ismailia-第108章
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It had been the daily practice of the band to march up and down the
broad approach； and to perform nearly opposite Kabba Rega's public
divan。
There was no clear place in which the troops could be drilled； except in
the public square at the back of Kabba Rega's divan； this was about the
centre of the town。
The square was an open space of about two acres； and was the spot at
which all public festivities were held； and where； upon many occasions；
Kabba Rega delighted to sit； in a large open shed； to witness the absurd
performance of his buffoons。
This open space was well adapted for the exercise of a company of
troops。 I therefore ordered the men on parade； and I accompanied them
myself together with Lieutenant Baker。
The band played； as usual； at the head of the company； and we marched
through the town to the open square。
Here the troops were put through their musketry drill； and commenced
various evolutions。
To my astonishment； I saw the natives hurrying off in all directions。 I
was perfectly unarmed； as were also the officers （excepting their side
arms） and Lieutenant Baker。
Almost immediately the huge war…drum sounded in the house of Kabba Rega；
and the dull hollow notes continued to beat the alarm！
In less than ten minutes； horns were blowing and drums were beating in
all directions； and with extraordinary rapidity； some five or six
thousand men came pouring down from every quarter； fully armed with
spears and shields； in a state of frantic excitement； and at once
surrounded the troops。 Fresh bands of natives； all of whom were in their
costume of war； continued to concentrate from every side。 The crowd of
warriors leapt and gesticulated around my little company of men as
though about to attack。
I immediately gave the order to form a square with fixed bayonets。 This
manoeuvre puzzled the natives extremely。
They danced around the square； within a few feet of the glistening row
of bayonet…points； which were lowered so as to form an impenetrable
fence。
The officers were of course inside the square。 I gave the men strict
orders not to fire under any provocation； unless I gave the word of
command； and attended by Lieutenant Baker and Monsoor； the latter with
his sword drawn； I left the square； and walked into the middle of the
crowd； towards the three chiefs； Rahonka； Kittakara； and Matonse； who
were all standing with lances in their hands； and apparently prepared
for action。
Although the situation was full of meaning； I thought the best policy
was to appear amused。 At this moment Monsoor struck up with his sword； a
lance； which one of the frantic warriors； in the midst of his wild
gesticulations； had advanced within a few inches of my back。
The interpreters （many of whom I knew well） were all armed with muskets；
and the bonosoora were dressed in their usual fantastic manner when
prepared for war； a considerable number were provided with guns。
The slightest accident would have caused a general outbreak of
hostilities。 I had eighty men on the ground； the remainder of the force
were at the station； about three hundred yards distant； where Lady
Baker； and all stores and ammunition； would have been in extreme danger；
had an attack become general。
I at once walked up to Rahonka and Kittakara； and calling an
interpreter； named Kadji…Barri； who was standing near them； dressed in
Arab clothes； with his musket in his hand； and his cartouche…belt on his
waist； I burst out laughing； and exclaimed： 〃Well done； Kadji…Barri！
this is famously managed； let us have a general dance。 Ash Kitiakitri if
my band shall play； or will you dance to your own music？〃
This was immediately translated to the chiefs； and my demeanour seemed
to cause some hesitation。 I at once ordered our band to strike up。
The instant that a well…known lively air commenced； I begged them to
exhibit some native dance to amuse us。 Seeing their hesitation； I
inquired whether they would wish to see my men perform？ After a few
words between Kittakara and Rahonka； the former agreed that it would be
better for my men to commence the dance first。
I lost no time in explaining to Kittakara。 At that he must at once
address the crowd and assure them that the performance about to commence
was intended for their amusement； and there was no cause for fear。 At
the same time； I begged him to order the crowd to stand back； and to
afford space for my troops； who were about to advance with the bayonet。
In a loud voice Kittakara gave the necessary explanation。
I ordered the bugler to sound the advance； and the whole band sounded
the charge with the bayonet （sinjatre doran）。
At the inspiriting call； each side of the square advanced at the double
with bayonets at the charge。 The crowd； lately so demonstrative； fell
quickly back； and； having thus cleared the square； I told Kittakara to
order every individual of the crowd to sit down upon the ground。
The great mass of people obeyed the order with the discipline of
soldiers； and my troops fell back and re…formed their square as before。
The little square； with a single line of front of twenty men； now
occupied the centre of the clear space。
I lost no time in inquiring for Kabba Rega； whom I insisted upon seeing。
After a short delay he appeared； in company of some of his bonosoora。 He
was in a beastly state of intoxication； and； after reeling about with a
spear in his hand； he commenced a most imbecile attempt at warlike
gestures。
Had my eighty men been armed with breech…loaders； I could have mown down
hundreds by a fire from the square； had hostilities been forced upon us；
but； as the greater portion were armed with old muskets； we might have
been overwhelmed by a general rush； when reloading after the first
volley。
Kabba Rega was so drunk that he did not appear to recognize me； but he
continued to reel about for a short time； and thus to expose his idiotic
condition； until his chiefs at length recommended him to retire。
Kittakara now explained that； if I wished to have a general dance； they
would prepare a grand entertainment at some future time； but he now
begged me to withdraw the troops； as the sun was very hot； and the
natives were fatigued。
I assured Kittakara and the chiefs that the people had no cause for
fear； and that now that my station was completed I should frequently
bring the troops to the public square for musketry drill； as there was
no other open space； unless Kabba Rega would order his people to clear
away the high grass； which he had so often promised to do。
The band now struck up； and the troops； in single file； marched through
the narrow lanes of the crowded town。 I walked at their head； and I was
much pleased by seeing my little friend； Cherri…Merri； who ran out of
the crowd； and taking my hand； he marched with us as a volunteer； and
accompanied us to the station。
Upon arrival at the government quarters； I found all hands armed and
well stationed for the defence of the divan and powder…magazine； by my
wife； who was commandant in my absence。 She had placed rockets in
readiness to fire the town on the instant of a volley of musketry being
heard。 My good little officer had also laid out a large supply of spare
ammunition； together with every gun； rifle； and pistol； all of which
were laid on a table in the divan； ready to repel an attack。
I now sent for Rahonka； who was supposed to be the general of Kabba
Rega's forces。
The conduct of little Cherri…Merri was very gratifying； as he had
adhered to his true friends in a moment of great uncertainty。
Rahonka shortly appeared。 My interpreter； Umbogo； was absent on leave
for two days to visit his farm； thus Rahonka was accompanied by
Kadji…Barri； who was well accustomed to us； and had often received
presents。
I now insisted upon an explanation concerning the sudden beating of the
war…drum and the extraordinary assembly of the people armed for war。
Rahonka looked foolish and nervous； as though he doubted the chance of a
safe retreat。 He could not give any satisfactory reason for the hostile
display we had so recently witnessed； but he attributed it to the
drunken state of Kabba Rega； who had sounded the ala
