28o SERVICE AND SPORT IN THE SUDAN 



From Gadein's I went north-west. I wished to see 

 the Dinka headmen. I, of course, had an escort of 

 fifteen men for show, but as I was no great behever in 

 the Dinka question, I foresaw little difficulty with them. 



For Dinkas, the people were wonderfully polite. 

 Nearly every village had some complaint of non- 

 payment to explain their refusal to clear the road, &c. 



The country was not much different to that east of 

 Gadein's. We passed one or two marshy bits. It 

 was not long before we reached Mayar's country. It 

 is of interest to note that it is almost impossible to 

 call the Dinka headmen sheikhs. Among them there 

 is no hereditary rank as far as I could make out. A 

 man rises noted for his strength of character and arm, 

 and leads a following that swells or diminishes accord- 

 ing to circumstances. 



We have a great deal to learn about this highly 

 interesting people. Real republicans, they stand aloof 

 from us. They have all to gain by doing so. They 

 are strong enough to defend themselves from their 

 neighbours, and submitting to us would merely mean 

 paying taxes. The subject of "the white man's 

 burden " is often threshed out on the confines of 

 empire. We create wants if we can, and supply them — 

 is this an advantage to the native ? — and ensure peace 

 in our jurisdiction. On the other hand, the resources 

 of the country are developed for our benefit principally. 



Mayar's people were undoubtedly bumptious. At 

 his first village I had a row. As usual, I arrived, with 

 a guide and orderly only, miles ahead of my party, and 

 sent for the headman. In any but a Dinka village he 



