THE ADVANCE TO LOBORE.
I determined upon a new plan. I knew the direction of Lobore, as I had
been there during my former expedition; the distance could not exceed
sixty miles.
If the soldiers could draw the carts, I might yet manage to advance, as
I should be able to procure carriers on arrival at Lobore; provided
always that the natives were as friendly as when I left them some years
ago.
It would be impossible to convey the steamer, as I could not expect to
provide 2,000 carriers; but I might be able to penetrate south, suppress
the slave-hunters, establish the government, and open up a legitimate
trade.
The first step necessary was to convey the large herd of cattle across
the river, which was about 400 yards in width, with a very rapid stream.
I fully expected that we should be attacked by the natives in great
force during this operation, which necessitated a division of my force
upon both banks of the Nile.
The sheep were taken across in vessels, but the cows were obliged to
swim. This passage was very tedious, as the animals were necessarily
taken in small batches, guided by men who swam by their side in the
manner already described at Gondokoro.
Although the natives were avowedly hostile, they dared not face us in
the open. They made another attempt by night to surprise the cattle
kraal, but Colonel Abd-el-Kader immediately set fire to a few villages
as a response and warning.
We were occupied four days in passing the cattle across the river.
During the passage, we lost one taken by a crocodile, and three cows
were wantonly seized and drowned by hippopotami. A herd of these
creatures happened to be in the way as the cows were floating in large
numbers down the stream, and several were seen to attack the cattle and
seize them in their jaws. As the hippopotamus is not carnivorous, this
was an unexpected attack.
My Englishmen had been busily engaged in erecting the carts, greasing
the wheels, and attaching the ropes necessary for hauling. They were all
loaded, and were arranged to be drawn by fifteen men each.
On the evening of the 5th February, while we were at dinner, I was
astonished by the unexpected mustering of my whole force, excepting the
"Forty Thieves." The men were without arms or officers, but they marched
to the margin of the river and formed a line two deep alongside the
diahbeeah, which lay close against the bank.
I knew at once what all this meant, but I pretended to take no notice,
and I continued eating my dinner.
I was quickly interrupted by loud cries from the men. "We can't draw the
carts! that's not the work for soldiers; we'll fight, or do anything
else you may desire, but we are not camels to drag the waggons."
The "Forty Thieves" immediately seized their arms, and marching quickly
to the spot, they formed in line upon the bank, between the diahbeeah
and the men who thus mutinously had appeared without their officers.
I at once ordered the bugle call for all officers, and at the same time
I sent for the Englishmen to come to the diahbeeah.
When all had arrived, and the shouts still continued, I rose from the
table and addressed the troops in Arabic, from the poop-deck of the
diahbeeah.
I recalled to their recollection how I had always led them successfully
through every difficulty, and I assured them that the distance to Lobore
was trifling, and that we should find good and willing natives to convey
the baggage, if we could only once reach the desired tribe.
Cries of "there are no good negroes-they are all bad," interrupted my
discourse. I nevertheless continued; but having a thorough knowledge of
the African character, and knowing that if a negro gets an idea into his
head, that idea can only be eradicated by cutting the head off, I was
not fool enough to persist in swimming against a torrent. The "Forty
Thieves" now joined the tumult by declaring that "THEY would draw the
carts, or do anything that I should command."
I took immediate advantage of the occasion, and exclaimed, "You SHALL do
all that I command. I have changed my plans, and I order you to take the
carts to pieces at sunrise to-morrow morning. All those who are afraid
to follow me shall return with the vessels and carts to Gondokoro. I
never turn back; and my lady and I will go on alone with Mr. Baker. I
only require orderly soldiers, who know their duty; if you have
forgotten your duty, you shall return at once to Gondokoro."
This declaration was followed by loud shouts--"We won't let you go
alone; the natives are treacherous; we will follow wherever you lead.
Are we not soldiers of the Sultan? are you not the Sultan's Pacha?"
I had them in hand; therefore I at once terminated the scene by
commanding silence. I then gave an order aloud to the officers: "Return
carts and all baggage on board vessels at sunrise to-morrow. All troops
to be ready for the advance."
"Bugler! sound the retreat."
That peculiar habit of discipline yielded instinctively to the sound of
the bugle. The officer gave the order, "Right, turn," and the late
tumultuous crowd marched quietly to their quarters. This was ended; at
the same time it was not cheering.
My Englishmen, who had been witnesses of this scene, were filled with
indignation. They were men who thoroughly represented English
determination, and they at once volunteered to carry their own baggage
if I would only permit them to accompany me.
How often my heart has beaten with pride when I have seen the
unconquerable spirit of the country burst forth like an unextinguishable
flame in any great emergency!
I now had to quell the eagerness of my own good fellows, as I knew that
if "the spirit was willing, the flesh was weak," and it would be
impossible for Englishmen to carry loads through a journey in a tropical
country.
I saw the necessity of the occasion at a glance; and I gave the
necessary orders.
The Englishmen, together with the steamer sections, machinery, &c., must
return to Gondokoro. They must immediately commence the construction of
the No. 2 steamer of 108 tons and 20-horse power, as this vessel, being
provided with twin screws instead of paddles, would be able to pass
through the narrow channels of the Bahr Giraffe, and communicate with
Khartoum.
I gave the order to prepare to-morrow for a return to Gondokoro.
On 6th February, at sunrise, all hands were at work dismounting the
carts, and returning on board the vessels all material connected with
the steamer, &c. I altered the loads, and made arrangements for a new
plan of action.
