230 THE WORLD'S WONDERS. 



declared that the greater portion of the men of their villages 

 had been killed by the slave-hunters. 



The vessel was sent to Khartoum to be confiscated as a slaver, 

 while the slaves were taken off, ordered to wash, and cloths were 

 then issued to the naked women. The result of this capture is 

 described by Baker as follows : " On the following day I inspected 

 the captives, and explained to them their exact position. They 

 were free people, and if their homes were at a reasonable dis- 

 tance they should be returned. If not, they must make them- 

 selves generally useful, in return for which they would be fed 

 and clothed. If any of the women wished to marry, there were 

 many fine young men in the regiments who would make capital 

 husbands. I gave each person a paper of freedom signed by 

 myself. This was contained in a hollow reed, and suspended 

 round their necks. Their names, approximate age, sex, and 

 country were registered in a book corresponding with the num- 

 bers on their papers. 



** These arrangements occupied the whole morning. In the 

 afternoon I again inspected them. Having asked the officer 

 whether any of the negresses would wish to be married, he re- 

 plied that all the women wished to marry, and that they had 

 already selected their husbands 1 This was a wholesale matri- 

 mony, that required a church as large as Westminster Abbey, 

 and a whole company of clergy ! Fortunately, matters are briefly 

 arranged in Africa. I saw the loving couples standing hand in 

 hand. Some of the girls were pretty, and my black troops had 

 shown good taste in their selection. Unfortunately, however, 

 for the Egyptian regiment, the black ladies had a strong antip- 

 athy to brown men, and the suitors were all refused. This was 

 a very awkward affair. The ladies having received their freedom, 

 at once asserted * woman's rights.' I was obliged to limit the 

 matrimonial engagements ; and those who were for a time con- 

 demned to single blessedness were placed in charge of certain 

 officers, to perform the cooking for the troops and other domes- 

 tic work. I divided the boys into classes : some I gave to the 

 English workmen, to be instructed in carpenter's and blacksmith's 



