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water; which is another channel of the Un…y…Ame river; that carries off
the main drainage of this country。 We halted to refresh the people and
to have our breakfast on the clean rock that bordered the stream; and
started for the afternoon march at 2 p。m。
During the march I endeavoured to stalk a large bull tetel (Antelope
bubulis); but there was very little chance in so open a country。 The
animal galloped off exactly in a straight line from me at about 200
yards。 I put up the last leaf of the sight; and I distinctly heard the
bullet strike。 The next moment I saw the animal was wounded。 It was just
disappearing over the next undulation; and upon arriving at the spot; I
saw the wounded bull standing about 200 yards before me。
I approached from behind until within 100 paces; without being observed
by the tetel; who was evidently very bad。 Moving slightly to my right; I
was quickly seen; and the animal turned its flank preparatory to making
off。 A shot from the 〃Dutchman〃 through the shoulder killed it on the
spot。
I now found that my first bullet had struck the spine exactly above the
root of the tail。 This large animal was a good supply for the people;
who quickly divided it and continued the march; until; having crossed
another stream; we left the open prairie gad entered a low forest。
Halted for the night。 The march during this day bad been nineteen miles。
On the 20th we marched; from 6 A。M。 till 9。45; through undulating
forest; and halted upon high ground; which commanded a fine view of the
mountain that borders the west shore of the Albert N'yanza; opposite
Magungo; about fifty…five miles S。 S。 W。 From our elevated point we
looked down over a fine extent of country; and the Fatiko natives
pointed out the course of the White Nile from the great lake; along
which was a line of smoke; caused; according to their accounts; by the
fishermen who were at this season burning the high reeds on the river's
bank。
The natives were thoroughly conversant with the country; as they had on
several occasions accompanied the slave…hunters in razzias along the
river to Foquatch and Magungo。 Just as we halted; a party of Umiro
hunters came across our path; but immediately took to flight; as they
supposed we were enemies。
The day's march had been thirteen miles; and we were requested by our
guide; Shooli; to halt for the night; as there was no water for a
considerable distance to the south。
I immediately employed the soldiers in the construction of a cattle
kraal; lest the prowling Umiro should endeavour to scare the animals
during the night。
On 21st March we started at 6 A。M。; and marched thirteen miles through
forest。 We at length reached water; but it was so thick with mud that
the horses refused to drink it。
On the 22nd we were compelled to march twenty…three miles; as the water
was quite undrinkable; the few muddy pools having been stirred into
paste by the buffaloes and elephants。
We now reached the grand Victoria Nile; flowing beneath cliffs of
seventy or eighty feet in depth; through magnificent forest。 It was
refreshing for all parties to obtain pure water after the miserable
fluid we had lately been compelled to drink。
In the evening a sheik and several people; who had known me formerly;
crossed the river from the Unyoro side; and desired an interview。 They
reported that the Khartoum traders had almost destroyed the country; and
they begged me simply to judge with my own eyes。
I must now extract from my journal the entry of the date; as; although
briefly written; it will convey the impression of the moment:
〃March 23; 1872。We marched three miles east; along the banks of the
beautiful Victoria Nile; through fine open forest; until we halted on a
high cliff exactly opposite; the last station of Abou Saood; commanded
by a vakeel named Suleiman。
〃It is impossible to describe the change that has taken place since I
last visited this country。 It was then a perfect garden; thickly
populated; and producing all that man could desire。 The villages were
numerous; groves of plantains fringed the steep cliff's on the river's
bank; and the natives were neatly dressed in the bark cloth of the
country。
〃The scene has changed!
〃All is wilderness! The population has fled。 Not a village is to be
seen!
〃This is the certain result of the settlement of Khartoum traders。 They
kidnap the women and children for slaves; and plunder and destroy
wherever they set their foot。
〃Seleiman and Eddrees; two vakeels; who were well known to me as forming
a portion of Ibrahim's party on my former journey; now came across the
river to visit me。
〃The cunning Abou Saood has never told them of the expiration of the
government contract with Agad & Co。; neither had they any warning of my
expected arrival。
〃I explained the exact state of affairs。
〃The principal sheik of the district; with many people; came to see me。
The chief; Quonga; was one of my old acquaintances; and was formerly the
favourite adviser of Kamrasi。
〃Kamrasi died about two years ago。 His sons fought for the succession;
and each aspirant sought the aid of the traders。 This civil strife
exactly suited the interests of the treacherous Khartoumers。 The several
companies of slave…hunters scattered over the Madi; Shooli; and Unyoro
countries represented only one interest; that of their employers; Agad
and Co。
〃Each company; commanded by its independent vakeel; arrived in Unyoro;
and supported the cause of each antagonistic pretender to the throne;
and treacherously worked for the ruin of all; excepting him who would be
able to supply the largest amount of ivory and slaves。
〃The favourite sons of Kamrasi were Kabba Rega and Kabka Miro; while the
old enemy of the family; Rionga; the cousin of Kamrasi; again appeared
upon the scene。
〃The companies of Abou Saood supported all three; receiving ivory and
slaves from each as the hire of mercenary troops; and at length they
played out their game by shooting Kabka Miro; and securing the throne to
Kabba Rega。
〃They arranged with Rionga that he should be ostensibly banished to a
convenient distance; to be ready as a trump card; should occasion
require; against the new king; Kabba Rega。
〃I explained the new reform to Quonga; and I gave him the following
presents for Kabba Rega; who resides about six days' march south…west of
this spot:
〃One piece entire of Turkey red cloth; one piece grey calico; twelve
pounds of beads of the finest varieties; three zinc mirrors; two razors;
one long butcher's knife; two pair scissors; one brass bugle; one German
horn; two pieces of red and yellow handkerchiefs; one piece of yellow
ditto; one peacock Indian scarf; one blue blanket; six German silver
spoons; sixteen pairs of various car…rings; twelve finger…rings; two
dozen mule harness bells; six elastic heavy brass spring wires; one
pound long white horsehair; three combs; one papier…mache tray; one
boxwood fife; one kaleidoscope。
〃I proclaimed upon all sides that the reign of terror was ended。 As I
formerly; when alone; had defended Kamrasi; and driven out the invaders
under Wat…el…Mek; by hoisting the English ensign; so now I