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of the river islands will always insure a crop； as the roots penetrate
to a depth where they obtain moisture from the river。 As already
described； the troops had worked so badly； that one half of the island
crop had been carried away by birds。 Thus； when the harvest was in their
hands； they neglected to gather it； they now complained that nothing
would succeed in Gondokoro。
Abou Saood had not gone to Khartoum； therefore his journey to Belinian
to request my permission to depart； was only a ruse for some purpose at
present unknown。
I shall now extract verbatim from my journal the entry upon October 13；
1871：
〃October 13； Friday。The truth has burst out at last。 As I have long
expected； the evil spirit has brooded mischief。〃
Late last night I received a letter from Raouf Bey inclosing two others：
one from the regimental officers； addressed to their respective
lieutenant…colonels； the other from the lieutenant…colonels； inclosing
the letters； and seconding the declaration with a petition embodying the
same request to the full colonel。 The letter from Raouf Bey supported
the petitions and seconded the general complaint。 The burden of this
lengthy and carefully…arranged correspondence； was the determination of
the officers and troops to abandon the expedition and return to
Khartoum。 The seals of every officer were attached； with the exception
of those belonging to the 〃Forty Thieves。〃
I noticed that although there were three separate letters upon several
immense sheets of paper； they were all written in the same handwriting。
This proved that they were the result of dictation from a superior； and
I at once traced the conspiracy to the colonel； Raouf Bey； the friend of
Abou Saood。
It had been pre…arranged in this fashion； without a hint of such an
intention having been given to me； that the officers should sign a
round…robin to their lieutenant…colonels； the latter should support and
forward the petition； together with a letter from themselves； the
colonel should then forward this general and irresistible expression of
public opinion to me； together with a long epistle from himself；
explaining the absolute necessity of a general abandonment of the
expedition； and a return to Khartoum。
I find these words in my journal：〃These letters from the officers
declare； that the expedition must return to Khartoum； as there is no
corn in the country； and the soldiers would die of starvation。
〃Although these people complain of want； they actually purchased 126
slaves during the journey from Tewfikeeyah； thus adding to the number of
mouths； and at the same time acting against my positive orders。
〃They say there is no corn in the country； but as yet they know nothing
of the neighbourhood； with the exception of Belinian； and when in the
midst of plenty they _will not collect it。_ Thus the Khedive's officers
would actually abandon the expedition； and forsake the immense amount of
stores； merchandise； &c。； which would fall into the hands of the
natives。
〃By God； not a man shall go back； except by my orders！ no matter whether
they mutiny or not。 I shall forward the officers' letters to the
Khedive。〃
This conspiracy would have played the game of Abou Saood； and he would
have revelled in his success。 I made no remarks upon the conduct of
Raouf Bey； but the chain of facts will speak for themselves。
For the first half…hour after the receipt of these letters； I was
disgusted through every bone。 It appeared as though all hope of success
was gone。 What could be done with such wretched and treacherous
material？
I would not condescend a reply to the letters I had received。 I rode up
to head…quarters； Mr。 Higginbotham was ill； as were also some of the
Englishmen and Mr。 Marcopolo。 Nevertheless all were unanimous in their
resolve to stand by the expedition at any risk。
I sent Lieutenant Baker； R。N。； to Raouf Bey； with instructions not to
mention the letters； but to convey the following order：
〃Colonel Raouf Bey； with six companies of troops； to be under arms at 2
A。M。； to await me at head…quarters。〃
Mr。 Higginbotham had the entire charge of the vessels。 I ordered three
noggurs to be prepared； together with one small diahbeeah； to pass the
troops across the river at 2 A。M。
All troops and sailors were to take two days' provisions。 I had
determined to push straight for the Bari islands； south of Regif hill。
Should I be able to procure the supply of corn that I expected； it would
at once checkmate the conspiracy。
The Baris of Regiaf and south of that hill had been allied with those
of Belinian； and had taken charge of their great herds during the
month's campaign in that country。
We started punctually at the time appointed； and sailed for about seven
miles up the river； which at this season could be navigated without
difficulty。 We now crossed over to the west bank； and the wind being
foul； the soldiers turned out and hauled the vessels against the stream
by tow…ropes。
The country was perfectly lovely。 The high； rocky hills； a few miles
distant； sloped in beautiful undulations of open； park…like land to the
river's bank。 Here and there fine ornamental trees were dotted about the
surface； but the absence of forest would have rendered the locality
unfit for a large station。
The villages were innumerable： but there was not a sign of friendship
among the numerous population。 The natives poured out of their various
stations leaping； brandishing their spears； and gesticulating with
unmistakable actions of hostility。
The river was about 500 yards wide； and in several places the dull； grey
heads of rocks protruded from the surface。 We therefore continued to tow
the vessels close to the bank； with a party marching parallel to protect
the flank in case of a sudden attack。
The natives evidently intended to oppose us。 I always gave the Baris a
fair chance； and allowed them to make the first hostile move before I
proceeded to forcible measures。 I therefore landed and advanced a few
hundred paces inland。 There were many curious rocks in this
neighbourhood； some of which were clean blocks of granite in masses of
forty or fifty feet high； piled roughly as though arranged artificially。
The natives； as we advanced； moved gradually towards this shelter； in
which they squatted until we arrived within a hundred and twenty paces。
My interpreter now conversed with them； saying that I had not come to
fight； but to purchase corn； that I would give them a cow for each
googoo full of unthrashed dhurra： this was the usual price when the
natives traded among themselves。
In reply to this polite assurance； they used most insulting language；
and said〃You need not offer us your cattle； as we intend to take them
by force； therefore； be off to Khartoum！〃
By this time I had advanced with the interpreter to within a hundred
yards of them。 They were completely in my power； but I resisted the
temptation。 This is the disadvantage in treating with savages。 I always
afforded them every opportunity for peaceful arrangements； and returned
civil replies to their abusive and coarse insults。 This gave them the
advantage of selecting their own convenience f