4 i4 ZERIBAS IN THE PROVINCE OF ROL. 



did not understand Arabic, and had only lately been brought 

 here, came to ask me to restore them to their own homes ; 

 forty-five of them (twenty-five males and twenty females) 

 belonged to Mula Effendi, the governor of the district ! The 

 question of their support presents no difficulty ; the Negroes 

 grow corn in abundance, and if meat runs short, the Agar or 

 Atwot would be said to be in revolt, a raid would be under- 

 taken, and cows stolen. Then a report would be made to the 

 Government — there are some very curious ones of the kind in 

 existence — and the whole affair would be a thing of the past. 



Since 1877 no accounts have been sent in from or kept 

 by this administration. Though the governors received money 

 for the payment of wages, no one has been paid a piastre for 

 years ; probably, however, the governors have bought goods 

 with the funds belonging to the Government, and sold them at 

 three times the amount. Slaves figure in these accounts as 

 oxen, asses, &c. The making of false seals and fabricating 

 receipts by their use complete the picture of what has been 

 going on here. And with it all the place is full of prayer- 

 places and falds. 



In the divan at Rumbek I sat upon Ziber Pasha's carpets 

 and cushions, and coffee was handed to us by Darfar slave- 

 girls captured by his son. 



It is a curious fact that during more than twenty years' 

 rule, Islam has scarcely made ten proselytes in the whole of 

 our provinces — a greater proof of administrative failure could 

 hardly be furnished. 



On my return journey I succeeded in freeing about fifty 

 more slaves, who had been concealed in the small zeribas of 

 the Beli district, and I sent the owners to Lado. 



Meanwhile soldiers from Lado had arrived in Amadi, and 

 had commenced to turn out the Danagla. Although my sol- 

 diers are not exactly angels, and now and then make the 

 people work for them — they are but Negroes after all — still 

 they are used to discipline, and as far as their treatment of 

 the people is concerned, and the good terms they are on with 

 them, they deserve nothing but praise. But it may be asked, 

 Will my efforts produce any lasting effect ? 



