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Updated: June 28, 2025
It would have been natural to suppose that after so recent an example of treachery on the part of Bedden, Major Abdullah would have been keenly suspicious; he was nevertheless deceived by the specious promises of the wily Baris.
Unfortunately, my past experience of the Bari natives had proved that kindness was thrown away upon them, and that nothing could be done with them until their inferiority had been proved by force of arms. Bedden had never suffered. He had promised to assist; but no promise of a native is worth more than the breath of his mouth. If he failed me now, the object of my enterprise would be lost.
I presumed that these were the followers of Bedden. I therefore ascended the slope and examined them with the telescope. My suspicions were aroused from the extraordinary number of people; at least 700 natives were accompanying their sheik. I returned to camp, and made arrangements to receive his visit with a guard of honour.
I determined to be very civil to the great sheik, Bedden; I therefore arranged with him that the work should be entirely in his hands, and that he should represent the government as my vakeel. At the same time, I gave him a grand cloak of purple and silver tissue, together with a tin helmet, and turban of cobalt-blue serge; also a looking-glass, and a quantity of beads of various colours.
I received the chiefs on my diahbeeah, and each received a present of a long blue shirt as he stepped on board. They now seated themselves by Bedden, and a general explanation took place.
Bedden looked very ill at his ease; but after some delay, he rose from his seat, and declared his intention of immediately beating his nogara. He took leave and departed with his people. From my experience of Baris, I felt sure that I should never see Bedden again. He had hardly left the tent, when Pittia exclaimed, "I will follow him and listen to what he says to his people.
It was as follows: "BEDDEN, SOUTH OF GONDORKORO 23 MILES, "July 17, 1875. "Though I have not had the honour of meeting you, I hope you will not object to give me certain information which I imagine you are most capable of doing. I will first relate to you my proposed movements. At this moment I am just starting from this station for the South.
In the mean time, great numbers of our enemies were to be seen squatting upon the heights, watching the happier Baris of Bedden, who had congregated like vultures in the river, and were quarrelling and scrambling over the immense carcases of the elephants. The temptation was too great to withstand. Who could resist flesh?
I had erected a tent on shore in which I could receive him. I was struck with a peculiar change in his manner, and after a short conversation he asked me, "Why I had sent the vessels to the east side?" I replied that they would begin to unload and prepare for the journey. "Who is going to carry all your baggage?" continued Bedden, as though the idea had occurred to him for the first time.
I now sent for Bedden and a few of his principal men to the poop deck of my diahbeeah, which, being covered with carpets, and arranged with sofas and chairs, was something very astonishing to the great sheik, who had never seen anything but a vessel in the distance.
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