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