256 The National Geographic Magazine 



crr=^K 





k: — ; ^.ra— re -iBL^s. 



''•^-Imiiii mi 1111(111 



Palace of the Sirdar, Khartum 



headquarters when he receives from his 

 followers the taxes he hands over 

 to the British commander. The Shillook 

 further enhances his own dignity and ap- 

 pearance of indifference by standing on 

 one leg while the sole of the unused foot 



. 



Gordon Statue, Khartum 



is pointed at right angles above the knee 

 of the leg in service, the two describing 

 almost exactly a figure 4. Braced by his 

 long spear, the Shillook will stand for 

 hours in this position, and no power on 

 earth apparently — other than that of the 

 almighty dollar in almost any form — is 

 sufficient to induce him to unfold and 

 move. Much difference of opinion ex- 

 ists as to the industrial value of the Shil- 

 look. The officers say that he is too lazy 

 to work, to talk, actually even to smoke, 

 preferring to hand the pipe to a wife or 

 female to keep it alight, that an occa- 

 sional puff may be enjoyed, while the mis- 

 sionaries speak with hope of encouraging 

 results. 



Cattle are the currency and cattle-rais- 

 ing the great industry of the Shillooks, 

 and their herds of thousands range over 

 the level luxurious valleys, almost con- 

 cealed by the tall grass. The stock are a 

 worthy lot, all colors and sizes, and evi- 

 dently a skilled American breeder could 

 ask no more inviting field. Shillooks 

 never kill cattle for any purpose whatso- 

 ever, though those which die a natural 

 death are eaten. They are used to buy 

 wives, six or eight cows for a woman, 

 with the privilege to the buyer of return 

 in reasonable time if not satisfied. The 

 American missionaries here are giving 

 the natives valuable instruction in the 



