Selimani meanwhile, accompanied only by his boy, approached the camp by the main road. When Selimani was within fifty yards of the camp, Ali called out to him to remain where he was and not to enter his camp: if he had a message to deliver, Ali himself would come to him.

Then, without any warning, Ali ordered his men to fire a volley on Selimani, who, strange to say, was untouched, though his boy was killed. The Hausas immediately realised the position, and, running into the camp, fired a volley into the rear of All's force, who were rushing out to catch Selimani. This created such confusion amongst them that the Hausas managed to hold their own with their long knives till de Wouters and the rest of his force — who had heard the firing — arrived, and drove All's force into the Lualaba. Ali himself and a few of