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huts； and agriculture appears to be the prevailing fashion。 I am
surrounding the cultivation with a live fence of euphorbia。 Julian has
been unwell for some time past。
〃The natives appear to have gained confidence； as they are bringing
their cattle across the river from the islands to our fine pasturage。 It
is curious to see the manner in which the herd follows the man who swims
before them as their guide； while other natives direct them while
swimming by striking them upon the horns with long bamboos。
〃Yesterday the river rose about two feet； but it fell almost as
suddenly； showing that the rise was only the effect of the heavy rain
upon the mountain ranges throughout the country。
〃One of the boys； Said； caught three fish； weighing about eight； ten；
and twenty pounds each。 These were of the Siluras species； and are
excellent eating。
〃The white ants are now issuing from the ground in vast numbers in the
winged state； and are taking flight。 Myriads of the black and white tern
and the white storks are following them。 The lizards are also at work in
the general persecution。
〃April 26； 27。 Made new garden beds。 All the seeds sown by the troops
are above ground； to the great delight of the men。 We cleared and sowed
about an acre with Indian corn to…day。〃
We thus continued working and improving； until we had in a comparatively
short time produced a great result。 About ten acres of corn were above
ground； as a few showers had started the seeds like magic。 My men were
comfortably housed in a neat station on the high ground； while my
servants had a pretty little village of their own situated on the knoll；
by the river side； about fifty yards from my diahbeeah。 This vessel was
moored alongside the bank； the fine grass of which was kept closely cut；
so as to resemble a lawn； that extended for about thirty yards； this was
bounded by prickly pears and ornamented by a large and showy
butter…nut…tree； which formed our out…door drawing room。
It was all very well to establish a government； and to commence the
civilization of Central Africa； but we were very hungry； and we could
procure nothing from the natives。 We had no butchers' meat； neither
would the Sheik Allorron or his people sell us either sheep or cattle。
For several days we lived upon sparrows； which Monsoor shot by
sprinkling corn upon the ground and firing into the assembled flock of
hundreds。 The country was swarming with these small birds； which are no
doubt delicacies； but if you have a good appetite they are a little too
light on the stomach。 In the mean time； although the natives could now
venture to drive their cattle to the rich pasturage under our
protection； which they could not before enjoy for fear of their enemies
the Loquia； they absolutely refused to sell； or to supply us in any
manner。 In spite of my explanations to the sheik by the interpreter
Tomby； he refused to bring either grass or wood for the expected
soldiers' huts； or in fact to do anything to serve us。
Upon one occasion； as my men were sowing and clearing the land for
planting； he employed natives to work at the same kind of cultivation in
front of the troops； in order to claim a right to the soil。 On this
occasion he came himself； prepared with a cup formed of a small
gourd…shell slung by a string upon his neck。 He explained that this was
his cup for drinking araki； with which he requested to be supplied。
〃How long are you going to remain here？〃 he asked。 He continued； 〃You
had better go back to Khartoum； and I will eat the corn you have planted
when it becomes ripe。〃
I explained that Gondokoro would be head…quarters； and that troops would
always remain there； and we should cultivate a large extent for corn。 He
replied： 〃Then who does this land belong to？to you or to me？〃 I
explained that his people had been driven out by a superior force； and
that we had found it abandoned； at the same time； neither he nor his
people dare remain here without my protection； therefore the land
belonged to the Khedive of Egypt； but if the natives wished to re…settle
I would give them their original property。
He simply replied； 〃Who does this tree belong to？〃 （we were standing
beneath its shade）。 〃It belongs to the Khedive of Egypt；〃 I replied；
〃who is now protector of the whole country； and I am his representative
to establish his government。〃
He replied： 〃Then you had better be off to Khartoum； for we don't want
any government here。〃
There can be no doubt that in the abstract of people's rights； any
annexation of the territory of another is an infringement。 Had this
principle been adhered to throughout the history of the world； there
would have been no progress。 Savages of all countries are prone to
strife； and a state of chronic warfare with neighbouring tribes is the
example of African politics。 A strong government is a necessity。
I had always expected trouble with the Baris； as I had known them during
my former journey as a tribe of intractable savages。 The Austrian
missionaries had abandoned them as hopeless； after many efforts and a
great expenditure of money and energy。
The natives had pulled down the neat mission house； and they had pounded
and ground the bright red bricks into the finest powder； which mixed
with grease formed a paint to smear their naked bodies。 Thus the only
results of many years' teaching were the death of many noble men； the
loss of money； the failure of the attempt； and instead of the enterprise
leaving a legacy of inward spiritual grace to these 〃men and brethren；〃
the missionary establishment itself was converted into an external
application for the skin： the house of God was turned into 〃pomade
divine。〃 This was a result that might have been expected by any person
who had practical experience of the Baris。
The extent of country occupied by this tribe was about ninety miles in
length from north to south； and seventy in width。 Although the people
who inhabited this district were all Baris； there was no cohesion among
them。 They were divided into numerous small chiefdoms； each governed by
its sheik or head man。 Thus Allorron represented Gondokoro； while every
petty district was directed by a similar sheik。 The Bari country was
thickly inhabited。 The general features of the landscape were rolling
park…like grass lands；very little actual flat； but a series of
undulations； ornamented with exceedingly fine timber…forests of
considerable extent； and mountains rising to about 2；500 or 3；000 feet
above their base。 From these mountains numerous streams drained to the
Nile： these were generally dry in the summer season。 The soil was poor
in the neighbourhood of Gondokoro； but at a distance from the river； the
country was fertile； the rocks were throughout granitic； the mountains
yielded the finest iron ore； especially those of Belinian； twelve miles
from Gondokoro； where the natives were expert black smiths。 Cultivation
was carried on to a large extent throughout the country； the corn
generally used was the common dhurra （Sorghum vulgare）。 This was usually
the dark…red variety； which； being rather bitter； has a chance of escape
from the clouds of small birds which ruin