448 
WERDELLA DEFEATS THE TURKS. [chap. xvi. 
irresolutely advancing, another shot rang from the 
same fatal rock, and a man who carried a box of car¬ 
tridges fell dead. This was far too hot for the traders' 
people, who usually had it all their own way, being 
alone possessed of fire-arms. A disgraceful flight took 
place, but Werdella was again too much for them. On 
their arrival at the bottom of the hill, they ran round 
the base to join the other division of their party; this 
effected, they were consulting together as to retreat or 
advance, when close above their heads from an over¬ 
hanging rock another shot was fired, and a man 
dropped, shot through the chest. The head of Werdella 
was distinctly seen grinning in triumph;—the whole 
party fired at him! “ He's down ! '' was shouted, as the 
head disappeared ;—a puff of smoke from the rock, 
and a shriek from one of the Turks at the sound of 
another musket shot from the same spot, settled the 
question ;—a man fell mortally wounded. Four men 
were shot dead, and one was brought home by the crest¬ 
fallen party to die in two or three days;—five shots 
had been fired, and five killed, by one native armed 
with two guns against 300 men. “ Bravo, Werdella !'' I 
exclaimed, as the beaten party returned to camp and 
Ibrahim described the fight. He deserved the Victoria 
Cross. This defeat completely cowed the cowardly 
Turks ; nor would any persuasions on the part of 
Ibrahim induce them to make another razzia within the 
territory of the redoubted chief, Werdella. 
During the absence of the traders' party upon various 
expeditions, about fifty men were left in their camp as 
head-quarters. Nothing could exceed the brutality of 
the people ;—they had erected stills, and produced a 
powerful corn spirit from the native merissa;—their 
entire time was passed in gambling, drinking, and 
fighting, both by night and day. The natives were ill 
treated;—their- female slaves and children brutally ill 
used, and the entire camp was a mere slice from the 
infernal regions. My portion of the camp being a 
secluded court-yard, we were fortunately independent. 
