVomen;''
" The Electoral Disabilities of Women ;" " The House of Lords."

Each

'^
with the initials of its author.
In ez'ery
a -work of note and value.
They will all repay the
perusal of the thinking reader. " Daily News.

article is signed

respect

Fawcett (Mrs.) political economy for begin-

with questions.

NERS.

New

Fawcett.

Edition.

iSmo.

By Millicent Garrett
2s. 6d.

In

this little work are explained as briefly as possible the most important principles of Political Economy, in the hope that it will be
useful to beginners, and perhaps be an assistance to those who are

of introducing the study of Political Economy to schools.

In order to adapt the book especially for school use, questions have
been added at the end of each chapter.
In the new edition each
page has been carefully revised, and at the end of each chapter,
after the questions, a few little puzzles have been added, which will
give interest to the book, and teach the learner to think for himself.
desirous

7Xif

and

Daily News calls it

the Spectator says,

suited to

its

^^ clear,

^'Alrs.

compact,

and comprehensive;"

Fawcetfs

treatise is perfectly

purpose."

Freeman

(E. A., M.A., D.C.L.) comparative

POLITICS.
Lectures at the Royal Institution, to which is
added " The Unity of History," being the Rede Lecture delivered
at

Cambridge

in 1872.

8vo.

I4J-.

" We find in Mr. Freeman's nrw volume

the

same sound,

comprehensive qualities which have long ago raised him

careful,

to so

high

For historical discipline, then,

as well as historical information, Mr. Freeman's book is full of
Pall Mall Gazette. ' // would be difficult to speak
value."
a place amongst historical writers.

too highly

of the learning,

reflection, philosophical insight,

Mr. Freeman has

Daily News.

breadth of sympathy with which

interesting Diemes,"

Godkin (James).

the land WAR

History for the Times.

IN IRELAND.

By James Godkin, Author

and

treated thesg

of "Ireland

"

MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF

44

and her Churches,"

Correspondent of the Times.

late Irish

8vo.

I2J.

Land

History of the Irish

Question.

^'

account so compendious and so complete.

Goschen.

By George

Goschen,

given

with

is

probably no other

reports and SPEECHES ON LOCAL TAXA-

TION.
Mr.

There

Fortnightly Review.

to

from

J.

GoscHEN, M.P.

the position he has held

the sjibject of Local

Taxation,

and
is

5^.

the attention he has

well qualified

to

deal

" The volume contains a vast mass of info7'mation of the

it.

highest value."

Athen^um.

Guide to the Unprotected,

lating to

Royal 8vo.

Fourth Edition, Revised.

in

By

Property and Income.

Every Day Matters Rea Banker's

Extra fcap. 8vo.

Daughter.

3^. bd.

Many

widows and single ladies, and all young people, on first

money of their own, are in want of advice when they
The author of
have commonplace business mattei's to transact.
this work writes for those who know nothing. Her ai?n throughout

possessing

and practical directions,

how to do it. ^'Many an
unprotected female zvill bless the head which planned and the hand
This book was
zuhich compiled this admirable little manual.
very much wanted, a7id it could not have been better done."
is to

avoid all technicalities ;

what ouglU

not only as to

to

give plain

to be done,

but

Morning Star.

Hill. CHILDREN OF THE STATE. THE TRAINING OF

JUVENILE PAUPERS. By Florence Hill. Extra fcap.
8vo. cloth.

In

this

and

work

5^.

the author discusses the various systetns adopted in this

other countries

in the treattnent oj

Birmingham Daily Gazette

to the

great

calls it

and important social

and it must

thoroughly discusses;

pauper children.

"a

The

valuable contribution

question which
matei-ially

it

so ably

and

aid in producing a

wise method of dealing with the Children of the State."

Historicus. LETTERS ON SOME

INTERNATIONAL LAW. Reprinted

QUESTIONS

OF

from the Times, with

WORKS IN POLITICS,
8vo.

considerable Additions.

LETTERS.

8vo.

45

ADDITIONAL

Also,

6J.

7^.

ETC.

2s. 6d.

^'
On the Perils of
: Letters on ^^ Recognition;'^
The Rights and Duties of N^cutral N'ations ;"
"On the Law of Blockade;" " On A^eutral Trade in Contraband
of War;" " On Belligerent Violation of Neutral Rights ;" '^The
Foreign Enlistment Act;" "The Right of Search;" extracts
from letters on the Aair of the Trent ; and a paper on the
"Territoriality of the Merchant Vessel."
"It is seldom that the
doctrines of International Law on debateable points have been
stated with more vigour, precision, and certainty."
Saturday

The volume contains

^^

Intervention;"

Review.

