Thenatives，smartingundertheunprovokedattack，visitedNiambore，anddesiredhimtosendmymenoutofthecountry，astheywereevidentlyleaguedwiththoseofAbouSaood。ThesheikNiamborerefused，anddeclaredthatheshouldprotectthemuntilhereceivedfurtherordersfromme。ThisimplicatedNiambore，andtheneighbourstheninsisteduponthesacrificeofAchmetRafikandhisfewsoldiersinrevengefortheirlostcattle。Niambore，withachivalrythatisrareamongnegroes，declaredhisdeterminationofshelteringmypeopleuntilheshouldcommunicatewithme。Hewasattackedatnightbytheneighbouringsheiks；andmysoldiersassistedhiminthedefence。Theattackwasrepulsed，andhedeterminedtoreturnthecomplimentonthefollowingday，withtheassistanceofthesoldiers。Afteralongmarchacrossmanydeepchannels，thebattlewentagainsthim，andinaprecipitateretreat，thesoldierscouldnotswimthedeepchannelslikeNiambore’speople；theywereaccordinglyovertakenandkilled，withthelossoftheirarmsandaccoutrements，nowinpossessionofthenatives。
MajorAchmetRafikandacorporalweresafe，astheywerebothill，andhadthereforenotaccompaniedthefivesoldiersintheattack。Niamborehadfaithfullyexposedhimselftogreatdangerinordertosecuretheirprotection，andtheywerenowinhiskeeping，concealedinaforestaboutaday’smarchfromthevillagewhichhadbeentheirstation。
OnthefollowingdayIsentthesteameroffat9p。m。withNiamboreandtwentymen，themoonbeingfull。Theriverhadrisenaboutfourfeetsixinches，thereforetherewasnofearofhertouchingasand-bank。AtthesametimeIwrotetoAbouSaood，givinghimnoticeofhisresponsibilityforthelossofthegovernmenttroops，causedbyhisunprovokedandunjustifiableaggression。Fromthattime，IofcoursegaveupallideasofreturningthecattlethathadbeencapturedbyAbouSaood，asI
hadoriginallyintended。Suchanact，afterthedestructionofmymen，wouldhavebeenreceivedbytheShirasaproofoffear。
Allmyanticipationsofsuccessfulcultivationhadbeenfruitless。Thedroughtofthisyearhadcausedageneralscarcity。ThemonthsofJulyandAugustshouldhavetheheaviestrainfall；Julyhadjustexpiredwitharainfallofonly1。13inch。Themeantemperaturehadbeen71degreesF