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ismailia-第119章

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portraits were pretty faces; but the hair and dresses were gaudily
ornamented; whereas that of the Princess of Wales was exceedingly
simple; the dress being an evening gown of white satin。

I should have suspected that natives would have preferred the gaudy
attire; without bestowing sufficient admiration on the features。

Kabba Rega now asked 〃why the women in the various portraits all looked
at him?〃 wherever he moved; their eyes followed him。

His chiefs now discovered that the faces in the pictures were also
looking at them; and the eyes followed them whether they moved to the
right or left! This was cojoor; or magic; which at first made them feel
uncomfortable。

One of my wife's female servants; Wat…el…Kerreem; would never remain by
herself in this room; for fear of 〃the eyes that stared at her。〃

Everything that we possessed was now minutely scrutinized。 The guns and
rifles of various breechloading mechanism were all displayed and
admired。 Kabba Rega thoughtfully asked 〃which of them I had intended for
him?〃 His uncle; Rahonka; exclaimed〃You have done wisely in bringing
all those guns as presents for Kabba Rega。〃 My visitors were quite
charmed。 The musical box played various delightful airs; and it was
remarked that it would be more convenient than an instrument which
required the study of learning; as 〃you might set this going at night to
play you to sleep; when you were too drunk to play an instrument
yourself; even if you knew how to do it。〃

This was my young friend Kabba Rega's idea of happinessto go to sleep
drunk; assisted by the strains of self…playing melody。

Of course; the large musical box was asked for; and; of course; I
promised to give it as a present from the Khedive of Egypt; if I found
that Kabba Rega conducted himself properly。

My wife's trinkets; &c。; were now begged for; but it was explained that
such things were private property belonging to the Sit (lady)。 〃The Sit!
the Sit! the Sit!〃 the young cub peevishly exclaimed; 〃everything that
is worth having seems to belong to THE SIT!〃

A small and beautifully…made revolver; with seven chambers; now
attracted his attention。 〃Does this also belong to the Sit?〃 inquired
Kabba Rega。 〃Yes; that is the Sit's own little revolver;〃 was the reply;
at which the young king burst out laughing; saying; 〃Do women also carry
arms in your country? I see everything belongs to the Sit!〃

My wife now gave him some of the finest Venetian beads; of which we only
had a few dozen。 These were much prized。 He was then presented with a
handsome gilt bracelet; set with four large French emeralds。 This was a
treasure such as he had never seen。 He also received a few strings of
fine imitation pearls。

After much delay and vexatious demands for everything that he saw; we at
length got rid of our visitor。

I had explained to Kabba Rega the intended ceremony of hoisting the flag
in the name of the Khedive; and that the country would be in future
under the protection of Egypt; but that he should remain as the
representative of the government。 He seemed highly pleased at the idea
of protection and presents; and expressed himself as very anxious to
witness the ceremony。 。 。 。 。 。 。 On the 14th May; 1872; I took formal
possession of Unyoro in the name of the Khedive of Egypt。

I recalled to the recollection of Kabba Rega and his chiefs the day
when; many years ago; I had hoisted the British flag; and thus I had
turned back the invading force of Wat…el…Mek; and saved Unyoro。 I now
declared that the country and its inhabitants would be protected by the
Ottoman flag in the same manner that it had been shielded by the Union
Jack of England。

There was a tall flag…staff fixed at the east end of the government
house。

The bugle sounded the 〃taboor;〃 the troops fell in; the irregulars (late
slave…hunters) formed in line with that charming irregularity which is
generally met with in such rude levies。

Kabba Rega had received due notice; and he quickly appeared; attended by
about a thousand people。

The band played; Kabba Rega's drums and horns sounded; and the troops
formed a hollow square to listen to a short address。

Kabba Rega was invited within the square; and the men faced about with
fixed bayonets; as though prepared to receive cavalry。 It was now
explained to the young king that this formation defended all sides from
attack at the same time。 He seemed more interested in getting out again;
than in the explanation of military tactics。 He evidently had suspicions
that he was fairly entrapped when he found himself in the middle of the
square。

The flag was now hoisted with due formality; the usual military salutes
took place; volleys were fired; and the crowd at length dispersed;
leaving the Ottoman flag waving in a strong breeze at the head of the
flag…staff。

As a proof of his satisfaction; Kabba Rega immediately sent me a present
of twelve goats。

One of the soldiers had been caught in the act of stealing potatoes from
a native。 This having been proved conclusively against him; I sent word
to Kabba Rega to summon his people to witness the punishment of the
offender。

A great crowd of natives assembled; and the thief having received
punishment in their presence; was confined in the stocks; and was
condemned to be sent back to Gondokoro。 This strict discipline had a
strong moral effect upon my men; as thefts; which had formerly been the
rule; had now become the exception。 The natives were always assured of
justice and protection。

On 19th May; my people were ready to start; with the post and the
prisoner Suleiman; to Fatiko。 Kabba Rega declared that the 300 carriers
were in readiness with fifty loads of flour for the journey; and he said
that he had already sent orders to Foweera to prepare the deserted
zareeba of Suleiman for the reception of Major Abdullah and his
detachment on their arrival。

The party was to consist of a serjeant and ten men (regulars); together
with twenty…five irregulars under the charge of my old Cairo dragoman;
Mohammed。

Ali Genninar had the military command in the place of the second vakeel;
Eddrees; who was suffering from chronic dysentery。 I had arranged that
the party should start on the following day。

In the afternoon I had an interview with Kabba Rega in his private
divan; within our garden。 I was suddenly interrupted by Ali Genninar and
a few of his men; who presented themselves in the face of Kabba Rega; to
inform me that they could not start without their guns!

It appeared that on the day that Abd…el…Kader had ordered Kabba Rega to
disarm the people of Suleiman upon his first arrival at Masindi; the
young king had certainly ordered their disarmament; but he had himself
retained their arms and ammunition; in addition to a goatskin bag with
about 300 rounds of ball…cartridge。 This had never been reported to me。

The mendacious young king had the audacity to deny this; in face of
several witnesses; and he would at once have retired from the divan (and
probably I should never have seen him again) had I not insisted upon his
remaining until the affair had been thoroughly explained。

It was then discovered that he had return
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