I had determined to push on to Lobore with one hundred men, in heavy
marching order, if I could only engage a few natives to carry the
necessaries for the road. At Lobore I might be able to engage a few
hundred porters that I should send back to the vessels with an escort of
fifty soldiers, to bring up sufficient ammunition and material for an
advance south. I knew the route.
It was therefore necessary to assort the baggage: much had to be
returned to Gondokoro with the Englishmen.
I had a small invoice-book that had been carefully prepared by Mr.
Marcopolo, which gave the numbers and contents of every box; therefore
the difficulty of assortment was not great.
All the boxes were of block tin, painted; thus they could be piled like
bricks one upon the other to form a wall. I arranged about 400 loads
which were set apart for the carriers, should I be fortunate in
procuring that number from Lobore.
On 7th February the carts were shipped. All the loads were perfected and
ready for a start on the following day. Some of my men were endeavouring
to train a few oxen to carry their baggage.
On 8th February the Englishmen, in very low spirits, started for
Ismailia (Gondokoro) in two vessels, with ninety urdeps of dhurra
consigned to Mr. Marcopolo.
I had arranged that twenty-two boatmen should accompany me to Lobore,
carrying such loads as were absolutely necessary for our party. They
would then return together with the fifty soldiers who would escort the
native carriers to the vessels.
I had given the Englishmen instructions to commence the building of the
steamer immediately, and to confine their work to this vessel until she
should be completed.
Having counted all the loads that were left in charge of Major Abdullah,
I took a receipt for them, and gave that officer both clear and positive
orders for his conduct.
I left with him 120 men, together with the field-piece and eight
artillerymen. In addition to these men was the crew of the No. 10
steamer, all of whom were trained as soldiers. Thus with the armed crews
of the different vessels he would have a force of about 145 muskets. It
was highly probable that the natives would attack the vessels and the
cattle in my absence, as they would have remarked the great reduction of
force. Although the country was perfectly open, the ground was high and
rocky, and rapidly rose to about 200 feet above the level of the river
within a distance of a mile; thus the natives scattered about the
heights could always observe our proceedings.
Before I quitted the vessels, I made every preparation for their
security. All the metal boxes were built into a quadrangular breastwork,
that would form a little fort for a dozen people.
I moored the vessels in line close to the mouth of a deep flat-bottomed
ravine, which, although now dry and about thirty paces wide, had formed
the bed of a river during the wet season. The perpendicular banks of
this fosse would make a grand protection for the cattle; I therefore
ordered a fence of thorns to be constructed across the ravine about a
hundred yards from the river, so as to form a kraal, in which the cows
would be confined below the level of the country.
Sixty men were to guard the cattle at night; thirty upon either bank. As
this ravine ran at right angles with the river, the sixty men would
enfilade an enemy attacking the vessels, and the guard of the vessels
would at the same time enfilade an enemy should he attack the cattle on
the north side.
I placed the gun in a convenient position about twenty yards from the
margin of the river, on a piece of hard, flat ground, exactly opposite
the centre of the line of vessels. This would sweep the approach in
front and upon the left flank.
I ordered the officer to load with canister containing 250 small musket
balls. Having served out a dozen Woolwich tubes, instead of the
uncertain Egyptian articles, I gave positive orders that the gun was to
be laid for a point-blank range of 200 yards every evening at sunset,
with the tube in its place, the lanyard attached and coiled. A piece of
raw hide was to cover the breech of the gun to protect it from the night
dew.
Having given every instruction, and impressed upon officers and men the
necessity of vigilance, I ordered Major Abdullah, in command, to remain
in charge of the vessels and cattle until I should either send him
carriers for an advance, or fall back myself, should I be unable to
obtain them.
A tall old man of about seventy, or perhaps eighty years, had paid us a
visit. From his appearance, and the numerous spells hung about his
person, I judged him to be a rain-maker. His face was smeared with wood
ashes, and there was a good deal of the ideal demon in his personal
exterior.
I gave him a blue shirt, and a glass of Marsala wine, thus appealing at
once to his exterior and interior.
It is always advisable to make friends with the rain-makers, as they are
regarded by the natives as priests, and are considered with a certain
respect. I therefore give him another glass of wine; or, to be correct,
he drank it from a tin that had contained preserved provisions.
This caused him to blink his eyes and smack his lips, and the old
rain-maker grinned a ghastly smile of admiration. His wood ash-smeared
features relaxed into an expression that denoted "more wine." I thought
he had enough, and there was none to spare; therefore, having opened his
heart, I began to ask him questions.
That unfailing key, liquor, had established a confidential flow of
conversation. The old fellow explained that he knew the entire country,
and he had no objection to accompany us to Lobore for a small
consideration in the shape of a cow. He assured me that if he were with
us, the natives would be civil throughout the journey. Bedden had
behaved very badly, but he had got the worst of it, and the news had
spread up the country.
I asked him whether he would keep the rain away during the journey, as
it would be very unpleasant should the soldiers' kits get wet. He
immediately blew his rain-whistle that was suspended to his neck, and
looked at me as though I could no longer doubt his capability. I then
sent for a German horn from my cabin. This was a polished cow's horn,
fitted with brass, which I think had cost a shilling. I begged the old
rain-maker's acceptance of this instrument, which might be perhaps
superior to his whistle.
