In Darkest Africa, Vol. 2; or, The Quest, Rescue, and Retreat of Emin, Governor of EquatoriaStanley, Henry M. (Henry Morton)
History
In Darkest Africa, Vol. 2; or, The Quest, Rescue, and Retreat of Emin, Governor of Equatoria
Stanley, Henry M. (Henry Morton)
Africa, Central -- Description and travel; Emin Pasha, 1840-1892
_March 31st._--Captain Nelson arrived in camp from Lake shore, bringing
132 loads. These bring up the total of loads carried from the Lake shore
to this camp to 1355. I am told there is nothing left except some large
ivories, weighing about 150 pounds each, which we cannot carry. The
Pasha brought with him sixty-five tusks, forty-five of which I proposed
paying to the Manyuema for their services, but they have declined taking
it, as they would prefer the monthly pay paid in goods to them on
arriving at the C. M. S. Mission at Msalala.
Osman Latif Effendi, the Lieut.-Governor of the Equatorial Province,
came to me this afternoon, and gave me his opinions on the Wadelai
officers. He says: “Selim Bey may join us. He is not a bad man. He is
fond of beer and indolent. If he comes, he will have about 350 soldiers
and officers with him, who form his party. Fadl-el-Mulla Bey is chief of
the opposite party. Since they received news that Khartoum had fallen
they have cast off all allegiance to the Pasha. That was just before Dr.
Junker left. Believing that perhaps they would change their minds upon
hearing of you, Emin Pasha proceeded to see them with Mr. Jephson, and
both were immediately arrested. Fadl-el-Mulla Bey and his clerk are
Mahdists. They hoped to get great honour from the Khalifa for delivering
the Pasha up to them. They have had an idea of getting you to visit
them, and by sweet words and promising everything, to catch you and send
you to Khartoum. If Fadl-el-Mulla Bey comes here with his party, all I
can say is that you must be very careful. I am tired of the land and
wish to go to Cairo. I want nothing to do with them.”
“What do you think of the people here, Osman Latif?”
[Sidenote: 1889.
March 31.
Kavalli’s.]
“Awash Effendi would not dare to be left behind. As the Major of the 2nd
Battalion he was said to be very severe. They hate him, and would kill
him; almost all the others, if Selim Bey came here, and advised them to
stop, would prefer living here to going with the Pasha. I and Awash
Effendi will follow you. If we died on the road that is the end of it.
We should be sure to die here if we stayed.”
“Why do they dislike the Pasha?”
“I do not know, except that Shaitan (the Devil) instigates them. He has
been very just, and good to them all, but the more he allows them to do
as they please the further their hearts are from him. They say, ‘Oh, let
him go on collecting beetles and birds. We don’t want him.’ The Pasha is
very happy when he travels, and is able to collect things, and does not
trouble himself about the men.”
“Do you think they would have liked him better if he had hanged a few?”
“Perhaps. God knows.”
“Do you think you would have liked him better if he had been severe to
you?”
“No, but I should have been more afraid of him.”
“Ah! Yes, of course.”
“But please don’t tell the Pasha I said anything, otherwise he would not
forgive me.”
“Have no fear. If you hear what is going on in the camp let me know.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account