"The sun had set, and, the sky being over-cast, it had become extremely dark.
"I proceeded at once to the trial of Suleiman and Eddrees, as the witnesses were all present.
"The bugler sounded the 'taboor' (assembly), and the officers and troops quickly appeared, and formed in line two deep, facing the table at which we sat. I ordered half-a-dozen large port-fires to be brought; these were lighted and held by six men who stepped forward from the ranks. The blaze of red light illumined the whole neighbourhood, and cast a peculiar glow upon the dark foliage of the bananas and the forms of the dusky chiefs who sat in a line opposite the troops.
"Suleiman and Eddrees were led by the guard, and appeared before the tribunal. Suleiman, although pinioned, retained the same haughty swagger that had always distinguished him. The charges against him were as follows:
"1. For having conspired to attack Rionga, in direct opposition to my positive orders.
"2. For treasonably speaking against the government of the Khedive to the native chiefs.
"3. For arranging and abetting the escape of the irregular new levy, who had enlisted in the government service, together with that of the slaves.
"4. For having murdered, with his own hands, a native whom I had confided to his care.
"After a careful trial the prisoner was found guilty upon every charge; and the second vakeel, Eddrees, was proved to have been an accomplice.
"I immediately sentenced Suleiman to receive 200 lashes upon the spot, as a first instalment of future punishment. Blue lights had been substituted for the port-fires that had burned out, and the haughty brigand, Suleiman, was laid upon the ground by the ready troops to receive his punishment.