was established, and partly fortified, in a deserted village, the huts of which, being made with clay walls, were a very useful protection from rifle fire. On the 14th of January, Hambursin, having returned from his expedition against N'Zigi, joined Lothaire, bringing with him a Krupp. The gun was placed in position, and Hambursin fired a shell to measure the distance, in order that all should be ready for the bombardment, which was intended to take place on the morrow. This trial shot, however, effected other results than were intended: it blew up the magazine and set the Arab fort on fire.

Being the wet season, all the huts, trenches, and retiring holes in the fort were very heavily thatched. A few rounds of canister prevented the enemy from extinguishing the fire, and in a few minutes the whole fort, covering three or