第 47 节
作者:
巴乔的中场 更新:2021-02-20 18:11 字数:9322
quickened by the report of the rifles。 It was difficult work to manage
the herd with only four horses。 No one who has not hunted African; and
especially Bari cattle; can have an idea of the activity of these
animals。 They go along at a tremendous pace; and never appear to get
blown: thus we were spurring hard through the forest in order to
overtake the herd; when to my great satisfaction we arrived at the broad
bed (nearly dry) of the Belinian river。 This checked the pace; and we
reined up our horses; and quietly waited for the troops; who were
excellent runners。
A few men of 〃The Forty〃 were the first up; and we managed to drive the
cattle across the river on to the open plain。 Hardly had we arrived on
the level ground; when they started off in another stampede; and kept us
going for about three miles; as though we were following hounds。
With a horse on each flank and in the rear of the herd we at length
managed to control their movements。 Fortunately we had been running
towards our camp。
A herd of cattle generally depends upon a few of its members; which are
usually followed by the others。 Upon this occasion there were two cows
that appeared to direct their movements。 These wild creatures refused to
enter our cattle kraal upon arrival at the camp; when the troops; having
seen our approach; came out to render assistance。 With skilful
management the herd was secured within the kraal; with the exception of
the two undisciplined cows; which started off at full speed along the
plain; followed by Abd…el…Kader and myself。 A black and white cow was
exceedingly vicious; and being hard pressed for about a quarter of a
mile; she turned to bay on the open plain。 I was riding my best horse;
named 〃The Pig;〃 who was very powerful and fast; and understood
cattle…driving thoroughly。 〃The Pig;〃 accordingly avoided the charge of
the infuriated cow; which dashed at him like a wild buffalo。 I
immediately shot her in the shoulder with a revolver; which had no other
effect than to turn her towards Colonel Abd…el…Kader; who was riding a
large; clumsy chestnut called 〃Jamoos〃 (the buffalo)。 This horse
remained perfectly still when the cow rushed at him; and Abd…ed…Kader
instead of firing his rifle; received the charge full upon his left leg;
into which the cow drove her sharp horn; making a serious wound nearly
through the calf。 I then shot the cow through the head; but Abd…el…Kader
was in great pain and quite disabled。
Upon counting our cattle we found 165。 This was a very small herd; but
they had been difficult to capture。
Our new ally; old Jarda; with his diplomatic sister; came to visit us
upon hearing of our success; and immediately asked for a calf; which I
gave him。
Jarda's sister now informed me that the sheik of the mountain wished for
peace; and requested permission to visit me。 On the following day he
appeared。 He was a fine powerful fellow; but with a bad expression。 I
had already heard that Jarda and he were not friends; therefore I looked
upon this introduction with suspicion。
After the usual declaration of friendship by the new sheik; and an
apology for past misdemeanours; presents were requested。 A fat calf was
giventhen a sheep was demanded; this was also supplied。 We now came to
business。 It appeared that the Belinian Baris had been called upon by
Allorron to become allies; at the same time that Loqiua had been invited
to join in the general attack that had been made upon Gondokoro。
Loquia had hesitated; but had at length joined Belinian; as the
government troops had been reported as great cowards who were afraid to
venture far from their head…quarters。 The many thousand cattle known to
be at Gondokoro; and the fabulous amount of stores and material; at
length tempted the Loquia to join forces。
On the night of the attack; it now appeared that Loquia had lost many
men killed; others who were wounded dropped on the way; and died on the
route through Belinian。 This loss so enraged Loquia (who considered that
he had been only used as a cat's…paw); that he was determined not to
return home empty…handed。 He therefore revenged himself upon his allies;
and captured about 2;000 head of cattle from Belinian; with which he
returned to his mountains two days' distant。
On the day following my interview with the sheik of the mountain;
〃Wani;〃 I received information which made me suspect that he was not the
real sheik; and that some trick was intended。
Once more I was waited upon by old Jarda; with his female minister of
foreign affairs; in company with Wani; the reputed sheik of the
mountain; together with a number of headmen。
I now received a direct proposal to form a general alliance。 The
Belinian Baris declared allegiance to the government; and proposed to
join all their forces to make a great attack; in conjunction with the
troops; upon a country about sixteen miles distant; governed by a sheik
named Lokko。 They described this country as abounding in corn; and
sesame; in addition to great wealth in cattle。 They also declared that
they had already sent spies into the land; who had returned with the
news that the harvest was over; and all the grain was stowed in the
granaries; thus the troops would have no trouble in collecting the corn。
They also promised that if I would make the attack; they would collect
all their women and transport the corn to head…quarters at Gondokoro;
thus the soldiers would have no fatigue。 At the same time they described
the people of Lokko as very powerful; and declared that I should require
nearly all my force; as very few troops would be now necessary to
protect my camp at Belinian; as we WERE ALL FRIENDS!
