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as the ravines were numerous； and the forest dark and tangled。 It was
difficult for our solitary horse （Jamoos） to carry his load； as it
became continually hooked in the hanging loops of the wild vines。 We
were quickly attacked by various ambuscades； in one of which my wife
suffered the loss of a great favourite。 This was poor little Jarvah； who
went by the name of the 〃fat boy。〃 Two spears struck the unhappy lad at
the same moment one of which pinned both his legs as though upon a spit；
the other went through his body。 This loss completely upset my wife； as
the unfortunate Jarvah had upon several occasions endeavoured to protect
her from danger。 He was killed only a few paces behind her。
In one of the ambuscades； just as the enemy had been repulsed； Faddul；
the strongest man in the 〃Forty Thieves〃； who was close to me； carrying
his knapsack on his back； his rifle slung across his shoulders； and a
box of 500 snider cartridges （64 lbs。） upon his head； walked up to me
during the halt and reported himself as badly wounded。
A spear had struck him obliquely in the posterior； and had taken a
direction towards the groin。 The nian was literally bathed in blood；
which ran from him in such a stream that a large pool was formed at his
feet as he stood before me。
The instant that the box of snider ammunition was taken from his head；
he fell apparently lifeless to the ground。
I thought that he had bled to death。
His rifle and knapsack were removed； and I examined his pulse and heart！
I could not feel any movement。 All I could do was to pour some brandy
very slowly down his throat； and to leave him on the side of the path as
another good man lost to the expedition。
We marched forward； and in about ten minutes we arrived at an open field
of sweet potatoes。 The change from dark jungle and dense grasses of
giant height to the fresh and clear space cannot be understood； unless
by those who experienced the difficulties of the march。
I halted the advance…guard in the centre of the open field； and waited
for the rear to close up。
As it arrived； I saw a man staggering forward； supported by two
soldiers。 Upon nearer approach； I recognized my strong friend； Faddul；
thus risen front the dead！ The brandy had revived him sufficiently to
show some signs of life； and the rear…guard had thus brought him along
with them。 We laid him down to rest beneath a tree that grew in the
middle of the cultivation。
We were now in a sad difficulty。 There were numerous roads； or rather
very narrow paths； which converged from all quarters upon this potato
ground。 No one knew the direction。 The Baris were completely at fault。
The farther the people explored the immediate neighbourhood； the more
helpless they became。
This was a serious matter。 Up to the present time we had been most
fortunate in keeping to the right path。
I now called my renowned pathfinder； Abdullah； of 〃The Forty〃。
Abdullah made a survey of the surrounding tracks； and then returned to
me with the news that he had discovered the route。 This he immediately
pointed out。
A general exclamation of derision from the officers and many of the men
was the only reward Abdullah received for his important discovery； as
his path was in quite an opposite direction to the route they had
anticipated。
The compass corroborated Abdullah's road； but before I adopted it； I
asked him why he declared so positively that he knew the way？ He
replied； that when on the march from Foweera； he had observed a
peculiarly…shaped tree； upon which was fastened a native cojoor； or
spell。 That tree was on rising ground above a ravine； and he could now
show me both the ravine and the magic tree。
I accompanied him to the spot； and certainly the tree was there； with
some pieces of ragged bark…cloth and some grass tied to the stem。 I had
often seen talismans that were fastened to the trees； and I suggested to
Abdullah that there were many of them along the road。 He was so
confident in accepting every responsibility as guide； that I followed
him without hesitation； and the march continued。 The wounded Faddul was
supported as before。
In a short time I myself recognized the path as being very near to
Kisoona； which place we suddenly entered after a march of thirty…five
minutes from the potato field。 The advance…guard fired a volley at some
natives； who rushed into the grass upon our unexpected arrival。
We were now in open ground； with good native huts for shelter； and a
large extent of cultivation； where an unlimited supply of potatoes could
be obtained。
As the rear…guard closed up； I mustered all officers and men。 Having
spoken a few words of encouragement； and complimented them upon their
extreme steadiness since I had lectured them at Chorobeze； I
congratulated them upon having advanced so far； under God's protection；
through such numberless enemies； with comparatively so little loss。 We
were now only twenty…one miles from Foweera； and we knew the road。 The
news of our arrival would almost immediately reach Rionga； and I should
fortify this spot and remain here for some days to allow my wounded to
recover their strength。 During this time all hands would be employed in
preparing potatoes for store； by cutting them in slices and drying them
in the sun。
I now ordered the band to strike up with the greatest vigour； to show
the natives who might be within hearing； that we were in the best of
spirits。
My officers and men were all delighted； and overwhelmed me with
compliments。 I only replied by begging them always to trust in God； and
to do their duty。
I immediately started off a party to dig potatoes； while Lieutenant
Baker and myself； with a number of men； slashed down with sabres the
extensive grove of plantain trees； so as to have a perfectly clear space
around the camp。
We made a strong defence at Kisoona； and the rest of several days was
invigorating to the wounded men； and enabled my wife's feet to recover
sufficiently to continue the march on the 23rd June。
I had arranged that the drums and bugles should sound the morning call
at 5 A。M。 daily； as though in a permanent camp。 This was to assist me in
a plan for avoiding ambuscades on the day of marching from Kisoona。
On the 22nd I gave orders that every man should be ready to march
punctually at 5 A。M。； the instant that the morning call should have
sounded。
The natives； hearing the call to which they had been daily accustomed；
would have no suspicion of our intended departure； therefore they would
not have sufficient time to organize and man their ambuscades。
On the morning of the 23rd June we silently evacuated the camp in the
semi…darkness； the instant that the drums and bugles had ceased； and
thus obtained an excellent start that saved us much trouble。 The attacks
later in the day were feebler than usual； and after a march of fourteen
miles we arrived at a well of water at 2。5 P。M。； at which spot we halted
for the night。 During this march we had only one man wounded。
We were now within Rionga's country； but I nevertheless made a defence
of thorns and branches of trees for the night。
On 24th June we started at 6。5 A。M。； and after