The wine had now so far warmed his old blood, that the ancient sorcerer
was just in that state of good-will with all mankind which made him
doubly grateful for so interesting a present. He blew the horn!--again,
and again! He grinned till the tears ran down his eyes, and at once
suspended the glittering toy around his neck. He now said, "I am a great
sheik; there is no rain-maker so great as I; you will travel with me,
and this horn shall keep you dry. Don't trouble yourself about the
Baris, they won't molest you; but start as soon as you can."
We had thus gained a valuable ally and guide. Although I knew the
direction of Lobore, I should have been obliged to travel by compass,
therefore I was overjoyed that we had obtained so experienced an old
fellow as the rain-maker. His name was Lokko.
At 3 p.m., on 8th February, we started, old Lokko leading the way, and
waving a couple of thin, peeled sticks at a refractory black cloud that
appeared determined to defy his rain-ruling powers. A few loud blasts
upon the new horn, and a good deal of pantomime and gesticulation on the
part of old Lokko, at length had the desired effect; the cloud went off
about its business, and Lokko, having given his face an extra rub of
fresh wood-ashes before starting, looked ugly enough to frighten any
rain-devil out of his wits.
My people were heavily laden. At the commencement of the journey, an ox
that Monsoor had been training, kicked off its load, and went off at
full gallop like a wild animal, and we never saw it again. Poor Monsoor
now shouldered the load that the ox had left helpless, and marched thus
heavily laden up the hill.
My wife rode "Greedy Grey," which carried as much as could be hung upon
the saddle. I rode the powerful chestnut "Jamoos." Lieutenant Baker
mounted a very handsome light chestnut "Gazelle," and Colonel
Abd-el-Kader rode the Zafteer. The latter was a fine old Arab that I had
purchased of a zafteer (mounted police) in Cairo. I had ten donkeys
which carried officers' effects, spare ammunition, flour, &c. The
twenty-two boatmen carried boxes.
My wife and I, with Lieutenant Baker and an advanced guard of five of
"The Forty," followed old Lokko, who led the way; and Colonel
Abd-el-Kader and Captain Mohammed Deii were with the rear-guard, which
drove 1,000 cows and 500 sheep. The cattle were in the charge of the
Bari interpreter, Morgian.
Our boys and girls all carried loads. Amarn looked like a small Robinson
Crusoe, with a tanned sheepskin bag of clothes upon his back, upon which
was slung the coffee-pot, an umbrella, and various smaller articles,
while he assisted himself with a long staff in his hand. Little Cuckoo,
who, although hardly seven years old, was as strong as a little pony,
strode along behind my horse, carrying upon his head my small travelling
bag.
Everybody was in the best spirits, as the reaction from despair
to success was delightful. We were really off at last, and were actually
on the march to the interior.
That evening we halted at a village on the heights, only three miles
from the vessels. The natives had deserted their habitations on our
approach, and would not come near us. I ordered the troops to save their
flour, and to eat from that discovered in the village, for which on the
following morning I left two cows as a present. They were tied up in the
native zareeba. The cows were worth at least fifty times the flour we
had consumed; but I wished to adopt this plan throughout the journey to
Lobore, in order to establish confidence, and to open up the road for
the future.
On 9th February we started at 5.35 a.m., and marched two hours and a
half through a very beautiful undulating country, diversified with
rocks, streams, and handsome park-like timber.
We halted at a village called Koojok, beneath a large fig-tree (Ficus
Indica). Our old friend Lokko appeared to be perfectly well known, and
he at once introduced us to the natives, who received us without fear or
suspicion. At this village I was able to hire five natives for as many
cows, to ease my people (especially Monsoor) of their loads.
Thus relieved, we started at 2 p.m., and halted for the night at a
village named Gobbohr. The day's march was twelve miles. North latitude,
by observation, 4 degrees 28 minutes.
At this spot the natives brought us a great curiosity, which they had
purchased from the Baris of Belinian. This was no less than a shell of 8
1/4 lbs. that had been fired at the Baris by our cannon, but the fuze
had not ignited. It had been sold to the natives of Gobbohr as a piece
of iron.
I inquired the use of such a lump of metal to them. "Oh!" they replied,
"we are going to hammer it into molotes (hoes)."
I explained to them that it was a loaded shell, that would explode and
blow the blacksmith and his people to pieces, if he were to place it on
the fire. They went away with their shell, evidently doubting my
explanation.
On the 10th February, having as usual presented the natives with two
cows, we started at 6 a.m., and marched ten miles. The country was even
more lovely than before, comprising fine rocky scenery and beautiful
park-like views. The undulations terminated in stony bottoms or
water-courses; the rocks were all syenite, gneiss, and large masses of
snow-white quartz.
Although at this season the ground was parched, the trees were all
vividly green: the contrast of this bright green with the yellow turf
was very remarkable.
At 2.50 p.m. we again started, and marched three miles, arriving at a
village on high ground called Marengo, in N. lat. 4 degrees 18 minutes.
Here I met an old acquaintance, who, of course, asked me for a cow. This
was a very respectable man, named Nersho, who had, when a boy, been
brought up by the Austrian missionaries at Gondokoro. I had met him
during my former journey when in company with Koorshood's vakeel,
Ibrahim. We slept at Marengo. The soldiers borrowed the natives' mats,
cooking pots, &c., but scrupulously returned everything according to
orders.
February 11. --Nersho received his cow; and I left two in addition for
the headman of the village.
We started at 5.35 a.m., and marched ten miles, and halted at a small
ravine of running water among wooded hills.
Our old guide, Lokko, was at fault. After much trouble we succeeded in
obtaining two natives, who told us, that in this spot they had killed a
large number of the slave-hunters' people.
