306 SAVAGE SUDAN 



kingdoms were toppling over in consecutive ruin, found 

 the author (with other greybeards) panting to resume the 

 interrupted activities of life. Four long years "on the 

 chain" practically interned at home whetted desire, 

 and no sooner had Germany surrendered than, on 

 November i2th, we started to engineer a new venture 

 in the Sudan. The obstacles encountered were appalling 

 and the scheme perhaps premature, not to say precipitate; 

 but we got there precisely how, I hardly remember. 

 There survives a hazy recollection of being asked by a 

 high official, "Are we to understand, Mr Chapman, that 

 this expedition of yours to the Sudan is of urgent national 

 importance?" My reply that I had never put it quite 

 so high as that, but that (at my age) I regarded it as 

 of "urgent zoological importance"- clinched the matter; 

 passports were granted. Next came the ocean-passage 

 surely an insuperable obstacle? Some doubt if the 

 P. & O. possess a heart ; but they do ... for I penetrated 

 that organ and am grateful. The rest of the obstacles 

 we seemed to take in our stride and finally got through. 

 It was, of course, "long-sea" all the way, mine-dodging 

 for 3225 miles from the Nore to Port Said 4000 by our 

 devious route : and our equipment included "paravanes " 

 rigged from either bow, with a 4-7 quick-firer astern ; boats, 

 moreover, swung outboard to provide for all contingencies. 1 

 Thus we reached the Sudan ; but should, nevertheless, 

 have been finally stranded had not the Sirdar, General 

 Sir Lee Stack and gracious Lady Stack (cuyos pies beso] 

 found time, amidst manifold anxieties, for kindly com- 

 passion and shelter. It is to their aid and hospitality not 

 only that some small zoological results were achieved 

 many of the above notes having been collected in the 

 gardens of the Palace but also that a way home was 



1 The big ocean-liners all retained the fantastic camouflage of the 

 war days; moreover to record a trifle (plim meminisse placebit?} the 

 lunch that was served on board the British-India s.s. Ormara, as we steamed 

 down the Thames, was the first square meal we had seen for years ! 



