64 SERVICE AND SPORT IN THE SUDAN 



miles in 14 days (we could have gone faster, but the 

 need for doing so vanished in the meantime), part of 

 the way over very hilly, as I cannot call it moun- 

 tainous, country, and in bad weather. There are few 

 troops to beat the unspoiled black. 



In the central Bahr el Ghazal I had to deal with 

 the same material, but spoiled by close contact with 

 regulars, whose higher rate of pay, &c., and lower 

 standard of work required, caused a certain amount 

 of discontent, and also by the fact that they were 

 recruited from inferior races to those further west. 

 Nevertheless an order to start on patrol was scarcely 

 given before a man with rifle over his shoulder would 

 be seen making his way out of the station. All the 

 Jehadia were armed with antique Remington rifles, 

 yet their shooting was such as, with good rifles and 

 ammunition, would not have disgraced a British 

 regiment. 



The Arab soldier ! my first tropical love, and 

 whom I first met in the Camel Corps ; first in 

 quality in the Egyptian Army, and facile princeps in 

 the affection of all who have had to do with 

 him. Weighing my letters and notes, written while 

 in the Hagana, in the scales of a wider experience of 

 native troops, I still place him high in merit above 

 all others. The Arab, a dandy in dress, ambitious, 

 a perfect gentleman ; indefatigable in the field — he 

 soared above comparisons ! 1 wonder what he is like 

 now. When I knew him the Hagana (Camel Corps) 

 was in embryo. The head that had conceived it had 

 just gone. A new commanding officer, imbued with 



