Penn & Co. could produce.
I went on board to inspect the new vessel directly after breakfast. She
had been admirably constructed, and being devoid of paddles, she would
be able to glide through the narrow channels of the Bahr Giraffe like a
fish.
Although the station was dirty and neglected, I must do Raouf Bey
justice in acknowledging that he had paid much attention to the gardens
on the islands, which were producing so abundantly that the troops
received rations of vegetables daily.
Raouf Bey had also shown determination, and had accepted great
responsibility in shooting a soldier for desertion during my absence.
It appeared that the reinforcements lately received from Khartoum were
merely slaves that had been sold to the government, and had rapidly been
trained for soldiers. Many of these people had originally come from the
White Nile, therefore they were disposed to desert upon the first
opportunity.
A considerable number had deserted, with their arms and ammunition. They
had also stolen Raouf Bey's guns and rifles from his house, and had
absconded to Belinian. Raouf Bey had called upon the Belinian to give up
the deserters; but the Belinian natives had only replied to the
summonses by making nightly demonstrations of attack against the station
of Gondokoro, which had rendered sound sleep impossible for the last
month. Raouf Bey had accordingly invaded Belinian, and had fought a
pitched battle, in which the deserters who had joined the Baris fired
upon the troops. Two of them were killed. (On this occasion, the Baris
being well supplied with muskets and ammunition, the troops of Raouf Bey
suffered considerable loss.)
I immediately sent for Allorron, who had now become a faithful sheik of
the government. He confessed all his sins, and of course laid the whole
blame upon Abou Saood, who he declared had deceived him, and instigated
him against the government. I did not wish for any explanations upon the
truth of which I could not rely. I therefore ordered him to go at once
to Belinian, and inform the natives that, unless they gave up the
deserters, I should pay them a visit with the "red shirts," who had now
returned with me from Fatiko. At the same time I promised him three cows
if he succeeded.
In a few days he returned with two deserters. These men were tried by
court-martial, and having been found guilty, they were shot in the
presence of the regiment.
Order and discipline were at once restored among the troops.
Now that I had returned with the "Forty Thieves," the natives of
Belinian no longer visited the camp at night, but the country shortly
became quiet and peaceful.
Wat-el-Mek, who had accompanied me from Fatiko, returned with
reinforcements and a herd of cattle to his district. I parted with
regret with my good men Shooli and Gimoro, to whom I gave some useful
presents.