Other natives soon joined us, and we were led by a difficult rocky path
through thick forest among the hills for five miles, to the pretty open
country of Mooge.
Throughout the journey from the Nile, the country had been thickly
populated. At Mooge we camped in a large village on the hill.
February 12. --We started at 5.25, and marched straight to Lobore, a
distance of fourteen miles. The road was through forest, intersected at
right-angles with deep watercourses from the mountain, called Forke,
about a mile distant upon our left. This fine, rocky, and almost
perpendicular hill is 2,000 feet high.
On arrival at Lobore we halted beneath a large tree, and waited for the
cattle, which were some distance in the rear, owing to the difficulty in
crossing the numerous steep ravines. Some work would be necessary on
this road to render it possible for carts.
We had thus marched fifty-seven miles from our vessels without the
necessity of firing a shot, although we were accompanied by so tempting
a prize as a large herd of cattle and sheep.
The natives of Lobore soon began to collect, and the dragoman, Wani,
shortly appeared, who proved to be an old acquaintance in my former
journey. This man, who had been an interpreter when a boy among the
traders, spoke good Arabic, and we soon felt quite at home. Abbio, the
old sheik of Lobore appeared. This old fellow was half-blind; but he
seemed very willing to assist, and, after I had explained the object of
my visit, he assured me that his people would go to the vessels if
accompanied by my soldiers, and that I need not be uneasy about my
baggage.
The Lobore are not Bari. I was delighted to have passed the southern
frontier at Mooge, and to have quitted that incomprehensible tribe. The
language of the Lobore is a dialect of the Madi.
In the evening, the cattle arrived with the rear-guard. I had requested
the old sheik to have a zareeba prepare, for them; this was quickly
accomplished, therefore an ox was slaughtered as a reward for all those
who had worked at the inclosure.
On 13th February "we held a regular market for the purchase of flour in
exchange for sheep and goats. Many of these useful little animals were
sickly, owing to the marches in the hot sun, which had created intense
thirst. Upon arrival at streams upon the route, they had drunk too
greedily, and some had died of inflammation.
"The natives purchased live goats at the rate of about 30 lbs. of flour.
This was an equal exchange in live weight of the animal; a pound of
flour for a pound of goat.
"February 14.--The whole country turned out to hunt, and the natives
returned in the evening, having only killed two buffaloes and a few
small antelopes. Even the small boys are armed in this country with bows
and barbed arrows, with which they shoot remarkably well.
"February 15.--The old sheik, Abbio, accompanied by Wani, appeared
early, together with a considerable number of natives. They selected 396
cows from my zareeba, and a similar number of men promised to start
to-morrow with fifty soldiers to convoy the material from the vessels.
"February 16.--After some delay the natives assembled, and with horns
blowing and much shouting and whistling, they at length started,
together with our return sailors, and an escort of fifty soldiers.
"I shall thus, after much care and anxiety, be able to push on with a
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 quickly responded, and poured a fire into the
enemy's flank.
The delay caused by the thorns was only momentary, but it had been
sufficient to allow the troops to awaken and to clutch their muskets.
Here was a glorious opportunity for the gun, if loaded with canister and
ready at point-blank range!
The enemy were already at the muzzle. The Egyptian artillerymen forsook
their piece and fled ignominiously to the vessels for protection. Only
one fine fellow had stood by the gun, and he pulled the lanyard when the
crowd of natives were almost upon him. Where were the unfailing English
tubes? An Egyptian tube had been placed in the vent in spite of all my
orders. It MISSED FIRE!
The gun that should have swept a clear road through the enemy was
silent, and the gallant soldier who alone had stood faithful at his post
was immediately speared through the body, and fell dead. The gun was in
the hands of the Baris.
The troops, seized with a panic, fled on board the vessels, where they
were with difficulty rallied by their officers so as to open fire from
the protection of the banks of the river.
The Baris were prepared with fire to burn the ships; which they not only
succeeded in throwing within the vessels, but they killed an unfortunate
woman with a lance, who was on the fore part of a noggur.
Troops had rushed into the cabins and upon the poop-deck of my
diahbeeah, from which they now opened fire upon the enemy who were at
the same time exposed to a flank fire from the sixty cattle guards. Thus
checked the advance, and the major, Abdullah, succeeded in leading his
men forward and recapturing the gun. At length a tube was found and
fitted in the vent. Fortunately the Baris were ignorant, and the lanyard
was lying by the gun. Another tube failed, but after some delay, the gun
at length spoke, but unfortunately not with canister.
It was already too hot for the Baris, who were between two fires, and a
few shots from the cannon settled the affair and determined the retreat.
I could not have believed in such negligence and folly had I not had a
long experience of Egyptian troops, whether brown or black. These people
can generally be surprised, unless their commanding officer is vigilant
and most severe. Little or no dependence can be placed on the
non-commissioned officers; these are ignorant, thoughtless people, who
having learnt from their Mohammedan teachers to trust themselves to God,
would seldom remain awake unless kept to their duty by their superior
officers.
On the morning following this attack, the big drums of the natives were
sounding in all directions upon both sides of the river. Thousands of
Baris had congregated upon the various heights, and it appeared that a
general attack would be renewed upon the camp.
It was not considered safe to drive the cattle out to pasturage.
There can be no doubt that with a force of 145 men, Major Abdullah
should have anchored his vessels a few yards from the shore, and have
then made a vigorous attack upon the Baris. He was provided with Hale's
rockets in addition to the field-piece; and he should have given the
enemy a severe example.
