Seven Years in the Soudan.

in our camp, and that our ammunition was very scarce.

During the night a deserter arrived with the news that we should be attacked the next morning, or during the course of the da} showing that the enemy was also uncertain of his plans. Tlie next day T placed another battery of cannon in a more strategical ]iosition. Reinforcements continued to arrive in the enemy's camp. On the evening of the 10th we fired a few cannon shots. On the 11th I made a demonstration ; the enemy fired eight cannon shots, killing one soldier, and wounding several more. Although the bombs burst in their midst I observed no cowardice.

Shot began to fall in the enemy's camp, and in all Suleiman's settlements they were working hard at manufacturing brass bullets.

Meanwhile the Arabs in my camp began to show signs of discontent. The absolute want of meat and salt made many of them ill, without counting the wounded, whom I could not relieve, because of the want of doctors and medicines.

The small-pox increased, and in spite of all the measures taken to isolate the sick, I only imperfectly succeeded in my intention ; the Arabs are fatalists, and laugh at such precautions, saying that no one can escape his destiny. 1 myself was tired of being confined within a space of scarcely more than half a mile, but was obliged to be patient till the arrival of ammunition.

At last fift}' cattle arrived, which, with the exception of ten for the invalids, I divided amongst the soldiers. For myself especially two cows had been sent, but these were used for the sick.

February 15t]i. — There came an express from Rumbek, telling me of the approach of a company of regular troops, and ammunition from Lado. I sent eight hundred men to meet and protect them against any coup-de-main or ambush.