Jevons.

Works

W. Stanley Jevons, M.A.,

by

Professor of

Logic and Political Economy in Owens College, Manchester,

other

Works by

the same Author,

(For

Educational and Philo-

see

sophical Catalogues.)

THE COAL QUESTION An

:

Inquiry Concerning the Progress

of the Nation, and the Probable Exhaustion of our Coal Mines.

Second Edition,
'
'

8vo.

revised.

icj'.

6d.

The question of our supply of coal, " says the Pall

^^
becomes a question obviously of life or death.
case

is

Mall Gazette,
.

and cogency.
unanswered and practically

stated with admirable clearness

regard his statements as

THE THEORY OF POLITICAL ECONOMY.

In

this

work Professor

Political Economy

that

many of

niciously

Svo.

on a mathematical or quantitative

commonly received theories in this

erroneous.
The author here attempts to

We may

established.

Jei'Otis endeavotirs to construct

the

The whole
.

"

9s.

a theory op

basis, believing

science are per-

treat Economy
and Pain, and has sketched out, almost
opinions, the form which the science, as it

as the Calculus of Pleasure

irrespective

of prez'ious

The

seems to him, must ultimately take.

ing the differential calculus

Utility,

Value,

to

theory consists in apply-

the familiar

Demand, Supply,

notions of Wealth,

Capital, Interest, Labour,

and

all the other notions belonging to the daily operations of industry.

As

the complete theory

of that calculus,

so,

of almost

ez-ery other science involves the

the author thinks,

of Politieal Economy without

its

aid.

we cannot have a

use

true t/uory

^'Professor Jevons has done

MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF

46

im'aluable service hy courageously claiming political economy to he

strictly

branch

Applied Mathematics."

of

Westminster

Review.

Macdonell. THE LAND QUESTION, WITH SPECIAL

REFERENCE TO ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND. By
John Macdonell,

Barrister-at-Law.

8vo.

los. 6d.

" His book ought to be on the table of rvery land refo7-mer, and 'will be
found to contain many interesting Jacts. Mr. Macdonell may be congratulated on having made a most valuable conti-ibtction to the study
of a question that cannot be examined from too many points."

Examiner.

Martin. THE STATESMAN'S YEAR-BOOK: A

Statistical

and Historical Annual of the States of the Civilized World.

Handbook for Politicians and Merchants for the year 1874. By
Frederick Martin. Eleventh Annual Publication. Revised
after Official Returns.

Crown

The Statesman's Year-Book

8vo.

and concise account of the actual condition

which furnishes a cleai^

of all the States of Europe, the

Asia,

and

Africa,

10^. 6d.

the only ivork in the English language

is

and

civilized countries

the British Colonies

of America,

and Dependencies

in

The new issue of the work has been revised

of the tvorld.
and corrected, on the basis of official reports received direct fi'om the
heads of the leading Governments of the world, in reply to letters sent
all parts

to

them by the Editor.

it

has been possible

statistical,

Through

to collect

the valuable assistance thus given,

an amount of

and commercial, of the

latest date,

infor7nation, political,

and of unimpeachable
same kind has ever
Bradshaw." Times.

trustworthiness, such as no publication of the

been able to furnish.

Phillimore.

''''

private

from the Pandects.

As

indispensable as

law among the Romans,

By John George PiiiLLiMORE, Q.C.

8vo.

i6j'.

The author's belief that some knowledge of the Roman Systet?i of

Municipal Law will contribute to improve our own, has induced
him to prepare the present work. His endeavour has been to select
those parts of the Digest which would best sho7u the grand manner
in which the Roman jurist dealt with his subj.'c^ as well as those

WORKS IN
which most

POLITICS, ETC.

illustrate the principles

47

by which he was guided

in-

and propositions ofjurisprudence, which

lawyer must have freque7it occasion to employ. "Mr. Phillu

establishing the great lines

every

more has done good

this

service

towards the study of jurisprudence in

The work is one

country by the production of this volume.

which should

be in the

hands of every student."

Athenaeum.

Rogers. COBDEN AND POLITICAL OPINION.

TiiOROi.n Rogers.

8vo.

By

" Will be found most useful by politicians of every school, as

a sort of handbook to Cobden's teaching." Athen^um.

Smith.

Works by

Professor

J.

