slave…hunters。
I frequently rode on horseback about the country； and wherever I found a
spot slightly raised above the general level； I was sure to discover
quantities of broken pottery； the vestiges of villages； which had at a
former time been numerous。 There was very little game； but now and then
ostriches were seen stalking about the yellow plains of withered grass。
On one occasion I was riding with Lieutenant Baker； accompanied by a few
orderlies； when I distinguished the forms of several ostriches at a
great distance。 They were feeding on the flat plain where it was
hopeless to attempt an approach。 I was just replacing my telescope； when
I observed an ostrich emerge from behind some bushes； about 400 yards'
distance。 This was a male bird； by the black colour； and it appeared to
be feeding towards the scattered bush on my left。 We were at the moment
partially concealed by the green foliage。 I immediately dismounted； and
leaving the party behind the bushes； I ran quickly forward； always
concealed by the thick thorns； until I thought I must be somewhere
within shot； unless the bird had discovered me and escaped without my
knowledge。 I now went cautiously and slowly forward； stooping under the
bushes when necessary； and keeping a good look out on all sides； as I
expected that the ostrich must be somewhere in the jungle。 At length； as
I turned round a clump of thick thorns； I sighted the bird racing away
with immense speed straight from me at about 130 yards。 I raised the
150…yard sight of the Dutchman； and taking him very steadily； as the
bird kept a perfectly straight course； I fired。 The ostrich at once fell
with so great a shock upon the hard； parched ground； that the air was
full of feathers。 I stepped 130 long paces； and found that the bullet
had struck the bird in the centre of the back； killing it instantly。 My
party came up to my whistle； and I despatched a mounted orderly to camp
to bring men and donkeys。
Although I have been many years in Africa； this was the first and the
last ostrich that I have ever bagged。 It was a very fine male； and the
two thighs and legs were a very fair load for a strong donkey。
I have seen erroneous accounts of ostriches designated as two varieties；
the black and the grey。 The black； with white feathers in the wings and
tail； is simply the male； and the grey the female。 The feathers of this
bird were old and in bad order。 The fat is much esteemed by the Arabs as
an external application for rheumatism。 I found the stomach rich in
scorpions； beetles； leaves of trees； and white rounded quartz pebbles。
The bird must have come from a considerable distance as there was
neither rock nor pebble in the neighbourhood。
On my return to camp I carved an artificial ostrich head from a piece of
wood； and made false eyes with the neck of a wine bottle。 I intended to
stick this head upon a pole； concealed in a linen fishing rod case； and
to dress up my cap with thick plumes of ostrich feathers。 I have no
doubt that it would be possible to approach ostriches in grass by this
imitation； as the pole would be carried in the left hand； and all the
movements of the ostriches might be easily imitated。 The pole in the
left hand rested on the ground would make a good rest for the rifle when
the moment arrived for the shot。
Heavy rains set in； and the hitherto dry plains became flooded and
swampy； thus I never had an opportunity to try my false ostrich。
The Shillooks were now become our fast friends。 The camp was crowded
daily with natives who came by water from a considerable distance to
traffic with the soldiers。 Like all negroes； they were sharp traders；
with a Jewish tendency in their bargains。 They brought raw cotton and
provisions of all kinds in exchange for cotton manufactures and iron。
Their country consists simply of rich alluvial soil； therefore all iron
must be imported； and it is of great value。 The best articles of
exchange for this country would be pieces of wrought iron of about four
ounces in weight and six inches long； and pieces of eight ounces； and
eight inches in length。 Also cotton cloth； known as grey calico；
together with white calico； and other cheap manufactures。 The cotton
that is indigenous to the country is short in staple； but it grows
perfectly wild。 The Shillooks are very industrious； and cultivate large
quantities of dhurra and some maize； but the latter is only used to eat
in a green state； roasted on the ashes。 The grain of maize is too hard
to grind on the common flat millstones of the natives； thus it is seldom
cultivated in any portion of Central Africa on an extended scale。 I gave
some good Egyptian cotton…seed to the natives； also the seed of various
European vegetables。 Tobacco was in great demand by the troops； and I
considered the quality supplied by the Shillooks superior to that
cultivated in the Soudan。
Although the camp was visited by hundreds of natives； including their
women； daily； there were seldom any quarrels over the marketing； and
when a disagreement took place it was generally the fault of a soldier；
