SPORT OF SORTS WITH THE PRINCE 281 



appearance, lends itself to the wildest " fish stories," 

 and we were solemnly told of dread encounters in 

 which unthinking wayfarers stooping to drink were 

 seized as if by a crocodile, carried off bodily, never to 

 be seen again. The garde-chassc, Keebeet, added to the 

 tales by saying that som afforded excellent sport for a 

 good shot, and wouldn't we hke to try our skill. 



I think they honestly beheved these yarns of theirs, 

 handed down as they have been from generation to 

 generation. The simplicity of these wild Karbardans 

 was their most charming feature, such trustful, 

 childish simplicity, contrasting so oddly and alluringly 

 with the eagle keenness of their eyes. They are simple 

 because they are ignorant. The Juggernaut which we 

 call Progress has not passed through their murmurous 

 forests, the way is too long and too bleak, too menacing 

 and remote. And where there is no progress there is at 

 least content. Content and simplicity go hand in hand 

 — arcades ambo. 



All the Mahommedans hereabouts ate fish, and were 

 ardent fishermen. I suppose there is no law against 

 Moslems eating fish, but I have noticed that very 

 often they don't seem particularly addicted to it. 

 And another thing. I never saw them slash the fish's 

 throat as the Prophet directed. We asked Ali about 

 this, out of curiosity, and he said, pointing to the red 

 gills, that Allah himself had prepared for that by 

 cutting the throat all in readiness for the Faithful. 



Everywhere in the woods a low-growing broad- 

 leafed plant was rampant, the favourite food, the 

 Prince told us, of the bison who once roamed these 