E,

\os. 6r/.

Goldwin Smith

it

forms

A LETTER TO A WHIG MEMBER OF THE SOUTHERN

INDEPENDENCE ASSOCIATION. Extra fcap. 8vo. 2s.
THREE ENGLISH STATESMEN: PYM, CROMWELL
PITT. A Course of Lectures on the Political History of England.
New

Extra fcap. 8vo.

and Cheaper Edition.

5^.

"yi work which neither historian nor politician can safely afford to
neglect."
SATURDAY Review." " There are outlines, clearly and

boldly sketched, if fnere outlines, of the three Statesmen

titles to

his lectures,

who give

the

whicharewell deservingof study." Svy-CTATOK.

Social Duties Considered with Reference to the

ORGANIZATION OF EFFORT IN WORKS OF BENEVOLENCE AND PUBLIC UTILITY. By a Man of
Business.

Stephen

(William Rathbone.)
(C.

Fcap. Svo.

4^. 6d.

E.) the service of the poor

Being an Inquiry into the Reasons for and against the Establish-

ment

of

Sisterhoods

Religious

Caroline Emilia Stephen.

Miss Stephen

defines

Religious

for

Charitable

Crown

Svo.

Sista'hoods

6s.

as

Purposes.

By

6d.

'^associations, the

based upon the assumption that works 0/

charity are either acts of^vorship in themselves, or means to an end,

organization of which

is

that end being the spiritual welfare of the objects or the performers
of those works."

Arguing from

that point of view, she devotes the

MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF

48

part of her volume to a brief history of religious associations,

taking as specimens /. The Deacotiesses of the Primitive Church.
II. TheBeguines. III. The Third Order of S. Francis. IV. The

first

Sisters

of Charity of S. Vincent de Paul.

Modern Germany.

In

the second part,

V. The Deaconesses of
Miss Stephen attempts to

show -what are the real 7vants met by Sista-hoods, to zvhat extent the
same zvants may be effectually met by the organization of corresponding institutions on a secular basis, and what are the reasons
The ablest advocate of a better line of
for endeavouring to do so.
'

'

work

in this direction than 7oe have ever seen."

Stephen

F.)

(J.

Works

EXAMINER.

by James Fitzjames Stephen,

Q.C.:-

A GENERAL VIEW OF THE CRIMINAL LAW OF ENGLAND.

8vo.

The

of

object

iSj.

an account of the general scope,

an important part of our institutions,

this zvork is to give

tendency, a)id design of

of which surely none can have a greater moral significance, or be

more closely coftnected with broad pi-inciples of mo7-ality and
politics, than those by which men rightfully, deliberately, and in
cold blood, kill, enslave, atid otheitvise torment their fellow-

The author believes it possible to explain the principles

creatures.
of such a system in a manner- both intelligible and ittteresting.
^'
Readers feel in his book the confidence which attaches to the writings
of a man who has a great practical acquaintance with the matter
of zvhich he

writes,

and lawyers

will agree that

^'^

His style

THE INDIAN EVIDENCE ACT

(I.

of 1872).

duction on the Principles of Judicial Evidence.

Works by W.

ON LABOUR

fully satisfies

forcible and perspicuous,

is

unnecessary use

Thornton.

it

SATURDAY

Review,
and singularly free from the
of professional tei-fns." SPECTATOR.

the standard of professional accuracy

T.

With an
8vo.

Intro-

I2S. 6d.

Thornton, C.B.:

Wrongful Claims and Rightful Dues ;

Second Edition,
Actual Present State and Possible Future.
vised.

8vo.

Its

14^.

A PLEA FOR PEASANT PROPRIETORS

of a Plan
revised.

for

Its
re-

their

Crown

8vo.

Establishment in
"^s.

6d.

With

Ireland.

the Outlines

New

Edition,

WORKS ON LA NG UA GE.

49

WORKS CONNECTED V^^ITH THE SCIENCE

OR THE HISTORY OF LANGUAGE.
Abbott. A SHAKESPERIAN GRAMMAR

An

Attempt

the Differences between Elizabethan and

to

Modern

illustrate

some of

English.

By the Rev. E. A. Abbott, M.A., Head Master of the

London School. For the Use of Schools. New and

City of

Extra fcap. 8vo.

Enlarged Edition.

6j.

"Vahtable not only as an aid to the critical study 0/ Shakespeare,

but as tending to familiarize the reader with Elizabethan English
in general." ATKEi^JEVM.

