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advantage of selecting their own convenience for an attack。 A hundred
times I have had them in my grasp； as upon this occasion； when a
well…directed volley would have created a terrible effect； but I have
always been patient； and allowed them to strike the first blow。
I now explained to them my position。 I gave them the instance of their
friends at Belinian； and begged them to avoid a similar necessity。 I
must have corn。 Their granaries were overflowing； while mine were empty。
I had many thousand cattle in addition to all kinds of merchandise。 I
desired fair dealing； which would give satisfaction to all parties。 They
simply shouted a derisive reply； coupled with most disgusting and
insulting language。
〃Won't you have a shot； sir； at that fellow on the rock？〃 said my
shadow； Monsoor； who was always at my elbow。 I declined the invitation；
to the great disappointment of my men； at the same time I explained to
these pig…headed Baris that they must accept the consequences of their
conduct。
I ordered the bugler to sound the assembly。
With great readiness the troops left the vessels； and having formed；
they marched up the slope with drums and bugles。 I now made a display of
force； and once more addressed the natives； explaining that the men were
hungry and would take their corn gratis unless they would agree to sell
a portion。
The natives sullenly withdrew to a greater distance； and commenced
blowing their whistles； and making a peculiar shrill cry which is used
by them generally in derision and contempt of an enemy。 The last words
we distinguished as they increased their distance； were a threat to
exterminate us during the night； if we dared to remain in their country。
It appeared hopeless to attempt a peaceful communication with the Baris。
This portion of the country to the south of Regiaf was immensely
populous； and the natives were more dreaded by the slave…traders than
any other。 I now determined to examine some of the villages。
Having extended the men in line so as to cover about half a mile； I
ordered the advance towards the hill of Regiaf； with strict orders that
no soldier was to enter a hut； but they were simply to examine the
villages as they passed through； by tapping the numerous wicker googoos
or granaries with their hands； to prove whether they were full； These
neat little granaries contained generally about forty bushels； but they
varied in size： some would have held more than double that quantity。
The natives watched us in considerable numbers from all points。 In this
manner we examined twenty or thirty villages； each of which contained at
least fifteen googoos； nearly all of which were quite full of corn。 The
entire country was overflowing with dhurra and sesame。 As far as the eye
could reach were innumerable villages； all of which we knew were stores
of abundance； by the samples we had already examined。
From the high land of Regiaf； we looked down upon a long series of rich
islands in the river； that appeared to be nothing but a line of
granaries； as I could distinguish with the telescope the numerous clumps
of googoos and small villages that fringed the fertile banks of these
welcome retreats。
I felt as the Israelites； when the manna and the quails appeared in the
desert。 Thank God； we were delivered from the danger of famine； and we
had at length arrived at the Promised Land。
Even the officers； all of whom had signed the declaration 〃that there
was no corn in the country； therefore they must return to Khartoum；〃
looked delighted； and exclaimed 〃Mashallah！〃
I felt the relief； for I had suffered much anxiety； but outwardly I took
it very coolly； and quite as a matter of course。 I explained to the
officers and men； that of course they were ignorant of the country； but
that if they relied upon me； I should always lead them （〃Inshallah！〃）
into a land of plenty。 The black officers now began to exclaim；
〃Wah…Illai！ the Pacha knows the country well！ Who would have believed
when at Gondokoro that there was corn enough for a couple of years
within a day's march？〃
〃A couple of years！〃 cried another； 〃we couldn't eat this corn in ten
years！〃
〃We might drink merissa every day in this country；〃 exclaimed others of
the soldiers。
Sailors who have been in danger of shipwreck； with a rocky shore close
on the lea in a heavy gale； may understand the relief offered by a
sudden shift of wind in the moment of extremity。 Such experience alone
can allow an appreciation of the mental reaction after a great strain of
anxiety that I had suffered for some time past。
A certain knowledge of human nature determined me to improve； without a
moment's delay； the opportunity； while the troops were under the first
impulse of astonishment and delight。
I addressed myself to the 〃Forty Thieves〃 in particular； and to the line
generally； and explained 〃the pleasure that I felt in now being able to
increase their rations of corn； that had been reduced by half。 At the
same time I had been much dissatisfied with the small collection they
had made from the harvest at Belinian。 I knew the country； and this was
the only true granary that admitted of river transport to Gondokoro。 If
they neglected this opportunity； the rations would again be reduced； but
upon no account whatever should I permit the return to Khartoum of any
officers or men； except those who could present a medical certificate of
chronic bad health。 I should thus get rid of the useless mouths； which
would relieve the strong men from the work of gathering corn to feed the
weak； who could not perform their share of the labour。〃
I concluded by recommending them 〃to thank God； and to set to work with
good will。〃
I marched my men to several villages deserted by their inhabitants；
which I occupied in force； and anchored the vessels close to the bank
beneath them。 Having sent for Raouf Bey； I made no other remark； than to
give the orders necessary for the night。 This melancholy officer looked
more miserable than usual； and his expression reminded me of one of
Dante's damned souls； as illustrated by Gustave Dore。
The sun sank； and I had not tasted food for twenty…four hours。 I was
without my wife； therefore I was not very particular； my good Monsoor
having foraged； produced some pumpkin soup； as he termed it； which was
composed of a very watery pumpkin boiled in water without salt。 The next
dish was the very simple native luxury of dhurra flour boiled into a
thick porridge。 I was very hungry and very happy； thus I ate the plain
fare with a good appetite。
Monsoor had made a fire with dry cattle…dung； and spread a native mat on
the ground； close to the smoke； upon which I could sleep if the
mosquitoes would allow me。 I lay as close to the smoke as possible； with
a comfortable log of wood for a pillow； and pondered over the events of
the day； feeling very thankful for the change of circumstances； and
making plans for the morrow until I fell asleep。
No sooner had the bugles sounded the morning call； than I was up and
off。 I instructed Raouf Bey to take a company of troops with the
vessels； and occupy the islands。 At the same time； I marched through the
countr