Instead of assuming the offensive, he remained inactive, which so
encouraged the enemy that they gathered from every quarter, and
naturally concluded that the troops had received a panic from the night
attack.
At this critical time, the scarlet uniforms of my fifty men appeared in
the rear of the natives, together with 400 of the Lobore. Some of my men
belonged to the "Forty Thieves;" and the Baris upon seeing the arrival
of so powerful a reinforcement, immediately dispersed, with much blowing
of horns and whistles in defiance of Major Abdullah.
It was declared that the Baris had suffered severely during the night
attack; but I had ceased to pay much attention to the official reports
of the enemy's losses, which were always exaggerated.
Between the river and Lobore, the troops had marched without opposition,
and they had followed my instructions by leaving cows for payment at
every night's halting-place.
I now divided the flour into loads of sixty pounds each, packed in
baskets covered with raw hide.
I thus carried 3,600 lbs. by sixty porters. My troops were now relieved
from much weight, as I engaged 500 natives for the journey to the
interior; at the same time I ordered every soldier to carry six pounds
of flour in addition to his knapsack and accoutrements. Every one of my
men was provided with a small tanned goatskin stripped from the animal
(like a stocking from the leg) and secured at one end like a bag. These
little chorabs, or travelling sacks, were most convenient, and were well
adapted for carrying flour, as they were easily strapped to the top of
the knapsack.
I lost no time in preparing for a move forward. Wani the interpreter was
invaluable, as he superintended all the arrangements necessary for
collecting the carriers.
The cattle were confined within the kraal waiting for selection. About
1,000 natives assembled, and they were allowed to enter the zareeba and
choose their cows, in parties of four at one time, to prevent confusion.
This was a tedious operation, as the Lobore carriers were almost as
particular in their selection of cattle as ladies are supposed to be in
the choice of their dresses.
February 27.--The Lobore were exceedingly quiet and orderly in their
conduct, and 500 cows having been received by as many natives, they
returned to their homes to make arrangements for the journey to Fatiko.
I find the following extract in my journal of this date :--
"The Lobore will be useful allies as they are enemies of the Bari, and
their country is well situated, lying between Bari and Madi, on the
route to Fatiko; thus they will be ready as carriers for both ends of
the line.
"If I can obtain eighty camels from Khartoum, I can get the steamer
along without any serious difficulty, as the Lobore natives can be
engaged to make the road; but nothing can prosper until a regular camel
transport service shall be established.
"I am sadly in want of troops and European officers. There should be 200
men in four parties stationed at intervals along the line to direct the
natives in opening the road.
"A soldier deserted and ran away with his arms and ammunition to some
distant village. I immediately called Wani and the old sheik Abbio, to
whom I explained that I should hold them responsible if the deserter
were not captured. They sent out natives in all directions in search.
"February 28.--The natives returned, saying they had found the deserter
about half a march distant, but they could not seize him alive, as he
threatened to shoot them; at the same time they were afraid to kill him,
as he was my soldier.
"I immediately sent a sergeant and three men of 'The Forty' to take him
prisoner.
"In the evening the soldiers returned, having captured the deserter. I
left him in irons to be kept at hard labour by the sheik Abbio at
Lobore, until I should return to the country. This is a good lesson to
the troops.
"The natives had a grand dance to-day; the men and women as usual naked,
leaping, and yelling wild songs to an extraordinary accompaniment of
music, produced by beating a long stick of extremely hard wood with a
short stick of the same substance. Some of the girls were pretty, but
being smeared with red ochre and fat, they were not attractive. The
natives were very civil, and although at least a thousand were present,
they immediately made room for me upon my arrival; that I might have a
good place to witness their performance."
I was much struck with a simple arrangement made use of by the old
people to support the back in lieu of an arm-chair. Each person had a
cord knotted by the ends so as to form an endless loop or hoop. The size
depended upon the measurement required, so that if the hoop were thrown
over the body when in a sitting posture upon the ground, with the knees
raised, the rope would form a band around the forepart of the knees and
the small of the back, which would thus be supported.
The Lobore are great workers in iron, which is used generally in the
manufacture of ornaments. Large rings of this metal are worn round the
neck, and upon the arms and ankles. Many of these ankle-rings are of
extreme thickness, and would suffice for the punishment of prisoners. I
was interested with the mechanical contrivance of the Lobore for
detaching the heavy metal anklets, which, when hammered firmly together,
appeared to be hopeless fixtures in the absence of a file.
I required several irons to construct the manacles for the deserter,
thus I had purchased the massive ornaments which had to be detached from
the ankles of the owner.
The man sat upon the ground. A stick of hard, unyielding wood was thrust
through the ring beneath the ankle, so that each end of the stick rested
on the earth. A man secured one end by standing upon it, while another
placed a stone upon the stick thus secured, which he used as a fulcrum.
The lever employed was a piece of abdnoos, which worked upon the stone,
and pressed down the base of the ring at the same time that it opened
the joint sufficiently to allow it to be passed over the thin portion of
the leg.
I never saw this ingenious application of the lever among other tribes
than the Lobore. The usual method among the Madi is far more simple, but
requires a certain number of men, and places the patient in an
uncomfortable position. A rope is fastened to each side of the ring,
upon which a number of men haul in opposite directions until they have
opened the joint sufficiently to detach it from the leg.
On 29th February we were ready for the start. The loads were all
prepared and arranged in separate divisions of twenty each, under the
charge of selected officers and men.
