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interval that the officers of the expedition had fraternized with the
White Nile traders who resided at Khartoum。
The result of such intimacy might be imagined。
The object of the expedition had always been distasteful to both
officers and men。 The traders had already seen by the； examples made at
Tewfikeeyah that I should actually destroy their cherished slave…trade。
It was therefore natural that Abou Saood should exert himself to ruin
the expedition。 Having friend in Raouf Bey； he was in a position to
create division of opinion。 He constantly associated with this officer；
in order that it should be generally known that he was supported by an
influential person in the government service。 The scandal of the camp
quickly assumed that the opinions concerning the slave…traders between
myself and Raouf Bey were at variance。
The officers of the expedition had； contrary to my express orders；
purchased 126 slaves from the stations of the traders during the White
Nile voyage！ I had only learnt this on arrival at Gondokoro； thus when
corn was so scarce that the rations were reduced； while those of meat
were increased； we had an addition of 126 mouths！
The policy of the slave…traders was identical with the feelings of the
officers and men； all of whom wished to abandon the expedition and
return to Khartoum。 Abou Saood worked molelike in his intrigues。 He
fraternized secretly with Allorron and his Baris。 Many of his men
purchased tobacco from the natives in exchange for ammunition。 The
natives from Belinian were in daily communication with Abou Saood's
camp； and their spies obtained information of our proceedings； and
carried the news throughout the country that 〃they would be supported by
Abou Saood against my authority。〃
I learnt everything that occurred through trustworthy agents。 It quickly
became known that Raouf Bey was desirous to terminate the expedition。
The contagion spread rapidly； and the men worked languidly and without
the slightest interest： they had made up their minds that the expedition
was a failure； and that a scarcity of corn would be their excuse for a
return to Khartoum。 Abou Saood fanned the flame among the officers； and
discontent became general。
In the mean time the Baris were very active in annoying the camp at
night。 Although these natives could not stand against the troops in the
open； they harassed them by necessitating a perpetual vigilance both by
night and day。 It was necessary to have strong patrols in two parties at
all hours； and I regret to say the Egyptian officers and men did not
appear to enjoy a state of war where activity and good discipline were
absolutely necessary。 The Soudani officers and men； although ignorant；
were far superior to the Egyptians in activity and courage。
Unfortunately the camp was sickly。 The men now suffered from the fatigue
of the long voyage through slush and marsh。 Many had fever and
dysentery。 Ulcerated legs were prevalent； and this disease appeared to
be contagious。 Many men died from these malignant ulcers； which in some
cases entirely destroyed the foot。 The women did not suffer from this
complaint。 It originated from a poisonous grass that festered the wound
it gave； and rapidly produced an incurable sore。 As the women had not
been exposed to the work in the marshes； they had escaped the scourge
inflicted by the sharp edges of the grass。
There was no rest for the people； they had to build their camp and fight
the Baris at the same time。 A scarcity of corn stared them in the face。
The officers and men were well aware that we could not hope for regular
supplies of corn and reinforcements of troops from Khartoum in the
dreadful state of the river： thus they felt their position keenly； as
sick； dispirited； in the midst of enemies； with approaching famine of
corn； and no communication with the Soudan。 All these difficulties were
to be endured for the sake of an object which they detested〃the
suppression of the slave trade。〃
CHAPTER IX。
NEW ENEMIES
Our enemies were not confined to the land only： the crocodiles in the
neighbourhood of Gondokoro were exceedingly ferocious。 As the natives
were so much in the habit of swimming to and fro with their cattle；
these wily creatures had been always accustomed to claim a toll in the
shape of a cow； calf； or nigger。 Two of Abou Saood's sailors were
carried off on two consecutive days。 One of my soldiers； while engaged
with many others in water； only hip deep； was seized by a crocodile。 The
man； being held by the leg below the knee； made a good fight； and thrust
his fingers into the creature's eyes； his comrades at the same time
assisted and rescued him from absolute destruction； but the leg…bone was
so mashed and splintered in many places that he was obliged to submit to
amputation。
One of my sailors had a narrow escape。 He and many others were engaged
in collecting the leaves of a species of water…convolvulus that make an
excellent spinach； this plant is rooted on the muddy bank； but it runs
upon the surface of the water； upon which its pink blossoms are very
ornamental。
The sailor was stooping from the bank to gather the floating leaves；
when he was suddenly seized by the arm at the elbow…joint； his friends
immediately caught him round the waist； and their united efforts
prevented him from being dragged into the water。 The crocodile； having
tasted blood； would not quit its hold； but tugged and wrenched the arm
completely off at the elbow…joint； and went off with its prize。 The
unfortunate man； in excruciating agony； was brought to the camp； where
it was necessary to amputate another piece slightly above the lacerated
joint。
I made a point of carrying a rifle at all times； simply to destroy these
terrible reptiles。 There never was a better rifle than 〃the Dutchman；〃
made by Holland； of Bond Street。 This little weapon was a
double…barrelled breechloader； and carried the Boxer bullet of
government calibre； with a charge of three drachms of powder。 The
accuracy of both barrels was extraordinary； it was only sighted up to
250 yards； but by taking the head very full； it carried with great
precision up to 300。 I could generally make certain of crocodiles if
basking on a sandbank within a hundred yards； as I could put the bullet
exactly in the right place； either behind the eye； or right through the
centre of the shoulder。 This handy rifle weighed 9…3/4 lbs。； and
throughout the expedition it was almost as much one of my component
parts as a bone of my body。 I had a large supply of ammunition； thus I
never lost an opportunity of shooting at a crocodile's head if I saw one
above the surface。 On many occasions they never moved from the shot when
basking on sand…banks； but were simply extinguished。
One of our women went to the river to wash； but never returned。 This was
close to our diahbeeah； and the water being shallow； there is no doubt
that she was seized by a crocodile。
I was one day returning from head…quarters to my station； a distance of
a mile and a half along the river's bank； when I noticed the large head
of a crocodile about thirty yards from the shore。 I knew every inch of
the river； and I was