第 115 节
作者:巴乔的中场      更新:2021-02-20 18:12      字数:9322
  Every day the natives flocked to me from Fabbo with the most dreadful
  tales of atrocities。
  The time had now arrived when I could make the move that I felt sure
  would reduce the country to order。
  The slave…hunters were in this position。 I had sent Ali Germinar with
  sixty…five men to Unyoro; 200 had gone off with Abou Saood; 100
  reprobates clung to Salim…Wat…Howah; and the remainder were true to
  Wat…el…Mek。
  I therefore sent a message to Fabbo; which Wat…el…Mek would make public
  in the zareeba: 〃that; having received daily complaints from the natives
  of outrages committed by Salim…Wat…Howah and his company; it was my
  intention in forty eight hours to visit Fabbo with the troops; together
  with the native witnesses to the outrages complained of。〃
  I ordered 〃all those men who had enlisted in the government service;
  together with all others who were true to the Khedive; to retire from
  the Fabbo station to Faloro: thus Fabbo alone would represent the
  malcontents。〃
  I felt sure that the dissension which had existed among the various
  parties would now break out anew; and that Salim…Wat…Howah; fearing a
  personal visit from me; would follow the example of his master; Abou
  Saood; and fly from the country。
  The hint that I had given respecting the retirement of the loyal people
  to Faloro; so that Fabbo would represent the disloyal; would be
  sufficient warning that physical force was intended; should other means
  fail。
  The day upon which Wat…el…Mek published the proclamation was one of
  general consternation in Fabbo。
  Wat…el…Mek left the station with his Soudanis。
  Salim…Wat…Howah and his men suddenly sprang upon the vakeel; Suleiman;
  and having secured him; while others broke open the powder…magazine;
  they possessed themselves of three cases (1;500 rounds) of
  ball…cartridge; together with the flags of the station。 With this prize
  they marched out of the zareeba with their slaves; who carried their
  luggage; and took the road towards Latooka; about nine days' march
  distant。
  Without firing a shot; I had thus won the game。  All the bad people had
  found the country too hot for them。 The remaining men received
  certificates; and raised the corps of irregulars to 312 officers and
  men; all of whom were nominally under Wat…el…Mek; although Ali Genninar
  held a separate command in Unyoro。 I now strengthened his party by a
  reinforcement。
  From this date; the victory was gained; and I could only thank God for
  the great success that had attended all my efforts。 The slave…hunting
  was now at an end throughout an immense district; as the slave…hunters
  had ceased to exist south of Gondokoro。 Excepting Unyoro; the days of
  bloodshed were past。 The 〃Forty Thieves〃; who had so gallantly stood by
  me through every difficulty; never again had an enemy before them。 I was
  devoutly thankful for days of peace。 (All readers will share my deep
  regret; that since my departure from Central Africa this gallant body of
  men; together with the French officer in command; Monsieur Linant de
  Bellefonds; fell victims to a surprise by the Baris in the district of
  Moogi。 Colonel Gordon; who was engaged in towing a steamer through the
  rapids; had sent M。 Linant de Bellefonds with forty sniders to make a
  reconnaissance in the immediate neighbourhood; as the Moogi natives had
  become hostile。 The force was supplied with thirty rounds of
  ball…cartridge in their pouches together with two boxes (1000 rounds) of
  spare ammunition。 Only four soldiers escaped to tell the tale of
  destruction。)
  My task was now full of pleasure and gratification。 I had established
  perfect confidence among the natives throughout the large country of
  Shooli。 The Lira tribe had declared their allegiance; and we had friends
  upon all sides。
  I had as usual planted gardens at Fatiko; which were flourishing。 The
  natives no longer concealed their stores of corn; but dancing and
  rejoicing had taken the place of watchfulness and insecurity。
  The children and women flocked to our camp; and marketing upon a large
  scale was conducted without a squabble。 The two good men; Shooli and
  Gimoro; who were daily visitors; assured me that there was only one
  feeling throughout the country; of gratitude and good…will。 This was a
  great reward to me for the many difficulties we had undergone; but now
  that the calm days of peace had arrived; I looked back with keen regret
  upon the good men that I had lost; especially to the memory of poor
  Monsoor。 There was no person who would have enjoyed my success so much
  as that worthy man。
