A CATTLE EAZZIA. 
229 
lawless endeavours to enrich themselves^ by plundering cattle ; from 
this to slave-stealing was but a step^ which; according to my recent 
experience; most of the traders have learnt to indulge in. The men 
in their service are better paid; as all participate in the spoils. 
Much profit is realized ; and to many I believe that the ivory trade 
is hut of secondary consideration. 
September — My men must have been in secret preparing 
for this razzia, as at an early hour they were ready to start with 
Poncet^s marauders. I addressed a few words to them expressing 
my repugnance of the work on which they were about to engage ; 
that nothing but dire necessity induced me to permit them to lift 
cattle } but that if one or all of them seized any negroeS; I would 
give them up to the authorities at Khartoum. 
It was some consolation to learn that the intended victims were 
richly deserving of punishment. 
The aid of Ibrahim and his force had; by special messenger from 
the agent of a Copt occupying a station in the Aliab; been re- 
quested to resist the onslaughts to which they were exposed by that 
tribe. Our own men and Poncet^s were equally delighted at the 
prospect of any act of aggression and retribution on the Aliab; as 
en route we had been apprised by the Atwat; their neighbours; 
they had expressed disappointment at our not having chosen to 
traverse their territory; as they; the Aliab; would have relieved us 
of our possessions and put an end to our travelling. But; in truth; 
the animosity of the men dated from 1858; when; by treachery; 
they lost brothers and others of their kindred on the occasion of 
the massacre of a trader and his party at a station founded by 
SheikhO; an officer of disbanded irregular cavalry; in the service of 
the Viceroy in the Soudan. 
