Suleiman a Prisoner, 323 strict orders not to move, 'liile T went forward some twenty paces and sent a message by a negro to Suleiman. I had written tlie message the night before ; it ran as follows : " I give you five minutes to surrender. That time passed, I shall attack you from all sides. Remember that you are surrounded." Ten minutes passed and no one had discovered our presence. When my messenger reached the camp he approached Suleiman's tent without even being seen, and sent the letter in by a slave. We were waiting at about two hundred and fifty feet from the village, and, being in an elevated position, could see all that passed.

In a few seconds the enemy's camp was aware of the state of things, and I am unable to describe the confusion that succeeded the previous silence. The cries of the women, the screams of the children and slaves, increased the bewilderment of the rebels.

At about a quarter of an hour's distance from the village about two hundred Besingers were encamped with numerous slaves. The Besingers fled, leaving the slaves behind. From that moment I was convinced of our complete success. We saw Suleiman and the chiefs hurrying about. No one, except the chiefs, seemed willing to fight. At last Suleiman, followed by about ten chiefs, advanced and surrendered. I immediately ordered all arms to be deposited at about a hundred paces from the village, which done, we took possession of them and the ammunition, and posted sentries all roimd the village. At the end of two hours Suleiman, seeing so few men, asked me where was the rest of my troop. I replied that I had no others. And here I might venture to say that I had even fewer men than before, having left thirty soldiers behind, as they were utterly unable to march further. At this information Suleiman became extremely dejected ; one could read in his face his rage at Y 2