xiv INTRODUCTION. 



justly belonging to it having been debited to it by various 

 Governors of the Sudan, sometimes with the object of free- 

 ing their special province from inconvenient debts, and some- 

 times in order to cook their own accounts, which were not 

 always in a flourishing condition. 



After Gordon Pasha left for the wider sphere of work, his 

 place was at first filled by Colonels Prout and Mason, who, 

 however, only held office for a few months, as they both had 

 to retire on account of ill health. Then followed a succes- 

 sion of incompetent native Governors, under whose abominable 

 rule the province rapidly deteriorated to a pitiable condition. 

 Oppression, injustice, brutality, and downright robbery grew 

 like the Upas tree, and it was under these conditions that 

 Emin Effendi was entrusted by Gordon Pasha with the reins 

 of office. 



Up to this time, Emin had been the surgeon-in-chief of 

 the Equatorial Province ; he had often travelled throughout 

 its length and breadth in company with his chief, Gordon 

 Pasha, from whom he had learnt much, and whose work he 

 so much admired, as is clearly indicated in this book.* 

 During this time he became intimately acquainted with 

 native character, and was entrusted by Gordon Pasha with 

 three very difficult diplomatic missions — two visits to Uganda 

 and one to Unyoro. This, however, was all the experience 

 he had had when placed in power, and at first his difficulties 

 were greatly increased by want of a definite rank, for, although 



* Gordon Pasha's opinion of Emin may be gathered from his appointment of 

 him to such a responsible post as Governor of the Equatorial Province, and I can 

 bear testimony to the fact that he held him in high esteem. After my return 

 from the Sudan, I had several conversations with Gordon Pasha about Emin, and 

 he invariably expressed his high appreciation of his services as a Governor, and of 

 his varied accomplishments. He remained in correspondence with Emin until 

 communications with the Equatorial Province broke down, and during his resi- 

 dence in Palestine he wrote more than once inviting Emin to pay him a visit. 

 These invitations were very welcome, and in a letter I received from Emin he 

 expressed his great satisfaction that his former chief was still so much interested 

 in his work, and continued to entertain for him a deep personal regard. 



