6 FROM THE NIGER TO THE NILE 



This particular caravan had entered Bornu at Gaidam, 

 where it came under British protection, and the resident had 

 sent word to the Kachella of Yo, ordering him to furnish 

 an escort to ensure its safety while passing through his 

 district. Accordingly, the Kachella, a splendid specimen 

 of a man, 6 ft. 3 in. in height, and a renowned fighter, moved 

 out of Yo with over 150 horsemen and formed a convoy for 

 the caravan. Just outside Bulturi, a town about three 

 days' march from Gaidam, while passing through a region 

 of thick bush the caravan was heavily ambushed by Mobburs, 

 who poured in a volley of poisoned arrows, killing some of 

 the horses and one or two of the escort. This mishap threw 

 the caravan into confusion for a time, from which it was 

 rallied with difficulty, and many of the cattle and sheep 

 were lost and fell a prey to the Mobburs. On emerging 

 from the bush the pilgrims found a more formidable enemy 

 awaiting them, for there in the plain were upwards of 400 

 Tubu horsemen, ready to launch an attack. The Kachella 

 quickly halted the caravan, and placing himself at the head 

 of his horse, went straight for the Tubus, charging right 

 into their midst, and himself killing two men right and left 

 with his revolver. So brilliant was the attack and so great 

 his personal bravery, that the Tubus, although they had 

 three times the number of men, gave way and were driven 

 for a time across the river. In this fight the Kachella was 

 wounded in eight places, losing also seven men and thirty 

 horses. The Tubus lost heavily and, though in so much 

 greater force, were kept at bay long enough for the caravan 

 to get without further losses into Bulturi, where it took 

 cover behind a zareba. The Tubus now returned and 



