CHAPTER XV

TRACY AT THE BASE, AND WITH RELIEF COLUMN

As has previously been recorded, Hanbury-Tracy returned from Ngaboto to Save on August 14 to take command of the base, keep open the lines of communication of the other two columns, and to organize a monthly mail to Mumia's, through which place the Government mails from Uganda passed. He had then to proceed to Karamojo for the purpose of purchasing donkeys, and skins wherewith to manufacture primitive panniers (known to the Swahilis as 'sogis'), for the carriage of the flour to be taken from Save to the assistance of the Rudolf Column. In addition to the food required for this purpose, 300 loads of food were to be stored at the lower Save post against the return of the Headquarter Column, in order to enable the whole combined expedition to traverse the foodless tract of country round the east of Mount Elgon to the borders of Ketosh.

This work was one of considerable importance and difficulty, but it had been hoped that the services of a Government official from Mumia's might be obtained to assist Tracy in the undertaking. As one, however, could not at this time be spared, the work had ultimately to be carried out single-handed by him, and was performed in a very able and successful manner. On leaving us at Ngaboto, it may be remembered, I asked him, if possible, to start with the relief column from Save not later than October 10. For purposes of barter he had some thirty-five cows and thirty-eight oxen, and was to take on brass wire and beads

from Save, in order to purchase the requisite number of transport animals, etc., in Karamojo. The lower Save post was reached by making long marches on August 23, and Tracy arrived in time to send on to the Headquarter Column some eighty loads of food. For this, it may be remembered, Macdonald had sent back donkeys from Manimani when it had been decided by him to form a depot at that place, prior to reconnoitring north to obtain reliable information regarding the Sudanese, of whose proximity he received notice from the Swahili traders. This done, Tracy organized the monthly mail service, and then proceeded to Mbai to arrange for the purchase of the large amount of food necessary before he could make a start for Ngaboto, and which he wished to find ready against his return from Karamojo. This work occupied some little time, so it was not until August 30 that he could set out for Manimani with a small column of fifty men and the requisite trade goods.

After six marches across the plains and then round the base of Dabasien, Manimani was reached on September 5, and on arrival he called in the assistance of the Swahili traders at that place to expedite the purchase of the necessary transport animals. Men were sent out to the neighbouring villages to buy up all the donkeys procurable, whilst Tracy himself remained at Manimani, where a market was established, and donkeys and skins were purchased in exchange for cows, sheep, brass wire, and beads. It may be of interest to give the ruling prices at that time, and possibly of some value to others, who may find themselves in those regions at some future date:

6 donkeys were obtained in exchange for I cow

At the end of two days thirty donkeys and forty bullock skins (the latter cost one sheep or goat each) were obtained. As few individuals possessed, or were willing to part with, a sufficient number of donkeys in exchange for a cow, fifty to sixty goats and sheep were purchased for that animal, and these in turn were bartered for donkeys and skins. Foreseeing that considerable time would be taken in purchasing the requisite number of donkeys, Tracy despatched the first consignment of thirty with orders to return to Save, pick up sixty loads of food there, and form an advanced depot at the foot of the Chemorongi Mountains, some nine marches distant from Elgon on the road to Ngaboto. A small garrison of Sudanese and Swahilis were to be left in charge of this depot, and the animals and their attendants to return to the lower Save post.

The Manimani district was now pretty well denuded of donkeys, so the market was removed from that place to Lochoro Kuwiam, where a fresh one was opened out and more donkeys purchased. About this time Macdonald and Pereira arrived from Gule to take on the heavy baggage, which had been temporarily left at Manimani, and additional instructions were received by Tracy, who subsequently proceeded to Bukora to continue the purchase of donkeys. After much labour, by September 18 he had succeeded in procuring in all 133 donkeys and 180 skins; and as much still remained to be done at Save before the relief column could start to the assistance of the Rudolf Column, a return to the base was decided on, for all food collected at Mbai had to be brought down and stored at the lower Save boma, and the skins to be made up into 'sogis.'

Save was reached again on September 24, and it was then found that the natives of Sore, who intervened between Save and Mbai, had again been giving trouble, and interfered with the Swahilis and others passing between the two stations. Owing to the block caused, little or no food had

been transported from Mbai to Save during Tracy's absence in Karamojo, for the Swahilis feared the responsibility of taking active measures during the absence of their officer, and the natives in consequence had become exceedingly truculent.

The chances of being able to leave now by October 10 seemed remote, but Tracy at once organized a punitive column to operate against the Wa-Sore. Leaving the Upper Save post on September 29 with two sections of Swahilis and Sudanese, he moved out to attack their position. On the approach of the small column the natives collected in large numbers, evidently with the intention of opposing its advance, but were quickly dispersed by rifle fire, whereupon they fled into their mountain recesses, driving their cattle and sheep before them. A flank movement was made with the object of cutting them off, and whilst this was being carried out other natives were encountered, and the flocks of sheep they were driving away were captured with little difficulty. The pursuit was maintained, but the natives quickly disappeared into the thick vegetation with which the slopes of Elgon hereabouts are clothed. Information was, however, obtained from the guide who accompanied the punitive column regarding the existence of a place of refuge in which the natives were in the habit of concealing themselves and their cattle and flocks when sore pressed.

With much difficulty this place was discovered, and proved to be an enormous cave which tunnelled right into the heart of the mountain. The mouth of this formidable retreat was strongly barricaded with large rocks and trunks of trees, leaving only a small passage by which entry could be obtained, and it was so dark inside that it was impossible to see the natives. When the cavern was approached showers of arrows were discharged by the natives concealed within, which were replied to by the attacking force firing several volleys into the darkness.

After some persuasion Tracy succeeded in bringing his men right up to the barricade, with the object of firing through it. When this at length was reached, half the Swahili section were detailed to pull it down, whilst the remainder fired into the cave, and kept a sharp look-out on the flanks and rear.

Meanwhile a party of natives had collected on the hillside above the mouth of the cave, and commenced to roll down large stones and rocks on the force below. Fortunately, these were for the greater part caught by a large projecting ledge of rock over the mouth of the cave and did no harm. When ultimately an entry was forced through the barricade, the natives fled into the inner recesses of the cave, carrying away their dead and wounded; but a large flock of goats and sheep, two cows, and fourteen oxen were captured near the mouth. As the column retired with its spoils showers of arrows were discharged at it by the natives up on the hillsides, but they were quickly put to flight by a few welldirected volleys. The number of sheep secured amounted to about 180, whilst a large quantity of hides and skins were also obtained from the cave, which subsequently came in most useful for manufacturing donkey saddles. Three men had been wounded during the attack, but they all ultimately recovered. Camp was not reached that night until past 5 p.m., so the day's work had been long and trying.

The following morning Tracy continued to Mbai, and found that the garrison had remained unmolested, thanks to the loyalty of the Wa-Mbai, who had rejected all attempts on the part of the Wa-Sore to induce them to join in the opposition to the expedition.

Unfortunately, however, these disturbances in the neighbourhood had interfered considerably with the purchase of food, the arrangements for which had been made before Tracy left for Karamojo. Instead of the 600 loads of food which he had hoped to find ready, only 70 had been collected.