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plan。 The natives generally approached unperceived by means of this
winding trench； which entirely concealed them。 The banks of this river
were in most places nearly perpendicular； and were about nine feet deep。
The river was about sixty or seventy paces broad； and was nearly dry； as
a very shallow stream flowed through the centre of its bed。
If the high banks were occupied for a distance of several miles by small
parties of sharpshooters concealed in high dhurra； or behind an
ant…hill； or crouched in high grass or bush； or in anything that would
serve as a protection； it would be impossible for the Baris to approach
by the favourite river…bed； without being exposed to a deadly fire from
the long line of sentries。
I therefore selected a position commencing far beyond my line of posts；
and entirely commanding the river…bed for a distance of several miles。
The soldiers were delighted with the plan suggested。 I arranged that
before daylight on the following morning； they should occupy the
positions assigned in parties of two men if sniders； or three if
muskets； at intervals of one hundred paces； thus the country would be
protected by a chain of guards perfectly concealed from view。
I gave orders to the officers commanding the two stockades to carry out
this system throughout the neighbourhood； so that it would be impossible
for any enemy to move without falling into an ambuscade。
At daybreak I was up； and as usual drank my coffee and smoked the
morning pipe。 At that time my wife and I occupied a tent outside the
stockade； beneath the most magnificent tamarind…tree that I have ever
seen。 From this spot we had a clear view of the country。 On the west of
the plain； two miles distant； rose the mountain of Belinian。 On the east
was park…like land interspersed with fine ornamental timber； through
which the river winded。 For about a hundred acres around the camp； the
high dhurra had been cut down； therefore the view was uninterrupted。
Everything was perfectly still at this early hour； the birds were only
beginning to chirp； and the vultures were just lazily assembling to see
if they could discover one more morsel at the slaughtering…place of the
preceding day。
No one would have suspected that the entire neighbourhood was occupied
by sharpshooters； for a distance of some miles。 The wily Baris had
delighted in their leopard…like tactics； which had given them several
opportunities of inflicting loss upon the troops。 They now commenced
their daily occupation； and started in small but numerous parties from
their distant villages； for the purpose of waylaying any stragglers。 The
sun rose； and with my telescope I observed natives about half a mile
distant on the other side of the river； sometimes these people
disappeared in the high dhurra； every now and then they reappeared； then
again they were lost to view。 They were stealthily approaching for the
purpose of occupying their positions for concealment。 These wily Baris
imagined that we were； as usual； keeping on the alert around the camp；
but they had no idea that the leopard was himself so near the hidden
snare。
Suddenly a puff of white smoke shot rip from the bright green grass on
the other side of the river…bedthen another； followed by the reports
of two rifles！ I saw natives running at full speed to the left。 Another
and another puff of smoke issued from a different quarter； as the
astonished Baris in their hasty retreat stumbled over the next
ambuscade。 I now saw a native running like a deer； but chased like a
good deerhound by one of the 〃Forty Thieves。〃 The native was so hard
pressed by this good runner； who was encumbered with clothes； rifle； and
ammunition； that he had been obliged to throw away his bow and arrows；
together with his lance。 He now gained upon the soldier slightly； but
they were not five paces apart when they disappeared in the high dhurra。
That soldier was Ali Nedjar； of the 〃Forty Thieves；〃 the strongest man；
the best shot； and the fleetest runner of the force。 Presently I heard a
shot。
Throughout that day occasional shots were heard in every conceivable
quarter。 I took a walk through the country； attended by a few of my men；
and upon several occasions I was challenged from a bush； or tump of high
grass； showing that the men were all in position and well concealed。
When the bugle recalled the sharpshooters in the evening； each had some
adventure to recount； and the whole camp rejoiced in the success of the
manoeuvre； it was a case of 〃the biter bit。〃
The men now looked forward to this employment； and starting at daybreak；
they took their supply of food for the day。
Some of them were very clever at this kind of service； especially Ali
Nedjar。 Ali was a native of Bongoa broad…shouldered； muscular fellow；
with thighs like a grasshopper。 It was a pleasure to see him run； and to
witness the immense power and speed with which he passed all competitors
in the prize races； in which I sometimes indulged my men。 Ali Nedjar was
a good soldier； a warm lover of the girls； and a great dancer； thus；
according to African reputation； he was the ne plus ultra of a man。
Added to this； he was a very willing； good fellow； and more courageous
than a lion。
I had several men of Ali Nedjar's stamp in 〃The Forty；〃 among which were
the three FerritchFerritch Agha Suachli； Ferritch Ajoke （formerly
condemned to be shot）； and Ferritch Baggara； and it may be easily
imagined that a corps composed of such material was an awkward enemy for
the Baris。
After a few days； the ground became almost too hot for the natives。 They
now ascended high trees； from which they could survey the country and
direct the movements of their scouts。 Ali Nedjar was too much for them
even with this precaution。 He had observed them like rooks in a large
tree at a great distance。 The tree grew wild in a field of high dhurra；
and while the wily Baris were looking out from their lofty post；
expecting to discover us in the distance； the still more wily Ali Nedjar
had crept on hands and knees through the corn； and was actually beneath
the tree！
The report of a snider rifle under their feet； and the fall of one of
their party； was the first intimation they received of the soldier's
presence。
This plan of occupying the country was most successful； and in a short
time the Baris entirely abandoned the neighbourhood。 They confessed
afterwards； that it was useless to attempt to fight with such people； as
the earth was full of soldiers who sprang up out of the ground beneath
their feet。
We had been thirty…five days at Belinian； and the enemy had been
entirely subdued。 I explained to them my determination of paying them
another visit should we ever be disturbed again at Gondokoro； thus if
they wished for peace； they must remain quiet。
The soldiers and sailors； including all the women of the camp； were
employed for some days in conveying the corn to head…quarters。 If our
people had worked well； we should have had a supply for twelve months。
Instead of which； a force of 650 men had actually delivered in the
magazine only 150 urdeps； or about 670 bushels。
I have naturally omitted many military incidents