, 1881-05-21

The Colonel insisted upon camping near
the wells, but the guide objected that it
was scarcely worth while to go through
the fatigue OF retracing their steps, and
insisted on his advice being followed as be
was guide, andtberefore in command during
the march. Colonel Flatters consequent.
ly 0rdersd thu expedition to encsmp, and
then followed the guide to Hsssi accom-.
panied by Captain Mason, DR.. Guyard,
and MN. Roche and Dsmery. The camels
were sent after them. It was then IL
O'Clock. AT / O'Clock Hupiche, OF the 3rd
r files, arrived at the camp, shouting,
"To arms!" and running TO Lieutenant
Dianous, said, = All the engineers. officers,
and Snkbars are assassinated." Almost at
the same moment two Hoggars arrived
and confirmed the intelligence. 40 officer
and the engineer Sautin, with about 90
men, proceeded to the assistance of the
Co'ouel. and left the camp under the guard
OF 30 man, commanded by the non-com-
missioned officer Poheguin. The road to
the wells was Of o very broken nature,
and they arrived there after tour hours
march. The site was bordered by W
lofty mountains upon the sides of which
were three ~ravines filed with Touaregs,
numbering at least 600 or 700. An Off
Ger attempted to enter one Of the ~ravines.
but on perceiving the force of the natives
he said, We must fall back /; ne caG do
nothing to save the Colonel let us re.
turn to the camp and 60 aeavouv to save
the remainder Of the expedition"
The narrative proceeds -
We saw the Oolonels horse was rid.
den by Segheir Ben Cheik of the Chambaa,
and that of Captain Mason by the guide:
We did not even see the bodies OF
the members OF the expedition, and we
returned to the camp. There were SO OF
US left. This is what had happened ) On
arriving near tho wells, the Cheik Ben
Boudjenua, gallopirg up to Colonel Flat.
tiers, said Colonel. you are betrayed.
What have you come here for? Return to
the camp The Colonel replied, You
and Chambaa are a nuisance. For the
last year you have lied to me /; leave me
nov in peace Two Touaregs. the guides
and Segheir Ben Chrik were with them.
Segheir held the bride of heColonsl's horse
and the guide that Of CaptainMasson's. The
Colonel turned towards the wells, examin.
ing the ground, when the Cheik Ben Bou-
dilemma again exclaimed, Colonel You are
betrayed TIE members of the mission,
turning round. saw masses of Touaregs ON
all sides. The Colonel at Arst saluted
them, but perceiving that they had drawn
their ssbres, he retired on foot. and, taking
his revolver, fired six shots. He was then
struck with q sabre 90 the shoulder, anS
another blow cut off his legs, after which
he was pierced With lances. Captain
Mason was unable to reach his horse, and
was surrounded. he defended himself
bravsly, bat a blow from q sabre cut open
bis head and another cut off bis legs.
DR.. Guyard drew bis revolver and vigor-
ously defended himself, but received q
sabre cut on the pspe Of the neck and fell
dead. N. Demery retreated toward the
mountain, revolver in baud, bot having
exhausted his cartridges he was killed by
q sabre cut. We did not see the two
engineers die, as they were some distance
from the colonel, apd followed the bed of
the river. They must have been killed.
for thu Touaregs who. sssaiIed the colonel
came from that dir lection. Four Hoggars
and one soldier were killed by the c~olousps
side. Four Hoggars were killed while
defending the camels, and two Others, as
we'll az four soldiers of the lst Rifes and
six of the3rd, were cut down after exhaust.
inc their ammunition. Thu Sheik Ben