320 Seven Years in the Soudan.

people of Sultan Haroun, to carry tlie war into Darfour.

Six da3'.s after T reached Kalaka I was informed that Suleiman was already at Tasha, exchanging his slaves for cattle, giving two slaves for one ox. But, as I have already remarked, I had no faith in the people of Kalaka, who, in order to be able to carry on their own affairs quietly, tried to make me go another route, and to all my inquiries as to the road to Tasha, only replied that they did not know it. The chief of the place joined in the chorus, fearing to make enemies of his subalterns.

AYeary of waiting for the troops from Shakka, I gave orders to depart on the morroAV. All the baggage was left behind under the charge of twenty-five soldiers, while two hundred and seventy-five men with the necessary ammunition Avere to accompany me. At niofht I had the chief of the village arrested and brought to me, forcing him, at the risk of being shot, to show us the way to Tasha. He pretended he had never been there, but he knew it perfectly Avell. I ordered the guide to pass through the woods at a distance from the villages, so as to prevent the rebels from suspecting our movements. At dawn a A'iolent tempest burst upon us. Although my troops were composed of picked men, I having left at Kalaka those whom I considered unable to support severe fatigrue, we still had to halt and turn our backs to the rain and wind. Fortunately the storm only lasted two hours ; the rain fell in such quantities that the ground was converted into a lake. It was impossible to ])roceed in the state in which we were. But at last, the rain having given place to splendid sunshine, I gave orders that the men should dry their clothes.

Towards eleven o'clock, just as we were preparing to depart, a man came galloping up, making signs of satisfaction while still at some distance. It was a scout whom I had paid well to get some news of the