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.