Besant. STUDIES IN early FRENCH POETRY.

Walter Besant, M. A.

Crown

8vo.

By

8s. 6d.

Breymann. a FRENCH GRAMMAR BASED ON PHILOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES. By Hermann Breymann, Ph.D.,

Lecturer on French Language and Literature at

Manchester.

Extra fcap. 8vo.

" Wc dismiss

the

work

Owens

College,

4s. 6d.

luith every Jeding

of

It

satisfaction.

fail to be taken into use by all schools which endeavour to

stuay of French a means to^cards the higher culture."

cannot

make

the

EDUCA-

TIONAL Times.

Hadley. ESSAYS

philological

Selected from the Papers of

Greek

in

Yale College, &c.

and

CRITICAL.

James Hadley, LL.D.,

8vo.

i6s.

Professor of

MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF

so

Few members of our

'
'

yet so sound as

is

universities

have produced work so varied and

They are viarked by

contained in these essays.

a genuine erudition, and a thorough knowledge of all that has been

written on their several subjects, to which not one in ten of our
lectu7-ers could make any claijn ; but still more striking is the good

judgment which they show, and their conspicuous fairness. Rarely

have we read a book which gives us so high a conception of the writer''
whole nature

the 7)erdicts are clear

and well-balanced, and there

not a line of unfair, or even unkindly criticisjn."

is

Hales. LONGER ENGLISH POEMS.

Athen^um.

With Notes,

Philo-

and Explanatory, and an Introduction on the Teaching of

Edited by J W. Hales,
Chiefly for use in Schools.
English.

logical

M.A.,

late

bridge

Fellow and Assistant Tutor of Christ's College, Cam-

Lecturer in English Literature and Classical Composition

at

King's College School, London

4J-

6d.

&c. &c.

Extra fcap. 8vo.

This work has been in preparation for sotne years, and part of it
has been used as a class-book by the Editor for the last two years.
It

is

and

an aid to

intended as

the Critical study of English Literature,

contains one or tnore of the larger poems, each complete, of

prominent English Authors from Spenler to Shelley, including

Burns' Saturday Night and Twa Dogs. In all cases the original spelling and the text of the best editions have been given ; only
in one or two poems has it been deemed necessary to make slight
ojuissions and changes, that the ^^ reverence due to boys might be
The latter half of the volume is occupied with
well observed."
copious notes, critical, etymological,

give the learner

much

English tongue.

An

and

explanatory, calculated to

insight in the structure

Index

to the notes is

and connection of the

appended.

Hare. FRAGMENTS OF TWO ESSAYS IN ENGLISH

PHILOLOGY. By the late Julius Charles Hare, M.A.,
Archdeacon of Lewes.

8vo.

3^'.

6d.

a comparative grammar
OF THE teutonic LANGUAGES Being at the same

Helfenstein (James).

time a Historical
prising

Gothic,

Grammar

of the English Langviage, and coin-

Anglo-Saxon,

Early English,

Modern English,

WORKS ON LANGUAGE.

5j

(Old Norse), Danish, Swedish, Old High German,

Middle High German, Modem German, Old Saxon, Old Frisian,
and Dutch. By James Helfexstein, Ph.D. 8vo. i8x.
Icelandic

This work traces the different stages of dez'elopment through which the
various Teutonic languages have passed, and the laws which have

The reader

regulated their growth.

relation zvhich these languages bear to

language in particular,

is

thus enabled

one another,

study the

to

and to

the

Eng-

which special attention is drooled

throughout.
In the chapters on Ancient and Middle Teutonic
languages no grammatical form is omitted the knowledge of 'which
is required for the study of ancient literature, whether Gothic or
Anglo-Saxon or Early English.
To each chapter is prefixed a

lish

sketch shelving the relation

Greek, Latin,

and

to

of the Teutonic
Those

Sanskrit.

to the

who have

cognate languages
mastei-ed the book

will be in a position to proceed with intelligence to the more elaborate

works of Grimm, Bopp,

Morris.

Pott, Schleicher,

and others.

HISTORICAL OUTLINES OF ENGLISH ACCIDENCE, comprising Chapters on the History and Development

of the Language, and on Word-formation.

By

the Rev.

Richard

Morris, LL.D., Member of the Council of the Philol. Soc,

Lecturer on English Language and Literature in King's College
School, Editor of "Specimens of Early Enghsh, " etc., etc.
Third Edition.

Fcap. 8vo.

6j.