  It is now time to speak of Suleiman and the party who had left Masindi
  on 23rd May with the post for Fatiko; together with the 300 Unyoro
  carriers who were to have transported Abdullah's detachment to Foweera。
  The letter (concealed in a package) that I had sent to Eddrees; with
  orders that 〃the party might return at once to Fatiko should they
  suspect foul play;〃 had reached them before they had crossed the
  Victoria Nile。
  Mohammed; the Cairo dragoman; had strongly suspected treachery; owing to
  the unaccountable tardiness of the natives in pushing straight for
  Fatiko。 Every day messengers had arrived from Masindi; and others had
  been returned in reply by the sheik Pittia; who had charge of the 300
  Unyoro carriers。
  When my letter had been received; Mohammed advised Eddrees to return at
  once to Masindi; but the latter; finding himself about fifty miles on
  the journey; concluded that it would be better to continue the march。
  They had delayed so many days on the road; that the stock of flour
  intended for the whole journey would have failed; had they not spared
  their supply; and fed upon potatoes whenever they halted near cultivated
  ground。
  On one occasion; a number of their men had as usual gone off to forage;
  and were employed in digging sweet potatoes; when they were suddenly
  attacked by the natives concealed in the high grass; and eleven men were
  speared; five of my troops; and six of the irregulars。 Fortunately some
  of these men had fired their muskets before they died; and the reports
  alarmed the remainder of the party; who were in a small village。 There
  was not a native to be seen; but the drums and horns were sounding; and
  as the Victoria Nile was close at hand; they considered it would be
  advisable to cross the river before the natives should attack them in
  force。
  It was necessary to release Suleiman; who was secured in a sheba。 This
  man had been committed to the charge of Mohammed。 Before Mohammed cut
  the raw hide strip which secured the forked pole; he made Suleiman swear
  by the prophet not to escape; but that he would deliver himself up to
  Major Abdullah at Fatiko。
  The party; now reduced to twenty…five men; immediately started。 Upon
  arrival at the banks of the river; they happened to come suddenly upon a
  native; whom they seized。
  They soon observed a canoe on the other side of the river; in which were
  two men。 They now made an arrangement for the capture of the canoe;
  which was to them a case of life or death。
  The prisoner was dressed in the usual flowing robe of bark…cloth。 His
  hands were tied behind him; and one of the party who could speak the
  language now concealed himself behind the bark…cloth robe; and holding
  the native tightly by the arms; he threatened him with instant death
  unless he called the two natives in the canoe。
  At first he hesitated; but fearing the knife at his back; the point of
  which just pricked him to let him know that it was ready; he shouted to
  the men in the boat。
  〃Say you have a number of plantains; and you want to take them across
  the river;〃 whispered his invisible prompter from behind。
  The natives in the canoe hesitated。 〃Say you will give them each a bunch
  of plantains if they will ferry you over;〃 again whispered the cunning
  Arab。
  The canoe now pushed off from the bank; and paddled towards the
  apparently solitary native。
  The irregulars were concealed in the high grass close to the bank; and
  as the canoe touched the shore; they shot the two natives dead; and
  immediately secured it。
  They now unlashed the arms of the prisoner; and insisted upon his
  paddling the canoe across the river。 Two journeys were necessary。 The
  first was successful; and the regular troops; together with the post and
  Suleiman and others; were safely landed。 During the second journey; as
  the canoe was passing a rock above some dangerous rapids; the native
  suddenly upset the boat by throwing his weight quickly to one side; and
  plunged the whole party in the river。 Some of them were carried over the
  cataracts and drowned。 The others; including Ali Genninar; were good
  swimmers; and they reached the shore。
  Although the irregulars thoroughly knew the country; they now found
  themselves in the immense wilderness that separates Unyoro from the
  Shooli and Madi tribes。
  In this sea of high grass they wandered for some days; lost; until they
  at length discovered the regular path; and; after great suffering;
  reached Fatiko。
  Eddrees; who had been appointed vakeel; became a traitor; and upon
  meeting Abou Saood and his people; who had come out to receive the party
  upon their arrival; he cried out; 〃Look sharp for your neck; Abou Saood