The 7th was a day of distrust, sorrow, and retreat; the Arabs accused one another for urging war without expending all peaceful means first.  There were stormy councils of war held, wherein were some who proposed to return at once to Unyanyembe, and keep within their own houses; and Khamis bin Abdullah raved, like an insulted monarch, against the abject cowardice of his compatriots.  These stormy meetings and propositions to retreat were soon known throughout the camp, and assisted more than anything else to demoralize completely the combined forces of Wanyamwezi and slaves.  I sent Bombay to Sayd bin Salim to advise him not to think of retreat, as it would only be inviting Mirambo to carry the war to Unyanyembe.

After, despatching Bombay with this message, I fell asleep, but about 1.30 P.M.  I was awakened by Selim saying, “Master, get up, they are all running away, and Khamis bin Abdullah is himself going.”

With the aid of Selim I dressed myself, and staggered towards the door.  My first view was of Thani bin Abdullah being dragged away, who, when he caught sight of me, shouted out “Bana—­quick—­Mirambo is coming.”  He was then turning to run, and putting on his jacket, with his eyes almost starting out of their sockets with terror.  Khamis bin Abdullah was also about departing, he being the last Arab to leave.  Two of my men were following him; these Selim was ordered to force back with a revolver.  Shaw was saddling his donkey with my own saddle, preparatory to giving me the slip, and leaving me in the lurch to the tender mercies of Mirambo.  There were only Bombay, Mabruki Speke, Chanda who was coolly eating his dinner, Mabruk Unyauyembe, Mtamani, Juma, and Sarmean—–­only seven out of fifty.  All the others had deserted, and were by this time far away, except Uledi (Manwa Sera) and Zaidi, whom Selim brought back at the point of a loaded revolver.  Selim was then told to saddle my donkey, and Bombay to assist Shaw to saddle his own.  In a few moments we were on the road, the men ever looking back for the coming enemy; they belabored the donkeys to some purpose, for they went at a hard trot, which caused me intense pain.  I would gladly have lain down to die, but life was sweet, and I had not yet given up all hope of being able to preserve it to the full and final accomplishment of my mission.  My mind was actively at work planning and contriving during the long lonely hours of night, which we employed to reach Mfuto, whither I found the Arabs had retreated.  In the night Shaw tumbled off his donkey, and would not rise, though implored to do so.  As I did not despair myself, so I did not intend that Shaw should despair.  He was lifted on his animal, and a man was placed on each side of him to assist him; thus we rode through the darkness.  At midnight we reached Mfuto safely, and were at once admitted into the village, from which we had issued so valiantly, but to which we were now returned so ignominiously.