按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
On the west； we looked down upon the plains through which we had
arrived； and the view stretched far away beyond the Nile； until it met
the horizon bounded by the grey outline of the distant mountains。
No one could feel unhappy in such a scene。 I trod upon my old ground；
every step of which I knew； and I felt an exhilaration of spirits at the
fact that I was once more here in the new capacity of a deliverer； who
would be welcomed with open arms by the down…trodden natives of this
country。
Having descended from the clean plateau of rock； we carefully rode
across a slippery channel that had been worn by the sandy torrents of
the rainy season； and once more arrived at level ground。 We were now on
the great table…land of Fatiko。
Upon our left； a mass of bold ruins； the granite skeleton remains of a
perished mountain； which formed a shelter from the morning sun； tempted
us to halt。
We had thus suddenly appeared upon the greensward of the plateau without
the slightest warning to the inhabitants of Fatiko。 About a mile before
us stood the large station of Abou Saood； which occupied at least thirty
acres。 On our right we were hemmed in by a wall of granite； sloped like
a huge whale； about three…quarters of a mile long and 100 feet high。 The
southern extremity of this vast block of clean granite was the rocky and
fantastic hill of Fatiko crested with fine timber。 To our left； and
straight before us； was a perfectly flat plain like a race…course； the
south end being a curious and beautiful assemblage of immense granite
blocks； and groups of weeping acacia。
A large village occupied the base of Fatiko hill 。。。 The bugles and
drums sounded 〃the advance。〃 The echoes rang from the hard granite rock
as the unusual sound gave the first warning of our presence。
I had dismounted from my horse； and was watching the slaver's camp with
a powerful telescope； as the bugles sounded and the men fell into order。
A number of people ran out of the camp； and stared at the blaze of
scarlet uniforms； which must have appeared as a larger force than the
reality； owing to the bright contrast of red with the green turf。
In an instant there was confusion in the camp。 I soon distinguished
immense numbers of slaves being driven quickly out； and hurried away to
the south。 The slaver's drum beat； and a number of crimson flags were
seen advancing； until they halted and formed a line close to the
entrance of the village。 I now saw natives rushing wildly to and fro in
all directions armed with spears and shields。
Some time elapsed before the cattle and baggage arrived。 In the meantime
I waited； perched on a block of granite； with my telescope； watching
every movement。 There was no doubt that our sudden appearance had caused
intense excitement。 I saw men running from the trader's station to the
large village opposite； at the foot of the hill。
At length； I observed two men approaching。
We were not yet ready for a general advance； therefore； as the servants
and carriers； cattle； &c。； fell into order； the band struck up some
Turkish airs； which sounded extremely wild and appropriate to the
savagely…beautiful scenery around us。
In the meantime the two messengers drew nearer。 They were both filthy
dirty； and appeared to be clad in dark…brown leather。 One man seemed to
hesitate； and stood about sixty yards distant； and demanded who we were。
Upon hearing from Colonel Abdel…Kader that it was 〃the Pacha；〃 and that
〃he need not be afraid；〃 he told us that Abou Saood was at the station；
and that he would run back with the news。
The other messenger came timidly forward； until he stood close beneath
me。 My wife was on horseback by my side。
Can it be possible？ MOHAMMED； my old Cairo servant of former years？
The grand dragoman of the lower Nile reduced to this！ My wife exclaimed；
〃Ah； Mohammed； I am very glad to see you； but how wretched you appear！〃
This was too much for the prodigal son； he seized my wife's hand to
kiss； and burst into tears。
Poor Mohammed！ he had gone through many trials since we last met。 When I
left him in Khartoum ill with guinea…worm in the leg； he was on his way
to Cairo； but after my departure he had been tempted by the
slave…traders to re…engage in the infamous but engrossing career； and he
too had become a slave…hunter。 He had never received any pay； as the
custom of the slavers was to pay their men in slaves。 Mohammed had never
been fortunate in his domestic affairs； he was not a favourite of the
ladies； thus his female slaves had all run away； his fortune had walked
off； and he was left a beggar； with an overdrawn account in slaves。
Mohammed had never been a good English scholar； but want of practice
during many years had almost obscured the light of his former learning；
which was reduced to the faintest glimmer。
The bugles now sounded the 〃advance；〃 and we marched forward in
admirable order； with the band playing。
In the meantime； several natives had approached； and having recognized
Lady Baker and myself； they immediately raced back to the village with
the news。
My men looked remarkably well； and the advance into Fatiko was a sight
that was entirely new to Central Africa。 We were in magnificent order
for work； with a hardy disciplined force of 212 men； and a stock of
cattle and merchandise that would carry us to any direction I might
desire。
This arrival； in such perfect organization； was a fatal blow to the
hopes and intrigues of Abou Saood。 I was actually among them； in the
very nest and hotbed of the slavers； in spite of every difficulty。
Abou Saood came to meet me； with his usual humble appearance； as we
neared his station； and he cringingly invited us to rest in some huts
that had just been prepared for our reception。
I declined the invitation； and prepared to camp beneath some grand
acacias； among the granite rocks； about a quarter of a mile beyond；
where I had rested some years ago。 I accordingly led the way； until we
arrived at a very beautiful spot； among some immense granite blocks；
shaded by the desired foliage。 Here the word was given 〃Halt！〃 and the
tent was quickly pitched in a favourable locality。
We were now distant from the junction of the Un…y…Ame river 48 miles；
from Lobore 85 miles； and from Gondokoro 165 miles。
Abou Saood ordered his people to bring a number of straw…roofs from his
station； to form a protection for the officers。 The men quickly housed
themselves in temporary huts； and the cattle were placed for the night
in a regular amphitheatre of rock； which formed an excellent position。
On 8th March； I reviewed the troops； and having given the natives
warning of my intention； I had a sham…fight and attack of the Fatiko
mountain。 Having fired several rockets at a supposed enemy； the troops
advanced in two companies to the north and south extremities of the
mountain； which they scaled with great activity； and joined their forces
on the clean plateau of granite on the summit of the ridge。 The effect
was very good； and appeared to delight the natives； who had assembled in
considerable numbers。 After firing several volleys； the troops descended
the hill； and marched back； wit