Dr. Morris has endeavoured

used by students

and

In the writing of

to

this volume,

researches into our language

in England, America,

Oliphant.
By

T.

THE

L.

Mr.

work which can

be profitably

he has taken advantage of the

all the most eminent scholars

made by

and on

the Continent.

SOURCES OF STANDARD ENGLISH.

Kington Oliphant,

Extra fcap. 8vo.

'^

wiHte a

by the upper forms in our public schools.

of

Balliol

College,

Oxford.

6s.

Oliphant'' s bock

is, to

scholarly contributions to

our mind, one of the ablest and most

our standard English 7ue have seen for

many years.'' SCHOOL BOARD CHRONICLE.

" The book comes

nearer to a history of the English language than anything we have

seen since such a history could be written, without confusion and
contradictions."

Saturday

Review.

MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF

52

M.A.) an INTRODUCTION TO GREEK

AND LATIN ETYMOLOGY. By John Peile, M.A.,

Peile (John,
Fellow and

Assistant

Tutor

of

New

Crown

and revised Edition.

College,

Christ's

Cambridge,

University of Cambridge.

formerly Teacher of Sanskrit in the

8vo.

los. bd.

These Philological Lectures are the result oj A'otes made during the
author's readingfor some years p-evious to their publication. These

Notes were put into the shape of

College, as

one

delivered at Chrisfs

lectures,

in the "Intercollegiate"

set

They have been

list.

printed with some additions and modifications, but substantially

''The book may be accepted as a very
as they were delivered.
Saturday
valuable contribution to the science of language."

Review.

Philology. THE JOURNAL OF SACRED AND CLASSICAL PHILOLOGY. Four Vols. 8vo. 12s. 6d.

THE JOURNAL OF PHILOLOGY, New

John

G. Clark, M.A.,

Wright, M.A.

Nos.

E. B.

I.,

II.,

Series.

Edited by

W.

Mayor, M.A., and W. Aldis

III.,

and IV. 8vo.

4^. 6d.

each.

(Half-yearly.)

Roby (H. J.) A GRAMMAR OF THE LATIN LANGUAGE,

FROM PLAUTUS TO SUETONIUS. By Henry John
Roby, M.A.,
In

Two

Parts.

Edition.

Crown

"The

book

III.

is

8vo.

loj-.

marked by
It

is

St.

John's College, Cambridge.

Book Sounds. Book

Word Formation. Appendices. Second
Part
6d.
Spitax, Prepositions,

containing

Athen^um.
Scotsman.

Works by

II.

I.

II.

8j-.

6d.
the clear

and practical insight of a 7naster

a book which would do honour

the best results of

Taylor.

I.

Cro\vn 8vo.

&c.

his art.

Part

Book

Inflexions.

Fellow of

late

to

any

in

country.^'

Brings before the student in a methodical form

modern philology bearing on the Latin language."
'

'

the Rev. Is.\AC

ETRUSCAN RESEARCHES.

Taylor, M.A. :

With Woodcuts.

8vo.

i\s.

WORKS ON LANGUAGE.

Taylor

53

continued.

This zvork

is

the result of the author's researches for the purpose of

elucidating the obscure relationships which subsist between the preKeltic peoples

Times

says:

and the existing non-Aryan races of Europe. The

^' The learning and industry displayed
in this

The ultimate verdict

of science we shall not attempt to anticipate ; but we can safely say
this, that it is a learned booh which the unlearned can enjoy, and
volume deserve the most cordial recognition.

that in the descriptions of the tomb-builders, as well as in the

maniellous coincidences and unexpected analogies brought together

by the author, readers of

e^oery

grade

may

WORDS AND PLACES

or,

Etymological Illustrations

History, Ethnology, and Geogi-aphy.

"/

of

By the Rev. Isaac Taylor.

Third Edition, revised and compressed.

8vo.

take delight as well as

and scholars."

philosophers

With Maps.

Globe

6j-.

this edition the work has been recast with the intention oj fitting it
for the use of students and general readers, rather than, as
The book
before, to appeal to the judgment of philologers.
has already been adopted by many teachers, and is prescribed
as a text-book in the Catnbridge Higher Examinations for
Women: and it is hoped that the reduced size and price, and
the other changes now introduced, may make it more generally

useful than heretofore for Educational purposes.

Trench.

