38 SERVICE AND SPORT IN THE SUDAN 



is somewhat tardily recognised that the scattered force 

 of 700 Sudanese, aided by 300 local irregulars, is 

 scarcely a sufficient garrison for Kordofan in its pre- 

 sent state. At Nahud information and messages start 

 pouring in. The delay owing to the alarm has given 

 the Sirdar time to stop our advance. Carter sends 

 laconically to say that he has "knocked" the raiding 

 party, and is on his way back to Nahud. Sultan Ali 

 Dinar bolts with his wives to the Wadai frontier, and 

 sends to say that he is perfectly innocent of all ill- 

 intent or actions. His people, ground down by der- 

 vish laws and impositions, send to say that they are 

 waiting to welcome us. Best of all is the news that, 

 owing to Carter's prompt and successful action, all is 

 quietening down in the province. 



We then hear that Slatin Pasha is going to meet 

 Ali Dinar. Eventually he finds this unnecessary. 



The occupation of Darfur, which would have been 

 as simple as it would have been advantageous, is thus 

 knocked on the head. Whittingham's Company is sent 

 to patrol the frontier, his veterinary knowledge and 

 medicines helping to heal the Furs wounded by 

 Carter's party. The story of Carter's exploit, for it 

 well deserves the name, is this. He set out, as already 

 described, against an unknown force of Furs, who had 

 entered our territory and at the sword's point were 

 levying tribute on our people. When near their camp- 

 ing place he tied up his two dozen camels and made 

 a sudden attack. The first news of his approach the 

 Emir in command received was a bullet which chipped 

 a piece off the blade of a spear he was holding as 