The big nogara had sounded, the natives collected, and each man stood by
his load; thus twenty-five gangs of twenty each should have stood in
line.
I now discovered that the vaunted honesty of the Lobore was of the same
order as that of other negroes. Five hundred cows had been given to as
many natives, for all of which the sheik Abbio had declared himself
responsible. The big nogara sounded in vain. After waiting for some
hours, and sending numerous messengers to as many villages, only 433
carriers could be mustered; thus sixty-seven had eloped with as many
cows!
No one can imagine the trouble of such a journey with so long a retinue
of carriers, most of whom are dishonest, and only seek an opportunity to
abscond upon the road.
The Lobore are immensely powerful men, and they carried the boxes of
Hale's rockets as single loads, although weighing upwards of seventy-two
pounds. At the same time they quarrelled among themselves as to the
choice of parcels, and I could with difficulty prevail upon them to
carry the zinc boat, although it did not exceed 130 lbs. Four men
actually refused to touch it, as it sat uneasily upon their heads.
This handy little vessel was made of zinc upon an iron framework, and
would contain four people upon a pinch, but would easily convey three
across a river. I had arranged it upon two stout bamboos so adjusted
that four men should have carried it with ease. The natives demanded
eight, but I at length compromised for six.
The delay caused by the non-appearance of the sixty-seven carriers was
extremely dangerous, as it increased the chance of desertions. Already
many had volunteered to search for their missing friends, which would
have resulted in a search for them also, until my body of carriers would
have melted away.
Fortunately I had made a considerable allowance for desertions on the
road, and I could manage to start with the assistance of the soldiers
and their wives, among whom I divided many baskets of flour.
At 3.25 P.M. we started.
There was no danger now that we had passed the Bari tribe, therefore we
could push on with an advance guard of five picked men of "The Forty,"
who always accompanied us, and leave the charge of the march and baggage
to Colonel Abd-el-Kader and the various officers.
We accordingly marched, at four miles an hour, through a rocky and hilly
country, generally wooded, which would have been an awkward position if
held by an enemy.
At 6 P.M. we halted at a rocky ravine where water had been expected by
our guide. To our dismay we found it nearly dry, and it was necessary to
dig temporary wells in the sand to procure a supply for ourselves, while
the horses were forced to content themselves with the impure pool.
It quickly became dark, and the troops and baggage were far behind. We
therefore gathered wood and made a blazing fire to show our position; at
the same time a bugler and drummer who had accompanied us, made as much
noise as possible from the summit of a small hill.
At 7.30 P.M. the cattle arrived by torchlight, together with the troops
and baggage. Some of the Lobore carriers had already deserted on the
road, which had caused much delay.
We had marched nine miles, but it was absolutely necessary to send four
men back to Lobore, to insist upon fresh carriers being immediately sent
to replace the runaways.
On March 1 we started at half-past six A.M., after a terrific scramble
for loads by 400 Lobore carriers, who rushed in and tugged and wrestled
for their packages like wolves over a carcase. Boxes were turned upside
down, and carried in that manner with an utter disregard for the
contents.
The inverted canteen was discovered upon the head of a brutal Lobore,
whose body was being basted with Cognac and gin that showered from the
loosened stoppers of the decanters.
I never saw such a wild pack of savages; they were only fit to carry the
elephants' tusks of the traders; but any civilized baggage ran a risk of
instant destruction.
The old sheik, Abbio, had given me his son to keep order among the
people. This young man was about twenty-seven years of age, but,
although respectable in appearance, he did not appear to have the
slightest control over his people, and he regarded their desertions with
seeming indifference.
I had a strong suspicion that he might quietly abscond at night, in
which case every man might instantly follow his example. I therefore
ordered a light thong of leather to be attached to the iron collar worn
as an ornament upon his neck, and I trusted him to the surveillance of a
couple of soldiers told off as his guard of honour.
We marched south for sixteen miles through a fine country of hills and
low forest, where the villages of the Madi had been mostly destroyed by
the slave-hunting parties of Abou Saood.
We passed large tracts of land that had formerly been in a high state of
cultivation, and the charred remains of numerous villages bespoke the
desolation caused by these brigands of the White Nile. The road was well
watered by many small streams in deep gorges, until we descended to the
Asua river. This was just twenty-five miles from our camp at Lobore, in
latitude N., by observation, 3 degrees 43 minutes.
We happened to arrive at the spot where the river Atabbi joined the
Asua. At this junction the Atabbi was perfectly clear, while the Asua
was muddy, which proved that heavy rain had fallen in the Madi and
Shooli countries, while the weather was dry in the mountains of Obbo.
The Asua flowed through a fine forest, but although the water was muddy
from recent rains, the volume at this season was confined to a portion
of the bed, in the deepest parts of which it did not exceed two feet six
inches. The bed from bank to bank was about 120 yards in width, and the
maximum rise of the river was about twelve feet. During the wet season
this is a frightful torrent that acts as a barrier to any advance or
retreat of troops encumbered with baggage.
Having waded through the river, we halted under the shady trees on the
south side; here there was excellent herbage for the cattle, as the
young grass after the annual fires was now about eight inches high, upon
the rich soil near the river's bank.
Whenever we halted during daylight, I took a stroll with the rifle,
accompanied by Lieutenant Baker.
We walked for some time along the banks of the river up stream without
seeing any game, and I was struck with the absence of tracks of the
larger animals, which coincided with my remarks on the Asua river many
years previous, when I crossed it about thirty miles higher up, on my
route from Latooka to Shooa.
