A REMARKABLE CAREER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6201, 1 October 1881, Page 7

A REMARKABLE CAREER.

Bon Amema having become a second Abd-el-Kader, it is well, on the eve of a more energetic attempt to capture him, to recapitulate his exploits. He is a marabout of Mogliar, an oasis about 200 kilometers south of Geryville. Towards the end of April his skirmishers crossed the Chotts—stretches of fine sand covered with a foot or two of water which run from east to west in the centre of which line is Saida, the great focua of the cultivation of the alfa used in papermaking, the railway alongside the causeway going as far as 70 kilometres below Saida. The skirmishers excited a rising among the Trafi tribe, the southern neighbours of the Alpha Company. The "Gonms," native troops of Sadi, were sent against the insurgents, but were beaten and one of the Caid3 killed. General Cerez, the officer just superseded, then dispatched four columns to surround Bou Amema. One of .these headed by Colonel Innocenti, advancing through Geryville to Chellala, half way to Moghar, was attacked on the 10th of May, his

convoy captured and nearly 100 men killed, with as many wounded. This was the greatest reverse sustained by the French in Algeria for many years. The column hastily retreated to Daya, where one of the other columns, Colonel Mallaret's, was being formed, ; Bou Amema was expected to attack Geryville, but he simply placed a line of skirmishers

round it; marched'along the outposts to the east; raised in rebellion the J ebel Amour tribes, and turning suddenly northwards, passed between Colonel Brunetiere's column and Tiaret, thus entering the cultivated districts of Frendah and Saida. Thus while General Detrie, Innocenti's successor, was slowly leading back his exhausted column to Geryvillc, expecting to find the marabout on the eve of attacking that town, the latter slipped between the French columns and reached the al/a district which had been considered so safe as to need no troops. The Alfa Company estimates that 700 of its settlers have been killed or carried off; the government admit only SO, and the truth is probably between the two. Some were beaten to death, others disemboweled, 14 carters were fastened to their carts and burned, and women were violated. This massacre occurred 12th of June, 10 or 12 kilometres from Saida, wiiere the terrified population fled into the redoubts with the garrison of 150 men. The French arrangements were designed, by closing all avenues on the south, to take Bou Ameina as in a mouse-trap, but they did not foresee his zig-zag course so far northwards, and though the Brnnetiere column came up with his rear the latter fled with such rapidity as to distance their pursuers. Bou Ameina tried, indeed, to pass the causeway where General Detrie was awaiting him, but, warned of this, he fell back on Saida, burning two villages ot.\ his way. He then fled westward, passing within six kilometres of Colonel Mallaret's column, but the colonel, though apprised of his movements, refused to march without orders, and the marabout withdrew undisturbed beyond the chotts. "Never," remarks the Debats, " did a rebel chief drag along with him 300 European prisoners, with 1000 carts of barlsy, wheat, and spoils of all kinds ; never die! such a raid dazzle the Sahara tribes." Where Bou Amema is now none of the French generals seem to know for certain, but he seems to have recrossed the Chotts and to be marching again on the Tell to revitual. He has written to General Detrie to offer an exhange of prisoners at the rate of 10. Frenchmen for one Arab, but the Algerian authorities appear inclined to propose ransoms, and seven have been released in this way, while 20 are still detained. Five columns, of llOOor 1200 men each, are now covering the Tell,' but the great heat prevents their scouring the country, and the line is so extended that it is feared he will slip through with 200 or 300 horsemen. He is reported t'j have 3000 men, and drought and famine have driven him again northwards. He is also negotiating with two important chiefs, whose accession would constitute a formidable insurrection, but jealousy of him makes them hesitate. The movement had been long planned, but broke out prematurely on the assassination of Lieutenant Weinbrenner, on the 19th of April.—Times'Correspondent.