Khartoum and Omdurman 



right and might so long as they are firmly con- 

 vinced that it is fair and square. To give another 

 case in point : some years ago we got a batch of 

 recruits for the King's African Rifles, who had 

 been taken prisoners at the storming of the 

 Atbara zareba in 1898 by the British army in 

 their advance on Khartoum. After some years 

 of zealous service with his new battalion, one of 

 the batch — a certain private — appeared at orderly 

 room one morning with a complaint. On being 

 told to state his case, he asked if he need be 

 made to do his " physical drill " on parade any 

 more as he was " so old." On being questioned 

 as to his age, he produced from his trouser pocket 

 a long string of medals some of which he said he 

 had won when serving for the Emperor Maxi- 

 milian in Mexico in the " sixties"! It was perfectly 

 true, and he was accorded the required permission ; 

 and now the dear old thing has been made 

 regimental orderly, and sits blinking at the sun 

 on a seat of his own, perfectly happy, stiff with 

 medals, doing odd jobs, and smart as a new pin. 

 He was quite prepared to serve any master or 

 cause loyally to the utmost of his ability. 

 Sudanese are first-rate fellows to serve with, and 

 take the rough with the smooth and never a 

 grumble. A joke or a bit of chaff goes down 

 well, and they show their appreciation by opening 

 wide their great blubber-like lips and exhibiting 

 the white ivories in a terrible grin from ear to 



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