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to the dubba； or dry mound； where we had first discovered vestiges of
the traders。 The No。 10 steamer arrived in the evening。 The river is
wider than when we last saw it； but is much obstructed by small islands；
formed of rafts of vegetation that have grounded in their descent。 I
fear we may find the river choked in many places below stream。 No
dependence can ever be placed upon this accursed river。 The fabulous
Styx must be a sweet rippling brook； compared to this horrible creation。
A violent wind acting upon the high waving plain of sugar…cane grass may
suddenly create a change； sometimes islands are detached by the gambols
of a herd of hippopotami； whose rude rambles during the night； break
narrow lanes through the floating plains of water…grass； and separate
large masses from the main body。
〃The water being pent up by enormous dams of vegetation； mixed with mud
and half…decayed matter； forms a chain of lakes at slightly…varying
levels。 The sudden breaking of one dam would thus cause an impetuous
rush of stream that might tear away miles of country； and entirely
change the equilibrium of the floating masses。
〃April 11。I sent a sailing vessel ahead to examine the river； with
orders that she should dip her ensign in case she met with an
obstruction。 Thank God； all is clear。 I therefore ordered the steamers
to remount their paddles。
〃We started at 10 p。m。
〃April 12。At 11。30 p。m。 we met five of Ghatta's ＇*＇ boats bound for
the White Nile。 These people declared their intention of returning；
when they heard the deplorable account of the river。
＇*Footnote： one of the principal Khartoum ivory and slave…traders＇
〃At 2 a。m。 we arrived at our old position； close to our former wood
station in the forest。
〃April 13。Started at 11。30 a。m。 The river has fallen three feet since
we were here； and the country is now dry。 Mr。 Baker and I therefore
walked a portion of the way upon the banks as the diahbeeah slowly
descended the stream。 There were great numbers of wild fowl； also
hippopotami； and being provided with both shot guns and heavy rifles we
made a very curious bag during the afternoon； that in England or
Scotland would have been difficult to carry home； we shot and secured
two hippopotami； one crocodile； twenty…two geese； and twenty ducks。
〃At 7 p。m。 we arrived at the station of Kutchuk Ali。 I sent for the
vakeel； or agent； commanding the company； to whom I thoroughly explained
the system and suppression of the slave trade。 He seemed very
incredulous that it would actually be enforced； but I recommended him
not to make the experiment of sending cargoes of slaves down to
Khartoum； as he had done in previous years。 He appeared to be very
confident that because his employer； Kutchuk Ali； had been promoted to
the rank of sandjak； with the command of a government expedition； no
inquiry would be made concerning the acts of his people。 No greater
proof could be given of the insincerity of the Soudan authorities in
professing to suppress the slave trade； than the fact that Djiaffer
Pacha； the governor…general of the Soudan； had given the command of an
expedition to this same Kutchuk Ali； who was known as one of the
principal slave…traders of the White Nile。
〃April 14。One of my black soldiers deserted； but was captured。 We also
caught a sailor who had deserted to the slave…hunters during our passage
up the river； but as we returned unexpectedly he was discovered。 The
colonel； Raouf Bey； reported this morning that several officers and
soldiers had actually purchased slaves to…day from Kutchuk Ali's
station； thus； the Khedive's troops； who are employed under my command
to suppress the slave trade； would quickly convert the expedition into a
slave market。 I at once ordered the slaves to be returned； and issued
stringent instructions to the officers。
〃I saw this afternoon a number of newly…captured slave women and girls
fetching water under the guard of a scoundrel with a loaded musket。 I
know that the station is full of slaves； but there is much diplomacy
necessary； and at present I do not intend to visit their camp。
〃April 15。To prevent further desertions； it was necessary to offer an
example to the troops。 I therefore condemned the deserter who was
captured yesterday to be shot at noon。
〃At the bugle call； the troops mustered on parade in full uniform。 The
prisoner in irons was brought forward and marched round the hollow
square； accompanied by muffled drums。
〃The sentence having been declared； after a short address to the men；
the prisoner was led out； and the firing party advanced。 He was a fine
young man of about twenty years of age； a native of Pongo； who had been
taken as a slave； and had become a soldier against his will。
〃There was much allowance for desertion under the circumstances； and I
was moved by the manly way in which he prepared for death。 He cast his
eye around； but he found neither sympathy nor friends in the hard
features of the officers and men。 The slave…trader's people had turned
out in great numbers； dressed in their best clothes； to enjoy the fun of
a military execution。 The firing party was ready； the prisoner knelt
down with his back towards them； at about five paces distant。 At that
moment he turned his face with a beseeching expression towards me； but
he was ordered immediately to look straight before him。
〃The order； 'Present；' was given； and the sharp clicking of the locks；
as the muskets were brought on full cock and presented； left but another
moment 。 。 。 。 。
〃At that instant I ordered the firing party to retire； and I summoned
the prisoner； who was brought up in charge of the guard。 In the presence
of all the troops I then explained to him the necessity of strict
discipline； and that the punishment of death must certainly follow
desertion； at the same time I made such allowance for his youth and
ignorance that I determined to reduce the punishment to that of
flogging； which I trusted would be a warning to him and all others。 I
assured him； and the troops generally； that although I should never
flinch from administering severe punishment when necessary； I should be
much happier in rewarding those who should do their duty。 The prisoner
was flogged and kept in irons。 The troops formed into sections of
companies and marched past with band playing； each company cheering as
they passed before me； but the crowd of slave…hunters slunk back to
their station； disappointed that no blood had been spilt for their
amusement。＇*＇
＇Footnote： It 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 promoted to that of sergeant。 His name was Ferritch Ajoke。＇
〃No person except Lieutenant Baker and the colonel； Raouf Bey； had been
in the secret that I HAD NEVER INTENDED TO SHOOT THE MAN。 I had merely
arranged an impressive scene as a coup de theatre； that I trusted might
benefit the MORALE of the men。
〃We were now in the fine clear stream of the Bahr Giraffe； which； having
received