18 FROM THE NIGER TO THE NILE 



them by surprise, for they were all dismounted watering 

 their horses. AVithout losing a moment the advance-guard 

 charged down on them, and then there followed tremendous 

 confusion. The Tubus rushed for their horses and scattered 

 in all directions. The Kachella's horsemen did some splendid 

 work with their spears. Jose, leading, singled out the Tubu 

 chief by the crowd of men around him, and making straight 

 for him, seized his horse and shot him just as he was getting 

 into the saddle. 



Thirty of the enemy were killed and many were 

 wounded. The Kachella's loss was five men killed and 

 several wounded. 



The death of their leader struck fear into the Tubus, who 

 now completely disappeared and left us undisputed masters 

 of the road to Yo. The Kachella and the mallams were 

 greatly elated by the successful rout of the enemy, and the 

 former despatched two horsemen to carry his greetings to 

 Jose, on his killing of the chief. As the road was now safe 

 and my presence with the caravan no longer necessary, I 

 rode on ahead with Jose to Yo, arriving there about five 

 o'clock. Some of the caravan camped out in the bush. 

 The rest struggled on till within sight of the town, then 

 sank down exhausted and slept w^here they fell. 



The house where I stayed when at Yo was on a little 

 hill near the town. Presently Jose came asking me to come 

 outside, and there down the hill I saw the Kachella and his 

 warriors assembled, w^ith drums beating and flag unfurled. 

 When they saw me come out on the hill, they advanced at 

 full gallop ; then reined up suddenly in front of me, on the 

 instant throwing up their long spears, and, catching them 