Works by

Dublin. (For other

R. Chenevix Trench, D.D., Archbishop of

Works by the same Author, see Theological

Catalogue.)
Archbishop Trench has done much

to

spread an interest in the history

of our English tongue, and the Athen^um says, "his sober

judgment and sound sense are barriers against the misleading
influence of arbitrary hypotheses.^^

SYNONYMS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. New

8vo. cloth.

enlarged.

^'He

is,"

the

knowledge
fidence."

Athen>EUM says, "a

whom his readers may

to

Edition,

I2s.

guide in this department of

entrust themselves with con-

MACMILLAN'S CATALOGUE OF

54

Trench

(R. C.)

coniinued.

ON THE STUDY OF WORDS.

Lectures Addressed (originally)

Diocesan Training School, Winchester.

Fourteenth Edition, revised and enlarged. Fcap. 8vo. 4^. dd.
Pupils

to the

the

at

The

subjects of the several Lectures are

/. ''Introductory.^^
11.
''On the Poetry of Words." III. " On the Morality of Words:'
V. ''On the Rise of Nerv
IV. ''On the History of Words."

Words."

VI.

"On

the Distinction of Words."

" The

VII.

Schoolmaster's Use of Words."

ENGLISH PAST AND PRESENT.

and improved.

Fcap. 8vo.

4^.

Eighth Edition, revised

6fl'.

is a series of eight Lectures, in the first of which Archbishop

Trench considers the English language as it nozu is, decomposes some

This

specimens of it,

and thus discovers of -what elements it is compact. In

the second Lecture he considers ivhat the language might have been

Norman

had never taken place. In the folloiving

from various points of view a comparison
between the present language and the past, points otit gains zvhich it
has 7nade, losses ivhich it has endured, and generally calls attention
if the

Conquest

six Lectures he institutes

to

or

some of the more important changes through which

is

it

has passed,

at present passing.

A SELECT GLOSSARY OF ENGLISH WORDS USED

FORMERLY IN SENSES DIFFERENT FROM THEIR
PRESENT.

Fourth Edition, Enlarged.

Fcap. 8vo.

4s.

many of the most

important of those English zoords which in the course of time have
gradually changed their meanings. The author' s object is to point

This alphabetically arranged Glossary contains

out some of these changes,

to

show hozv

slight

and

to suggest

how many more

subtle, while,

yet most

there

real, these

may

be,

changes

have often been, to trace here and there the progressive steps by
which the old meaning has been put off and the neta put on the
The author thus hopes to
exact road zvhich a word has travelled.
render some assistance to those who regard this as a sei-viceable discipline in the training of their 07un mitids or the minds of others.

WORKS ON LANGUAGE.

55

Trench (R. C.) continued.

ON SOME DEFICIENCIES IN OUR ENGLISH DICTIONARIES

Being the substance of Two Papers read before the

Second Edition, revised and enlarged.
Society.

Philological

8vo.

2>^.

Whitney.
W.

D.

Languages
'
'

COMPENDIOUS GERMAN GRAMMAR.

Whitney,
in

Professor of Sanskrit and Instructor in

Yale College.

Crown

8vo.

By

Modem

6s.

After careful examination ive are inclined to pronounce it the best

grammar of modern language we have ever seen." Scotsman.

Wood Works
Cambridge

by H.

T.

W.

Wood,

B.A.,

Clare

College,

THE RECIPROCAL INFLUENCE OF ENGLISH AND

FRENCH LITERATURE IN THE EIGHTEENTH
CENTURY.

Crown

8vo.

2s..

6d.

CHANGES IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE BETWEEN

THE PUBLICATION OF WICLIF'S BIBLE AND THAT
OF THE AUTHORIZED VERSION a.d. 1400 to a.d. 1600.
;

Crown

Svo.

2s. 6d.

This Essay gained the Le Bas Prize for the year 1870. Besides the
Introductory Section explaning the aim and scope of the Essay,
Section II.
there are other three Sections and three Appendices.

of ^^ English before Chaucer." III. " Chaucer to Caxton."

From Caxton to the Authorized Version." Appendix: I.
"Table of English Literature," A.D. 1300 A.D, 161 1. //.
"Early English Bible." Ill "Inflectional Changes of the Verb."
As ivego with him, " the Athen^um soys, we learn something

treats

IV.

'*

'

'

'

new

Yonge

'

at every

step.

"

HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN NAMES.

lotte M. Yonge, Author

Crown Svo. i/. \s.
Vols.

R.

CLAV, SONS,

of

"The

By Char-

Heir of Redclyffe."

AND TAYLOR, PRINTERS, LONDON.

Two

kA-

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Return this material to the library
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