THE WORLD'S WONDERS. 263 



compelled to complain to the king of his remissness, whereupon 

 he expressed great regret that the supply of corn was very small 

 just then, but promised that a great quantity should be delivered 

 the next day, together with such other provisions as might be 

 needed. With many assurances of regard he begged Baker to 

 accept five jars of plantain, cider for the soldiers, and at the same 

 time again expressed his sorrow that he could not at once send 

 them several loads of corn. Baker had the cider conveyed to 

 the camp, and soon after the soldiers were regaling themselves 

 with the pleasant beverage. In less than half an hour fully one- 

 half of the entire garrison was down, some writhing in agony 

 and others wholly unconscious. Baker at once knew that the 

 soldiers had been poisoned by drinking the cider, and with all 

 possible haste he opened his medicine- chest and commenced 

 dosing the patients with a decoction of mustard, salt and water, 

 and following this with a dessert spoonful of water containing 

 three grains of tartar emetic. "While thus employed the sentries 

 were doubled in anticipation of an attack, for it was to be 

 expected that the poisoning would be followed by some other 

 hostile act. However, there was no attack then, and by night 

 the men were all recovered. 



Baker sent his most faithful adjutant to Motonse, Kabba 

 Rega's chief minister, to ask for some explanation of the king's 

 act, but the result was most deplorable, for the adjutant was 

 treacherously murdered, as was also a soldier who was sent to 

 accompany him. This was the signal for a general attack. 

 Sharpshooters had been stationed in the grass by Kabba Rega to 

 shoot Baker, but though they fired at him several times before 

 he could reach the fort, none of the shots struck him, though 

 his body servant was killed. 



The soldiers quickly formed in line at the bugle call, and sallied 

 out of the fort at double-quick. Fire was applied to the grass, 

 while rockets were shot into the thatch-covered houses of the 

 natives, and soon the entire town was enveloped in flames. Many 

 of the natives had guns, but they were ineffective in their hands, 

 while Baker's trained riflemen mowed down the treacherous 