I expected to return without seeing game, when we suddenly spied a few
waterbuck in the sandy bed of the river, about 300 paces distant.
We made a good stalk, but I only wounded the animal at which I fired at
about 150 yards, and they galloped off through the open forest. I heard
the bullet from the left hand barrel strike a tree stem, which saved the
antelope, but having quickly reloaded, I had a clear and steady shot at
a long range as the large buck suddenly stopped and looked back. I put
up the last sight for 250 yards and took a full bead. To my great
satisfaction the waterbuck with a fine set of horns dropped dead. I
could not measure the distance accurately as we had to descend a rocky
bank, and then, crossing the bed of the Asua, to ascend the steep north
bank before we arrived at tolerably level ground.
Upon reaching the animal, I found the bullet in the neck, where it had
divided the spine. I guessed the distance at about 240 yards. Some of
our Lobore natives, who had kept at a distance behind us, now came up,
and in a short time the noble waterbuck was cut up and the flesh carried
into camp. This species of antelope, when in good condition, weighs
about thirty stone (cleaned).
On March 2 we started at 6 A.M., and marched at a rapid rate along a
hard and excellent path, which inclined upwards from the river for about
eight miles.
The bush was very open, and in many portions the country was a
succession of deep dells, which in the wet season were covered with high
grass, but at this time the young grass was hardly three inches high,
having sprouted after the recent fires.
From an altitude of about 1,000 feet above the Asua river, we had a
splendid view of the entire landscape.
On the east, at about fifty miles distant, was the fine range of lofty
mountains that stretched in a long line towards Latooka. On the west, on
the left bank of the White Nile, which now flowed almost beneath our
feet, was the precipitous mountain Neri, known by the Arab traders as
Gebel huku. This fine mass of rock descends in a series of rugged
terraces from a height of between three and four thousand feet to the
Nile, at a point where the river boils through a narrow gorge between
the mountains. It is in this passage that the principal falls take place
which I witnessed in my former journey. At that time our path led along
the rocky bank of the river, and was both difficult and dangerous.
Eight miles from the Asua river now brought us to the top of the pass,
and having stopped for a few moments to take compass bearings, we began
the somewhat steep descent.
Walking was preferable to riding, and after a distance of a couple of
miles had been accomplished, we rounded the rocky hill by crossing a
ravine upon our right, and the view of the promised land burst upon us.
The grand White Nile lay like a broad streak of silver on our right as
it flowed in a calm, deep stream direct from the Albert N'yanza; at this
spot above all cataracts. No water had as yet been broken by a fall; the
troubles of river-life lay in the future; the journey to the sea might
be said to have only just commenced. Here the entire volume flowed from
the Albert N'yanza, distant hardly one degree; and here had I always
hoped to bring my steamers, as the starting-point for the opening of the
heart of Africa to navigation. (This has since been proved correct by
the efforts of my successor, Colonel Gordon, who carried the 38-ton
steamer which I had left at Gondokoro to this point above the cataracts,
and constructed her at Duffle on the opposite bank. This vessel steamed
into the Albert N'yanza without any difficulty, and corroborated my
assertion that the river was navigable. It may be remembered that many
geographers had contested the fact that the Nile was an effluent from
the Albert N'yanza.)
I was deeply mortified when I gazed upon this lovely view, and reflected
upon the impossibilities that had prevented my success. Had the White
Nile been open as formerly, I should have transported the necessary
camels from Khartoum, and there would have been no serious difficulty in
the delivery of the steamers to this point. Two or three strong pioneer
parties, with native assistance, would quickly have bridged over the
narrow water-courses and have cleared a rough road through the forests
as the carts advanced.
It was useless to repine. I still hoped to accomplish the work.
We now descended into the beautiful plain, to which I had given the name
Ibrahimeyah, in honour of the father of his Highness the Khedive
(Ibrahim Pacha).
This point is destined to become the capital of Central Africa.
The general depot for the steamers will be near the mouth of the
Un-y-Ame river; which, after rising in the prairies between Fatiko and
Unyoro, winds through a lovely country for about eighty miles, and falls
into the White Nile opposite to Gebel Kuku. The trade of Central Africa,
when developed by the steamers on the Albert N'yanza, will concentrate
at this spot, whence it must be conveyed by camels for 120 miles to
Gondokoro, until at some future time a railway may perhaps continue the
line of steam communication.
It is a curious fact that a short line of 120 miles of railway would
open up the very heart of Africa to steam transport--between the
Mediterranean and the equator, when the line from Cairo to Khartoum
shall be completed!
The No. 10 steamer that I had brought up to Gondokoro from Khartoum was
originally built in England for the mail service (per Nile) between
Alexandria and Cairo, at the time when the overland route was made by
vans across the desert to Suez. This steamer had sailed from London, and
had arrived complete at Alexandria.
It appears almost impossible that she is now floating at an altitude of
nearly 2,000 feet above the sea level; to which great elevation she has
actually steamed from the Mediterranean. Thus, starting from a base
line, and producing a line perpendicular to the sea level of 2,000 feet,
she has climbed up the Nile to her present high position.
Accepting the approximate length of the Nile in all its windings from
the Mediterranean to N. lat. 4 degrees 38 minutes, at 3,000 miles in
round numbers; this will give an average rise or fall in the river of
nine inches per mile; which easily explains the position of the steamer
at her most remote point below the last cataracts.
