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To be considered a 〃gentleman〃 （which he pronounced in English）； was
in his estimation a great honour。
I was delighted with the lasting impression that had been made by the
manners of our country； and certainly； in courtesy and hospitality；
Djiaffer Pacha thoroughly represented the qualities of the name he
coveted。 Whenever we differed in opinion upon official matters； we were
always cordial in our private capacity。
On 6th October the post arrived from Cairo with the astounding news of
the battle of Sedan； the capture of the Emperor Napoleon； the revolution
in Paris； and the fall of the Napoleon dynasty！ Never were so many
grave events condensed in one despatch。 I felt much for de Bizemont： he
had become a general favourite； and I had received him con amore as one
of our party。 This was a blow too terrible even for his high spirit。 He
had received the greatest kindness from the emperor and empress； and his
loyalty was shown by the deepest grief； and an immediate resolve to give
up the expedition； and to return to share the trembling fortunes of his
country。 We had ourselves received much kindness from the empress。 Only
a few days before this grave news arrived； my wife had received a token
from her Majesty； graciously bestowed when she was in power and
prosperity； this was now more deeply prized since adversity had fallen
so heavily upon her。
De Bizemont had vigorously commenced his work as a member of the
expedition by accompanying the sections of the third steamer from Cairo
to Berber。 The desert journey was intrusted to the great sheik of the
Arabs； Hussein Halifa； who had already so notably distinguished himself
in the transport of the two steamers that had arrived with Mr。
Higginbotham。 I was very sorry to say good…bye； and I parted with de
Bizemont and his companion； Le Blanc； with sincere regret。
I had now set everything in order； the vessels were loaded。
On 10th October； 1870； I find this entry in my journal：…
〃Started for Tewfikeeyah。 Thankful to be free from that hateful spot；
Khartoum。 Nothing can exceed the misery of the place at this season。 No
drainagemuddense population； with exaggerated stench。 These enemies
to civilization have at length vanquished the European settlers。
〃Djiaffer Pacha； accompanied by all the big people； came on board to
take an official farewell： embracingbands of musicsalutes of
cannonsteam up； and off； thank God！I with a horrid cold and Julian
with nasty fever。〃
We were short of hands for wood…cutting； thus we only arrived at
Tewfikeeyah on 22d October。 The river was now at its maximum； and had
risen at this spot from the lowest level of the dry season； fourteen
feet and one inch。
We were now busily employed； as I had arranged to start the first
division of the fleet for Gondokoro on the 1st December。
On 25th October several vessels attempted to pass the station with
slaves。 All were captured and the slaves liberated。
〃Many of the women slaves who were released from the slave vessels at
the first capture seemed thoroughly to realize the principle of
'liberte； fraternite； egalite；' as they ran away during the night； not
only with their new clothes recently given them by the government； but
they also stole some of the soldiers' kit。 It is very difficult to
manage these people。 The fact of their having been kidnapped by the
slave…hunters destroys all confidence； and they cannot understand their
true position。 It is difficult to persuade them that the government has
interfered in their behalf simply with a view to their welfare； they
imagine that we have some ulterior object in their release； and many
have a strong suspicion that they may at some future time be transported
to some distant country and sold。 They have been so often deceived that
they cannot understand the truth； and having been accustomed to brutal
treatment； they cannot comprehend the intention of kindness； which they
attribute to a wish to deceive them。 This is a dreadful state of moral
degradation； which nothing but time and patience will overcome。〃
On the 23rd November the wind began steadily from the north。 I was
nearly ready。 Every vessel had been thoroughly repaired； but many were
so rotten that the caulking was considered by the English shipwrights as
quite unreliable for a long voyage。 I had dragged the iron diahbeeah out
of the water； and had substituted new plates in many places where the
metal was honeycombed with rust。 The plate that had been pierced by the
tusks of the hippopotamus was removed； as it proved to be very
defective； and could be broken through with the blow of a heavy hammer；
therefore it was not astonishing that it had been easily penetrated by
the sharp ivory of so powerful an animal。
When the diahbeeah was re…launched； I had her thoroughly painted inside
and out。 In the mean time； I had formed a Robinson…Crusoe…like house；
comprising two small rooms； open on the river…side； but secured at night
and morning by simple Venetian blinds。 The three sides were closed with
planks。 I had paved the floor with the cast…iron plates of the steamer's
engine room； thus it was both level and proof against the white ants。
The two rooms were separated by a partition with a doorway； but no door。
I had not resided in a house since I first occupied the diahbeeah； ten
months ago； as the vessel was more convenient。
On the 29th November； at about four A。M。； I was awakened by a noise in
the adjoining room。 My bedstead was exactly opposite the partition
doorway； that of my wife was on the other side of the room。 At first I
thought the sound proceeded from rats scampering over the tin boxes； but
upon listening attentively； I distinctly heard the lid of a metal box
opened by some person； and again carefully closed。
After a few moments； I heard another box open； and a sound as though
some one was searching among the contents。
Unfortunately my bedstead was the most horrible creaker； in which it was
impossible to turn without producing a noise that would create an alarm；
should a thief be on the alert。
I always slept with a pistol under my pillow； therefore； I gently
grasped the revolver in my hand； and endeavoured quietly to get out of
my noisy bed。
The wretched piece of furniture gave the most alarming creak； this was
immediately succeeded by a sound in the next room of the sudden closing
of a box； and the movement of some person。 I could not be sure that it
was not Lady Baker； who had perhaps required something from a box； and
did not wish to disturb me。 This was not likely； and I felt that no time
must be lost； as my bedstead had given the alarm。 I therefore sprang out
of bed and rushed through the open doorway； just in time to see some
person jump through the Venetian blinds on the river side of the house。
To cry out 〃Who's there？〃 and to fire a shot was the work of an instant；
and jumping after him in pursuit I found myself in darkness； and no one
visible outside my house。 Where was the sentry？ Nowhere！
At the cry of 〃Guard！〃 not a soul appeared； the sentry was not to be
found。 At length； after a search； he turned up in the wrong place；
looking confused； and confessed that he had b