who took something on credit； and pleaded inability to pay。 I
administered a rough…and…ready justice； and appointed an officer to
superintend the bazaar to prevent squabbles。
I was much struck with the honesty of the natives； who appeared
thoroughly to appreciate the protection afforded them； and the fair
dealing insisted upon on the part of the troops。 The river was about 700
yards wide； but the land on the west shore was only a large island；
through which several small streams cut deep channels。 This island was
separated from the main western shore by a branch of the White Nile。 The
west bank was thickly lined with villages for about 200 miles of river
frontage throughout the Shillook country； thus affording admirable
opportunities for direct trade with vessels from Khartoum。 It was a
tedious journey for the natives to visit us daily； as they had to cross
first their western branch of the Nile； then to carry their canoes
across the island for about a mile； and again to cross the main river to
arrive at our camp。 The Shillook canoe has often been described。 It is
formed of long pieces of the ambatch…wood； which is lighter than cork。
These curious trees； which grow in the swamps of the White Nile； are
thick at the base； and taper to a point； thus a number are lashed
securely together； and the points are tied tightly with cord； so as to
form a bow。 These canoes or rafts generally convey two persons； and they
are especially adapted for the marshy navigation of the river； as they
can be carried on the head without difficulty； when it may be necessary
to cross an island or morass。
Our native traders arrived daily in fleets of ambatch canoes from a
considerable distance。 The soldiers trusted them with their rations of
corn to grind； rather than take the trouble to prepare it themselves。
The natives took the corn to their homes； and invariably returned with
the honest complement of flour。 I never had a complaint brought before
me of dishonesty when a Shillook had been trusted。 I have great hopes of
these people； they simply require all assurance of good faith and
protection to become a valuable race。
From the Shillook country to Khartoum the river is superb and can be
navigated at all seasons。 The northern end of this country is rich in
forests of the Acacia Arabica （Soont）； a wood that is invaluable as fuel
for steamers； and is the only really durable wood for ship…building in
the Soudan。 The rains begin in May； and are regular throughout four
months； thus cotton may be cultivated without the expense of artificial
irrigation； at the same time the dry summer offers an inestimable
advantage for gathering the crop。
The Dinka country on the east bank would have been of equal value； but；
as I have already described； it has been depopulated。
There was an old blind sheik who frequently visited us from the other
side； and this poor old fellow came to an untimely end when returning
one day with his son from marketing at Tewfikeeyah。 I was walking on the
quay； when I heard a great commotion； and I saw a splashing in the
river； the surface of which was covered with the ambatch fragments of a
native canoe。 There were many canoes on the river； several of which
immediately went to the assistance of two men who were struggling in the
water。 A hippopotamus had wantonly charged the canoe； and seizing it in
his mouth； together with the poor old blind sheik who could not avoid
the danger； crunched the frail boat to pieces； and so crushed and
lacerated the old man that； although he was rescued by his comrades； he
died during the night。
As peace and confidence had been thoroughly established among the
Shillooks； I determined to send for the governor of Fashoda； and to
introduce him personally to the old king； Quat Kare； whom he had
officially reported to be dead。 I therefore summoned Quat Kare； and
having informed him of my intention； I sent the steamer to Fashoda
（sixty…five miles）； and invited the Koordi to pay me a visit。
When he arrived； I received him beneath the tree which formed my divan；
and after a preliminary pipe and coffee； we proceeded to business。 I
told him that he must have been in error when he reported the death of
the old king； as I had proved him to be still alive。 He replied that he
did not believe the real Quat Kare was in existence； as he had heard on
the best authority that he was dead。 I gave an order to an aide…de…camp；
and in a few minutes the tall and stately figure of the old king was
seen approaching； accompanied by his wives； ministers； and a crowd of
most orderly retainers； including several of his sons。 The king sat down
upon a carpet in a dignified manner； without taking the slightest notice
of the Koordi governor。 His two wives sat down by him； but his sons
stood with his followers a few yards distant。
The Koordi； who was a remarkably handsome old man； with a snow…white
beard； sat equally unmoved； smoking the long chibook； without apparently
regarding the king or his people。 The chibook is a most useful
instrument for a diplomat。 If the situation is difficult； he can puff；
puff； puff； and the i