第 68 节
作者:
巴乔的中场 更新:2021-02-20 18:11 字数:9321
quantity of goods sufficient to open the path and to establish relations
with the equatorial countries。 I shall have 212 troops and a good supply
of ammunition; goods; and cattle: thus there should be no insurmountable
difficulty。
〃I wrote to Mr。 Higginbotham; also to Mr。 Marcopolo; and sent the
letters inclosed in a bottle。
〃February 17。 A slight shower fell this morning。 The sheik of Mooge
arrived to see me last evening; and presented a fat goat。
〃I am trying to persuade him and old Abbio to join in cutting the
cart…road through the forest from Mooge。 I gave Abbio a mixture of
sulphate of zinc for his eyes; and put a mustard plaster on Wani the
interpreter's stomach。 At first he said it was of no use; as it only
felt like cold water; but when it began to burn; he was greatly amazed;
and said the cold water had turned to fire。
〃I then physicked Colonel Abd…el…Kader and Monsoor; both of whom were
overheated。
〃A judicious present of a few blue shirts to certain headmen put every
one in good humour。
〃February 18。I took a stroll for some miles in the forest accompanied
by Lieutenant Baker。 Game was very scarce; but we at length came upon a
fine herd of tetel (Antelope Babalis)。 These having been disturbed by
the noise we had made in walking over loose stony ground; dashed through
the open forest; about 120 paces in my front。 I shot one through the
shoulder; and upon running up I found it in the act of falling。
〃I then heard a shot from Lieutenant Baker on my left; to whom my shot
had turned the antelopes。 He had killed a very large bull by a good shot
in the neck。
〃This luck was a windfall for the Lobore natives who had accompanied us;
and a man immediately started off for assistance; as many men were
required to transport the flesh and hides of such large animals。
〃February 19。…The natives begged that we would accompany them to hunt;
and they started with a considerable party。
〃Having formed a long line like skirmishers; with intervals of about ten
yards between each; they advanced with their bows prepared; and the
arrows on the string; ready for a shot on the instant should game start
on foot。 There were many boys of about twelve years old; all of whom
were armed with bows and arrows; and they advanced in the same line with
the men。 There were too many people; and the game became scared; so that
after a long walk; we returned to camp without having fired a shot。
〃I found some very curious flowers; which issued from the ground in
pods; without leaves; these burst and threw out beautiful compact silk
balls in great numbers; not half of which could be returned to the pod
that had scattered them。
〃On 22nd February we had purchased and stored; in expectation of the
arrival of the troops; 3;740 lbs。 of flour。
〃I was determined to carry a large supply to the south; as the country
had in some places been depopulated by the slave…hunters。
〃February 23。I went out with Lieutenant Baker; accompanied by some
natives; and travelled over very likely ground; composed of forest;
glades; ravines full of bamboos; &c。; until we reached the base of Gebel
Forke。
〃We had passed over several miles and had only seen a few small
antelopes; when upon ascending some rising ground in the very open
forest; we caught sight of a herd of tetel bounding along through some
high grass towards some low; rocky hills; a few hundred yards distant。
There were many large trees growing out of the clefts of the rocks; and
I proposed that Lieutenant Baker should go round the hill on my right;
while I should creep quietly over the summit of the rocks; as I expected
we should find the antelopes standing in some sheltered glade。
〃When I arrived at the base of the small hill; which was not higher than
seventy or eighty feet; and was composed of large masses of granite; I
carefully ascended; without making the slightest noise。
〃On arrival at the denuded summit; I was well concealed by a detached
block of granite that lay upon a flat weather…worn surface of the same
rock。
〃I raised my head; and looked in vain for the antelopes。 The ground was
a beautiful park; characterized by numerous masses of granite; like
ruined castles; among trees of all shades of green。 The ground was
covered with young grass about six inches high; which had sprung up
after the annual fire that had destroyed the last year's dry herbage。
〃I could see no game。 Presently I observed the native; who was a few
yards on my left; making eager gestures; and pointing with his finder in
order to direct my attention。 I at once perceived a family of wild pigs
which had emerged from some bush; and were quietly feeding along the
glade; so that they would shortly pass in front of me within sixty
yards。
〃The natives love pork beyond all other flesh; thus I had a good
opportunity for showing them a little treat。 With a quick right and left
shot I knocked over two pigs; and reloading the 〃Dutchman〃 in a few
instants; I rolled over a boar that had galloped off to about 120 yards'
distance。 This animal recovered itself and got away to some place of
cover。
〃Upon the arrival of Lieutenant Baker and the natives; we tracked the
blood for about 300 yards to a small plot of high grass that had escaped
the fire。 I knew that we must find the wounded boar in this retreat。 I
therefore ordered the natives to beat it out。 The boar soon broke cover
and galloped off along the open; but quickly rolled over as a shot from
the 〃Dutchman〃 struck it behind the shoulder。 The natives were delighted
with the success of the rifle; as it had produced three fine pigs for
their service within a few minutes。〃
〃February 24。 The whole of the troops and baggage from the vessels
arrived safely to…day; together with the cattle and sheep; thus all my
arrangements have; thank God; speeded; and I am now in possession of my
force and material。〃
Major Abdullah delivered his report。 As I had expected; he had been
attacked in great force by the natives after my departure。 The Baris; as
usual; had employed treachery; which had very nearly succeeded。
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