CHAP. II.] 
THE KHARTOUM ESCORT. 
67 
an order is obeyed if given at the right moment, even 
in the midst of mntiny. Two-thirds of the men fell 
in, and formed in line, while the remainder retreated 
with the ringleader, Eesnr, whom they led away, 
declaring that he was badly hnrt. The affair ended in 
my insisting upon all forming in line, and upon the 
ringleader being brought forward. In this critical 
moment Mrs. Baker, with great tact, came forward and 
implored me to forgive him if he kissed my hand and 
begged for pardon. This compromise completely won 
the men, who, although a few minutes before in open 
mutiny, now called upon their ringleader Eesur to 
apologise, and that all would be right. I made them 
rather a bitter speech, and dismissed them. 
From that moment I knew that my expedition was 
fated. This outbreak was an example of what was to 
follow. Previous to leaving Khartoum I had felt con¬ 
vinced that I could not succeed with such villains for 
escort as these Khartoumers : thus I had applied to 
the Egyptian authorities for a few troops, but had been 
refused. I was now in an awkward position. All my 
men had received five months' wages in advance, ac¬ 
cording to the custom of the White Nile ; thus I had 
no control over them. There were no Egyptian 
authorities in Gondokoro ; it was a nest of robbers; 
and my men had just exhibited so pleasantly their 
attachment to me, and their fidelity. There was no 
European beyond Gondokoro, thus I should be the only 
white man among this colony of wolves; and I had in 
perspective a difficult and uncertain path, where the 
only chance of success lay in the complete discipline 
of my escort, and the perfect organization of the ex¬ 
pedition. After the scene just enacted I felt sure that 
my escort would give me more cause of anxiety than 
the acknowledged hostility of the natives. 
I made arrangements with a Circassian trader, Koor- 
shid Aga, for the purchase of a few oxen, and a fat 
beast was immediately slaughtered for the men. They 
were shortly in the best humour, feasting upon masses 
F 2 
