ime
before this the British and other prisoners had been sent by Theodore to
the fortress of Magdala, to reach which was therefore the main object of
the expedition. Two plans were now open to Sir Robert Napier for the
conduct of the campaign: one was, relying on the friendliness of the
people for keeping communications open with his base, to push forward
and attack Theodore on his flank march before he could reach Magdala,
and thus prevent the prisoners again falling into his power. Sir
Robert, however, considered that in order to make any real and permanent
advance, he must be entirely independent of the resources of the
country, and that he should not have a force of much less than 10,000
men, with six months' supplies stored at Senafe; that Theodore might at
any time abandon his guns should he hear of his approach, and push
forward to Magdala, which he could quickly reach without them. It was
believed, however, that this he would never attempt doing, as it was the
prestige of those guns which served as his only protection from being
attacked and overwhelmed by the numerous rebel forces surrounding him.
This latter plan, however, was not adhered to. Great efforts were made
to improve the transport train. Owing to the want of care and barbarity
of the natives who had been brought from India, a large number of the
mules and camels died, but fresh supplies continued to arrive, and the
whole organisation of the transport train was entrusted to Major Warden,
who served in the same department in the Crimea. By the time the
campaign was over, there was a corps of 12,000 muleteers, 400 native and
160 European inspectors, and 80 commissioned officers. The most
difficult piece of work to be accomplished was the conveyance of the
artillery, next to the transport organisation. The guns and equipments
were brought from England by Lieutenants Nolan and Chapman, who had
prepared everything at Mulkutto for two batteries, A and B 21, the
officers and men of which came from India. The guns were conveyed
athwart-ships on mules, and they, with the ammunition and equipments for
the two batteries, required go mules for their carriage. This may give
some idea of the number of animals required for the work. A Naval
Brigade, consisting of 80 men, with two rocket tubes, commanded by
Captain Fellowes of the _Dryad_, was also organised. The advance force
halted in a beautiful district near Adigerat, upwards of 8500 feet above
the sea