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by the natives； who shot arrows and yelled for about an hour； but
fortunately did not succeed in wounding any of the men； who were well
protected by the trunks of some very large trees。 The soldiers had fired
away a considerable amount of ammunition in return； until they managed
to escape during the darkness； and run away to head…quarters。
On 3rd June； at about 3 P。M。； when the cattle were grazing in the
beautiful park…like ground about a mile from head…quarters； some Baris；
who had stealthily approached the herd by stalking from bush to bush；
without being observed by the sleepy guards； made a sudden rush with
loud yells among the cattle； and succeeded in driving off ten cows with
which they swam the river without a shot being fired by the unready
soldiers。 （On this occasion the guards must have run away at the first
onset of the natives。）
On the night of the 4th June two natives were captured by the sentries。
These people had crept in the pitch darkness； until they had succeeded
in entering the cattle zareeba。 One of them confessed that a large body
of natives was assembled in the high grass near the banks of the river；
with the intention of attacking the camp during the night。
I immediately took eighteen men； and posted them in three parties of six
at various points about a quarter of a mile from my station。 They were
to lie concealed in these positions； which commanded every approach to
the camp。
At 10。30 P。M。 I was aroused by the sound of firing； and upon arrival at
the shot I found that the sentries had fired into the advanced party of
natives； some of whom they declared to be wounded； but I could find no
trace of blood。
Open war had commenced。 The natives had deserted their villages on the
portion of the island opposite to my camp。 This was about seven miles in
length； therefore； in return for the attacks made upon my people on our
mainland； I determined to pay the Baris a visit。
I issued the necessary orders。 At 3 A。M。； on June 5th； five boats with
sixty men dropped silently down the east channel of the river； with
orders to land at the extreme end of the island。 At the same time two
companies of troops landed opposite my station； where they waited in the
dark until the steamer； with myself and two companies on board； had
rounded the head of the island； and had obtained a position in the west
channel。 The troops then advanced while the steamer ran easily down the
strong current。 Everything went well； but the noise of the paddles
quickly gave the alarm； and the sound of a big drum in the distance was
almost immediately responded to by many others from various points。
The steamer now ran at half speed along the river； the intention of
cutting off any native canoes； or intercepting any herds of cattle that
might be passing to the west mainland。 Every arrangement was well
carried out； but； unfortunately； as we were running at about nine miles
an hour； the steamer suddenly struck upon a sand…bank； where she
remained fixed。
After some vain attempts to float her； I instructed Raouf Bey to do his
best with her； and act； according to circumstances； at his own
discretion； while I left the steamer in the dingy； accompanied by
Lieutenant Baker and six soldiers of the 〃Forty Thieves；〃 with the
intention of joining the two companies under Lieutenant…Colonel
Abd…el…Kader； who were marching down the island from south to north。
We rowed down the stream for forty…five minutes along the west bank of
the island。 I had calculated the distance by time； and having allowed
for the delay on the steamer and the pace at which the troops under
Abd…el…Rader would march； I concluded that we should now land somewhere
near them。 This turned out correct； as we joined his party a few minutes
after we had left the boat。 I immediately detached a sergeant and
nineteen men to march along the east bank until they should meet my
boat； which had been ordered to continue along the west bank until it
should turn round the tail of the island； when it was to return home by
the east channel； that would lead direct to my station。
We had not seen any Baris upon the island； which appeared to be quite
deserted。 The character of the ground had changed。 We had left the dry
portion； which had been lately sown with dhurra； and we had arrived
among scattered masses of tall reeds growing from mud lately hardened by
the sun and full of deep cattle…ruts。
I threw out skirmishers； as we shortly entered a bad piece of country。
At this moment wo heard shots fired at the tail of the island； about two
miles in our front。
We pushed on at the double； until stopped by a deep channel of the river
about thirty yards wide。 On the other side we now heard the horns of the
natives and the lowing of cattle。 It was necessary to skirt the banks of
the channel through thick forest； thus； following the stream； we shortly
arrived at the main river； just in time to see the natives at a distance
of a quarter of a mile swimming a large herd of cattle across the stream
to the east shore； where they landed and safely gained the forest。 They
were quickly pursued by the troops who； having landed at the tail of the
island； were in chase； and being supplied with boats； they crossed over
the river and followed hard upon the track of the retreating cattle。
The Baris did not suspect that they would be followed to the main shore；
thus upon reaching the forest they continued their retreat leisurely。 My
black troops were wonderful runners； thus； when once upon the track of
the herd； they went along like hounds and overtook the Baris； who had no
idea of the pursuit until the soldiers were among them。 The affair ended
by the capture of a portion of the herd； and the return to camp at 5。30
P。M。 We had eaten nothing since the previous evening； as the boat
containing our breakfast had not yet appeared。 We had been on our legs
in the sun for fourteen hours； thus we were ready for dinner on the
return to camp。 I was anxious about the missing boat。 On the following
day； June 6； at 4。40 P。M。； the lost dingy arrived with her crew all
safe。 They had missed their way by taking a wrong channel of the river；
which led them into a labyrinth of high reeds； where they were obliged
to pass the night among clouds of mosquitoes。
On the following day they began the tedious journey by rowing homeward
against the stream。 They came suddenly upon a large body of natives； who
immediately attacked them with arrows； one of which went through the
trousers of a soldier。 My men told a long story； and made themselves out
to be perfect heroes； but my servants and the boatmen told a very
different tale； and declared that they had thrown themselves down in the
bottom of the boat to avoid the arrows； and my servant； Mohammed Haroon；
had himself fired my heavy gun loaded with mould shot at the enemy。
On 7th June I discovered that the Baris of Gondokoro had leagued
themselves with the natives of Belinian against us。
They had attacked conjointly on several occasions。 On this day the
natives in force having； as usual； crept stealthily from bush to tree
without being perceived by the soldiers； made a sudden rush upon th