CHAP. IV.] 
THE ELLYRIA DIFFICULTY. 
99 
should pass through that tribe before the trader’s 
party should raise them against us. I had great hopes 
of outmarching them, as they would be delayed in 
Belignan by ivory transactions with the chief. 
While negotiations were pending with the guide, 
the traders party appeared in the distance, and 
avoiding us, they halted on the opposite side of the 
village. I now tried conciliatory measures, and I sent 
my vakeel to their headman Ibrahim to talk with 
him confidentially, and to try to obtain an inter¬ 
preter in return for a large present. 
My vakeel was in an awkward position—he was 
afraid of me; also mortally afraid of the government 
in Khartoum; and frightened out of his life at his 
own men, whose conspiracy to desert he was well 
aware of. With the cunning of an Arab he started 
on his mission, accompanied by several of the men, 
including the arch-mutineer Bellaal. He shortly 
returned, saying, “ that it was perfectly impossible 
to proceed to the interior; that Ibrahim’s party were 
outrageous at my having followed on their route ; 
that he would neither give an interpreter, nor allow 
any of the natives to serve me; and that he would 
give orders to the great chief of Ellyria to prevent 
me from passing through his country.” 
At that time the Turks were engaged in business 
transactions with the natives; it therefore was all 
important that I should start immediately, and by 
a forced march arrive at Ellyria, and get through 
the pass, before they should communicate with the 
chief. I had no doubt that, by paying black mail, 
I should be able to clear Ellyria, provided I was in 
advance of the Turks, but should they outmarch me 
there would be no hope; a fight and defeat would 
be the climax. I accordingly gave orders for an 
immediate start. “ Load the camels, my brothers ! ” 
I exclaimed, to the sullen ruffians around me; but 
not a man stirred except Richarn and a fellow named 
Sali, who began to show signs of improvement. Seeing 
H 2 
