24 SERVICE AND SPORT IN THE SUDAN 



been built. The position was very strong. The 

 dervnshes, by the way, in spite of their efforts, never 

 succeeded in subduing these Nubas. 



Less hospitable were the hill fastnesses among 

 these hills visited by Captain Leveson (i8th Hussars) 

 and Captain Morant (Durham L.I.). The inhabitants 

 of one of them had the unpleasant habit of killing 

 every intruder, and following and killing any of 

 their own citizens who showed any inclination to 

 wander. Leaving their escorts at the foot, these 

 officers climbed up alone and established friendly 

 relations with the inhabitants. In one of them 

 hostility subsided as Leveson lit a match ; they 

 thought that he produced the flame from the end of 

 his fingers. 



To continue : the rain was falling when, accom- 

 panied by Mek Tagoi and about 150 of his riflemen, 

 we set out for J. Rashad, where for the first time I 

 saw people tilling with spears. The spear is driven 

 into the ground, the vibrations of the handle loosen 

 it, and a woman drops seed from a basket into the 

 holes, eighteen inches apart, and covers it with earth 

 with her foot. 



From our halting-place to the foot of the Jebel 

 (hill) stretched a plain about 600 yards wide, with a 

 solitary big tree in the centre. Presently about 200 

 riflemen and many spearmen formed up at the foot 

 of the hill, and in a dense crowd moved towards us. 

 To prevent collision between the Meks the on-comers 

 were told to halt, and the Meks and their wazirs to 

 come on alone. The latter declared themselves 