I revelled in this lovely country. The fine park-like trees were clumped
in dark-green masses here and there. The tall dolape-palms (Borassus
Ethiopicus) were scattered about the plain, sometimes singly, at others
growing in considerable numbers. High and bold rocks; near and distant
mountains; the richest plain imaginable in the foreground, with the
clear Un-y-Ame flowing now in a shallow stream between its lofty banks,
and the grand old Nile upon our right, all combined to form a landscape
that produced a paradise.
The air was delightful. There was an elasticity of spirit, the result of
a pure atmosphere, that made one feel happy in spite of many anxieties.
My legs felt like steel as we strode along before the horses, with rifle
on shoulder, into the broad valley, in which the mountain we had
descended seemed to have taken root.
The country was full of game. Antelopes in great numbers, and in some
variety, started from their repose in this beautiful wilderness, and
having for a few moments regarded the strange sights of horses, and
soldiers in scarlet uniform, they first trotted, and then cantered far
away. The graceful leucotis stood in herds upon the river's bank, and
was the last to retreat.
I selected a shady spot within a grove of heglik-trees for a bivouac,
and leaving my wife with a guard, and the horses, I at once started off
with Lieutenant Baker to procure some venison.
We returned after a couple of hours, having shot five antelopes. The
native name for this part of the country is Afuddo. Our present halting
place was thirty-seven miles from Lobore. Formerly there were villages
in this neighbourhood, but they had been destroyed by the slave-hunters.
Fortunately I had prepared a stock of flour sufficient for the entire
journey to Fatiko.
In my last visit to this country I had thoroughly studied its features;
thus I felt quite at home, and I knew my route in every direction. The
mountain of Shooa was distinctly visible, where I had camped for four or
five months, thus it would be impossible for the Lobore people to
deceive me.
Abou Saood had four stations throughout this lovely district, i.e.,
Fatiko, Fabbo, Faloro, and Farragenia. I was now steering for Fatiko, as
it was a spot well known to me, and exactly on my proposed road to
Unyoro.
On 3rd March, we marched at 6 A.M., and continued along the plain
towards the rising ground that led to Shooa. At six miles from the
halting place we took bearings:
Shooa hill, about 35 miles distant, bearing 162 1/2 degrees Akiko hill
about 16 miles distant, bearing 321 1/2 degrees Gebel Kuku about 9 miles
distant, 299 1/2 degrees
Our course lay towards the S.S.E., beneath a wall-like range of
precipitous rocky hills upon our left, in no place higher than 200 feet.
The guides were at fault, and no water could be found upon the road.
A herd of tetel (Antelope Bubalis) upon our right tempted me, and,
jumping off my horse, I made a fair stalk and killed a fine beast with
the "Dutchman" at 210 yards.
Every one was thirsty, as the sun was hot, and the wall-like, rocks upon
our left reflected the heat. At length we discovered natives squatting
upon the very summits of the perpendicular cliffs, and after some
trouble we succeeded in coaxing them down. Two of these people
volunteered to lead us to water, and they took us to a steep rocky
ravine, in the bottom of which was a pool of dirty liquid that had been
bathed in by wild buffaloes. My men quickly began to dig sand-wells with
their hands, until the main body of the troops and cattle arrived.
In about an hour, I heard a great hubbub, with a noise of quarrelling
and shouting; every one was running towards the spot. It appeared that a
wild buffalo, being ignorant of our arrival, had suddenly visited his
drinking-place, and had thoughtlessly descended the deep and narrow
gorge to drink his evening draught. The Lobores had espied him, and they
immediately rushed down and overwhelmed him with lances from the cliffs
above. There was now an extraordinary scene over the carcase; four
hundred men scrambling over a mass of blood and entrails, fighting and
tearing with each other, and cutting off pieces of flesh with their
lance-heads, with which they escaped as dogs may retreat with a stolen
bone.
On 4th March we started at 6.25 A.M. The advent of the buffalo was a sad
misfortune, as it had supplied the natives with sufficient flesh to feed
them on the road home; thus thirty Lobores had absconded during the
night.
Fortunately we had already consumed many loads of flour. I was now
obliged to divide two days rations among the troops as extra weight. The
light loads were then doubled. Brandy boxes of twelve bottles were now
lashed together, so as to form a load of twenty-four. Several boxes of
gin had been entirely destroyed by the savage carriers, who had allowed
them to fall upon the rocks.
Having crossed the bends of the Un-y-Ame river twice, we halted for the
night in fine open forest on the south bank, beneath a large
tamarind-tree, that yielded an abundant supply of fruit for all hands.
We had only marched ten miles, owing to the delay occasioned by the
desertion of the carriers.
On 5th March I led the way, as the Lobore guide professed ignorance of
the route to Fatiko. The fact was, that the Lobores had wished on the
previous day to take me to Farragenia, which is two days nearer than
Fatiko. Had I been ignorant of the country, we should have been
deceived.
I steered through low open forest, the leaves of which had been scorched
off by the fire that had cleared the country. Neither a village nor the
print of a human foot could be seen. This beautiful district that had
formerly abounded in villages had been depopulated by the slave-hunters.
Having taken the Shooa mountain for a steering point, we reached the
spot where in former years I had passed five months in the camp of
Ibrahim. This also had been destroyed, in addition to all the numerous
villages of the mountain. We had marched fourteen miles.
I gave orders that on the morrow all the troops were to appear in their
best uniforms, as we were only six miles from Fatiko, the principal
station, where I fully expected to meet Abou Saood himself.