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neither have the natives been interfered with in any manner。 I have
driven the slave…hunters from their country； and my troops from Fatiko
are ordered to restore to Unyoro all the slaves that have been stolen by
the traders。 The disgusting ingratitude and treachery of the negro
surpasses imagination。
〃What is to become of these countries？ all my good…will brings forth
evil deeds。〃
In the battle of Masindi nothing could have exceeded the cool；
soldier…like bearing of both officers and men。 Every man had done his
duty。 In the first onset； when about seven or eight thousand natives had
suddenly attacked the station； the men had not only fallen into position
for the defence of the camp with extraordinary alacrity； but they had
behaved with extreme steadiness and coolness； and not a man had moved
from his post without orders。
The attacking parties； formed exclusively of the 〃Forty Thieves；〃 had
exhibited an activity and elan for which this gallant little corps was
eminently distinguished； and had they been European troops； their
conduct upon this occasion； against such overwhelming odds； would have
covered them with glory。
We had no newspaper correspondents； therefore I must give the due praise
to my officers and men。
During the day I established patrols throughout the now cleared space
lately occupied by the town。
In the afternoon Umbogo was able to call some natives who were within
earshot。 These men explained that the chief； Matonse； was the cause of
the outbreak； and that it was his people who； by his orders； had killed
Monsoor and Ferritch。
Umbogo had been set at liberty during the fight； but I now secured him
by the neck to a leathern thong in the hand of a sentry； for； although a
good man； I could not afford to lose him； and the devil might have
tempted him to run away。
In the afternoon some natives cried out that Kittakara was coming； and
Lieutenant…Colonel Abd…el…Kader； with a few men； immediately went out to
meet him。
Kittakara would not approach within less than about a hundred yards； but
he assured Abd…el…Kader that the outbreak was not the fault of Kabba
Rega； but that the responsibility lay with Matonse； who had escaped； and
that he should be captured and delivered up to me。
He continued to assure Abd…el…Kader that Kabba Rega had already ordered
provisions and a large number of elephants' tusks to be collected for
us； and that； although for the present he was hiding through fear in the
high grass； he would quickly rebuild his divan close to my own； so as to
live in friendship。
It was impossible to credit one syllable in Unyoro。 On the other hand；
should I be unable to bring the enemy to terms； I should be chained to
the spot； as it would be impossible to transport my baggage。
It was an awkward position。 The treachery had been frightful； and I
could only attribute it to Kabba Rega's orders； in spite of the
protestations of Kittakara。 If I should be right in my suspicions； what
would become of Major Abdullah and his detachment？
Nothing would be easier for the 300 natives who had accompanied my
people with the post； than to behave well on the route to Fatiko； in
order to establish confidence。 They could then carry all the effects and
ammunition； in company with Abdullah and his troops； from Fatiko to
Unyoro； and in the prairie wilderness； they might murder every man at
night when asleep； and possess themselves of the arms； ammunition； and
effects； with which they would rejoin Kabba Rega。
This was a frightful idea； and there could be no doubt that such
treachery had been planned； if Kabba Rega were guilty of the attempt to
poison the troops and attack us by surprise。 It was hard to disbelieve
his guilt。
There were no means possible of communication with Abdullah。 In case of
necessity； there was only one move； this was to march to the Victoria
Nile； and form an alliance with Rionga； the old enemy of Kamrasi's
family； whom I had always refused to attack。 I was sure that he must
have heard of my refusal to ally myself with Kabba Rega against him：
thus he would be favourable to the government。
I resolved that； if hostilities should continue； I would proclaim Rionga
representative of the government； as vassal…chief of Unyoro； in the room
of Kabba Rega； deposed。
Rionga would send a letter to warn Major Abdullah at Fatiko； but how was
I to convey my baggage and ammunition from Masindi to Foweera； without a
single carrier； or even a guide？
It was the height of the rainy season； and the grass was about nine or
ten feet high； throughout a country of dense and tangled forest。
I had no interpreter of my own； Umbogo was Kabba Rega's slave； and
although I fancied that he was fond of us； I had no faith in any one of
these detestable people。 This want of confidence was keenly felt at a
time when I required an interpreter in whom I could absolutely trust。 I
was obliged to confide my plan to Umbogo； as I wished him to find some
man among the natives who would take a message to Rionga。
I knew that many people hated Kabba Rega。 Umbogo had frequently assured
me that Mashudi； which was only two days distant from Masindi； to the
south…east； had always been Rionga's stronghold； and that the natives of
that district would rise in favour of their chief； should any reverse
befall Kabba Rega。
The news of the defeat of his army； and the complete destruction of his
capital； would run through the country like wild…fire。 It was well known
that Rionga had spies； who were disguised as friends； even at the court
of Kabba Rega； these agents sent him information of all that occurred。
If Umbogo could communicate with one of these people； I might send off
to Rionga； and beg him to send 300 men to Fatiko； with a letter from
myself to Major Abdullah。 Rionga's people would transport the effects
instead of Rabba Rega's carriers； who would be seized and held as
hostages。 This would save Abdullah from the intended treachery； if it
were done at once； but there was not a moment to lose。
Already fifteen days had elapsed since my party with the post had
started； and by this time they should be near Fatiko； （at that time they
had already been treacherously attacked。） unless they had been delayed
upon the road； as was usual in Unyoro。
If I could depend upon Rionga； he would at once save Abdullah's party；
and he would send a large force to communicate with me at Masindi。
Had I provisions； I could have held my now fortified position against a
whole world of niggers； but with only a hundred men； I should be unable
to forage in this country of high grass； and at the same time defend the
station。
All depended upon the possibility of my communication with Rionga。
Umbogo declared that if I would only march to Mashudi； the natives would
rise in his favour and join me。
I told him that if this were true； he could surely find some person who
would run to Mashudi； and raise the malcontents； who would at once carry
my message to Rionga。
Umbogo promised to do his best： at the same time he expressed an opinion
that Rionga would not wait long in inaction； but that he would invade
Kabba Rega directly that he should hear of