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A day or two after I had left the vessels； several natives had desired
to communicate with Major Abdullah。 These men declared that they had
nothing to do with Bedden； and that all the Baris of the east side of
the Nile desired peace。
It would have been natural to suppose that after so recent an example of
treachery on the part of Bedden； Major Abdullah would have been keenly
suspicious； he was nevertheless deceived by the specious promises of the
wily Baris。 This officer knew my wish for peace and good…will； and he
trusted to be able to assure me； that after my departure he had been
able to establish amicable relations with our late enemies。
The messengers returned to their villages； and natives visited the camp
with fowls； tobacco； and various articles for sale。 The soldiers were
ready purchasers； as they were well supplied with beads； zinc mirrors；
and various trifles which they had recently obtained from the government
magazines。 The fault of my men lay in their extravagance； and they
usually spoiled a market by offering too much。 The trade commenced
vigorously； and the now peaceable Baris thronged to the vessels； and
mixed freely with the officers and troops。
On the night of February 17； 1872； the troops were fast asleep。
Confidence had been thoroughly established； and there was no
apprehension of coming danger。 My officers and men were careless of
precautions； the sentries were nearly all asleep。 The cannon had been
loaded with shell instead of canister。 The Woolwich tubes had been put
away so safely that they could not be found when wanted。 The gun had not
been sighted for close distance； neither had any of my most positive
instructions been carried out。 The artillerymen were sound asleep upon
their mats around their neglected gun。
I have already described the tactics of Bari night attacks。 There can be
no doubt that their scouts must have crept close to the camp； and must
have returned to the main body without having been observed by the
sentries。 The report that all were asleep； or off their guard； had been
delivered。
It is supposed that some thousands of the enemy moved cautiously
forward； concealed by the darkness； upon ground that otherwise could not
have admitted a stealthy approach。
Fortunately for the expedition； one or two of the cattle sentries were
awake； otherwise the entire force must have been massacred。
The Baris crept forward without being observed； until they arrived near
the silent and sleepy camp。 Then with sudden shrieks and yells they
rushed forward in a mass upon the unsuspecting troops！
A slight impediment may check an assault during the darkness of night。
The only protection to the position was a simple line of thorn branches
laid in a row about twenty paces in the front； running parallel with the
river。 The naked legs of the first line of the enemy must have become
entangled in this unseen obstruction for a few seconds； which caused
sufficient confusion to destroy the momentum of the first rush forward。
The sentries by the ravine immediately fired； and the sixty men who
formed the cattle guard quickly responded； and poured a fire into the
enemy's flank。
The delay caused by the thorns was only momentary； but it had been
sufficient to allow the troops to awaken and to clutch their muskets。
Here was a glorious opportunity for the gun； if loaded with canister and
ready at point…blank range！
The enemy were already at the muzzle。 The Egyptian artillerymen forsook
their piece and fled ignominiously to the vessels for protection。 Only
one fine fellow had stood by the gun； and he pulled the lanyard when the
crowd of natives were almost upon him。 Where were the unfailing English
tubes？ An Egyptian tube had been placed in the vent in spite of all my
orders。 It MISSED FIRE！
The gun that should have swept a clear road through the enemy was
silent； and the gallant soldier who alone had stood faithful at his post
was immediately speared through the body； and fell dead。 The gun was in
the hands of the Baris。
The troops； seized with a panic； fled on board the vessels； where they
were with difficulty rallied by their officers so as to open fire from
the protection of the banks of the river。
The Baris were prepared with fire to burn the ships； which they not only
succeeded in throwing within the vessels； but they killed an unfortunate
woman with a lance； who was on the fore part of a noggur。
Troops had rushed into the cabins and upon the poop…deck of my
diahbeeah； from which they now opened fire upon the enemy who were at
the same time exposed to a flank fire from the sixty cattle guards。 Thus
checked the advance； and the major； Abdullah； succeeded in leading his
men forward and recapturing the gun。 At length a tube was found and
fitted in the vent。 Fortunately the Baris were ignorant； and the lanyard
was lying by the gun。 Another tube failed； but after some delay； the gun
at length spoke； but unfortunately not with canister。
It was already too hot for the Baris； who were between two fires； and a
few shots from the cannon settled the affair and determined the retreat。
I could not have believed in such negligence and folly had I not had a
long experience of Egyptian troops； whether brown or black。 These people
can generally be surprised； unless their commanding officer is vigilant
and most severe。 Little or no dependence can be placed on the
non…commissioned officers； these are ignorant； thoughtless people； who
having learnt from their Mohammedan teachers to trust themselves to God；
would seldom remain awake unless kept to their duty by their superior
officers。
On the morning following this attack； the big drums of the natives were
sounding in all directions upon both sides of the river。 Thousands of
Baris had congregated upon the various heights； and it appeared that a
general attack would be renewed upon the camp。
It was not considered safe to drive the cattle out to pasturage。
There can be no doubt that with a force of 145 men； Major Abdullah
should have anchored his vessels a few yards from the shore； and have
then made a vigorous attack upon the Baris。 He was provided with Hale's
rockets in addition to the field…piece； and he should have given the
enemy a severe example。
Instead of assuming the offensive； he remained inactive； which so
encouraged the enemy that they gathered from every quarter； and
naturally concluded that the troops had received a panic from the night
attack。
At this critical time； the scarlet uniforms of my fifty men appeared in
the rear of the natives； together with 400 of the Lobore。 Some of my men
belonged to the 〃Forty Thieves；〃 and the Baris upon seeing the arrival
of so powerful a reinforcement； immediately dispersed； with much blowing
of horns and whistles in defiance of Major Abdullah。
It was declared that the Baris had suffered severely during the night
attack； but I had ceased to pay much attention to the official reports
of the enemy's losses； which were always exaggerated。
Between the river and Lobore； the troops had marched without opposition；
and they had followed my instructions by leaving cows for payment at
every night's