MORE ARAB DEFEATS — THE COMMANDANT DECIDES TO TAKE THE INITIATIVE AND TO LEAD AN ATTACK UPON SEFU's FORCES

On the morning of the 9 th of January, at about 6 o'clock, we heard firing behind our camp. On inquiring from Gongo Lutete, he suggested that some of his people might have become involved in a quarrel with the natives. After a few minutes, however, we distinctly heard volley -firing, and, since it was not possible that this could be from natives, the Commandant sent Michaux and de Wouters to reconnoitre. They returned without having discovered what it was. A few minutes later a man rushed breathless into the camp, and, holding up a breech-loader and half a dozen cartridges, shouted, “ The white man is attacked and wants help,” and fell down fainting.