After the Victory.

lie replied that not far off tlie famous Abu Suep was encamping to rest tlie slaves, and that lie himself had found means of escaping, and was now on his way home.

I immediately ordered the head of the column to halt, Avisliing to form a plan for capturing the whole caravan, for two reasons : first to set the slaves free, and secondly to procure the food of which we stood so much in need, and with which I supposed the caravan would be well provided.

When night came on I sent scouts to ascertain the precise position of Abu Suep's camp, by observing the fires and examining the surrounding ground.

When they returned late at night, they gave me an exact account of all that they had seen, and I was able to make a plan of attack.

An hour before sunrise I had already gone all round the position occupied by the caraAan, and had taken possession of the road towards the north. Then I ordered my men to approach as near as possible by covered paths, and suddenly rush forth upon the enemy. My orders were so well executed that the Jelabba were surpised sleeping near their watch-fires. A single volley of musketry put them to such confusion, that they all, including the famous Abu Suep, allowed themselves to be taken prisoners.

The slaves were set free. Seventeen slave drivers fell during the attack. We found plenty of grain, but as we could not let six hundred slaves die of hunger, we gave each a sufficient ration, and ordering them to go home, we advised them to separate so that they might more easily find subsistence during their journey. They did so, very happy to be free. I only took with me thirty slave traders, bound two by two and escorted by soldiers.

We continuedto advance, andtowards seven a.m. the head of our column reached a torrent. Close by we found an old Jelabba, wounded in the neck by a ball. He told me that, having been separated from his