WIDE A WAKE. 
159 
CHAP. V,] 
defence, and explained that the nogara had been 
beaten without his orders, and accordingly the whole 
country had risen > but that he had explained to the 
people that I had no hostile intentions, and that all 
would be well if they only kept the peace. He said 
they certainly had intended to attack us, and were 
surprised that we were prepared, as proved by the 
immediate reply of the Turks' drum to their nogara. 
He assured us that he would not sleep that night, 
but would watch that nothing should happen. I 
assured him that we should also keep awake, but 
should the nogara sound once more I should give 
orders to my men to set fire to the town, as I should 
not allow the natives to make use of such threats with 
impunity. I agreed to use what little interest I had 
to keep the Turks in order, but that I must not be 
held responsible by the natives for their proceedings, 
as I was not of their country, neither had I anything 
to do with them. I explained, that upon Ibrahim's 
return from Gondokoro things might improve, as he 
was the captain of the Turks, and might be able to 
hold his men in command. Commoro departed, and 
at about 2 a.m. the dense crowds of armed men that 
had accumulated outside the town began to disperse. 
The morning broke and saw the men still under 
arms, but the excitement had passed. The women 
soon re-appeared with their water-jars as usual, but 
on this occasion they were perfectly unmolested by 
the Turks, who, having passed the night in momentary 
expectation of an attack, were now upon their best 
behaviour. However, I heard them muttering among 
themselves, “Wait until Ibrahim returns with rein¬ 
forcements and ammunition, and we will pay the 
Latookas for last .night." 
The town filled; and the Latookas behaved as 
though nothing out of the common had occurred; but 
when questioned, they coolly confessed that they had 
intended to surprise us, but that we were too “ wide 
awake." It is extraordinary that these fellows are so 