This kind regard for my military arrangements confirmed my suspicions。
It was intended to draw off the greater portion of the troops to a
distance; in company with the pretended allies。 The attack was really to
be made on Lokko; but my troops were also to be overpowered when
unsuspectingly returning by a night march with the spoil。 The cattle
captured from Lokko would then fall into the hands of Belinian; and my
camp; protected by a weak force; was to be surprised。
I pretended to enter into this scheme; but I expressed a doubt whether
they would perform their part of the engagement; and convey the corn
from Lokko to Gondokoro。 This they declared emphatically they would do
without failing。
I proposed; that if they could convey such an enormous quantity so great
a distance from Lokko to Gondokoro; they should first prove their
fidelity by transporting the few hundred urdeps from our Belinian camp
to head…quarters。 If they would assist us in this manner; they should be
paid for their trouble; and I should then believe in their sincerity。 On
the other hand; if they refused; I should be perfectly certain that they
would also decline to transport the corn from Lokko; and that every
individual would merely scramble for spoil; and return to Belinian with
a load of plunder for his own use。
We should then be left at Lokko in a foolish position。
After much discussion; they promised to carry the corn to Gondokoro
before commencing operations against Lokko; but I at once perceived by
their manner; that they had not the slightest intention of performing
any such contract。 They felt that their scheme had been found out。
Although Africans are notoriously cunning and treacherous; they have not
sufficient patience or self…sacrifice to enable them to carry out a
perfect scheme。 If the Belinians had wished to succeed in their plan;
they should have willingly carried the corn to Gondokoro; and thus have
established confidence。 In all my experience with African tribes; I have
observed this want of organization in their plans。 Like ignorant
chess…players; they only think of the first few moves; and thus are at a
loss when suddenly checked。
Of course I had no intention of attacking Lokko; as I had no complaint
against him; and although a Bari; he was a chief who had always behaved
well to the Austrian missionaries。 This portion of the Bari tribe;
instead of being sixteen miles; was at least thirty from the north of
Belinian; and was situated on the White Nile; where the sheik; Lokko;
was known to the traders as 〃Oom Nickla。〃
The following extracts from my journal will at once explain the state of
affairs。 The natives had lost their chance; and feeling that their
treachery had been discovered; they never came to me again:
〃September 22; 1871。No natives will come near us。 Abou Saood arrived
with forty men to ask my permission that he might start for Khartoum。
〃September 23。The natives; disappointed in their trick; will have
nothing to say to us。〃
On the 25th September the natives treacherously attacked an unarmed
soldier。 This man had strayed a few hundred yards from the camp; against
orders; to search for wild thyme。 A native met him and accosted him by
the welcome 〃Adotto julio。〃 The soldier advanced close; when the
treacherous Bari immediately shot an arrow into him。 This passed through
his arm with such force that more than half the length of the arrow
protruded on the other side。 The soldier shouted for help; and the Bari
decamped as he saw others running t