Ill 
THE ELEPHANT 
117 
lished, which had laid the foundations for future 
civilisation. The splendid sword-hunters of the Ham- 
ran Arabs, who were our friends in former days, have 
been converted into enemies by the meddling of 
the British Government with affairs which they 
could not understand. It is painful to look back to 
the past, when Lady Baker and myself, absolutely 
devoid of all escort, passed more than twelve months 
in exploring the wildest portions of the Soudan, 
attended only by one Egyptian servant, assisted by 
some Arab boys which we picked up in the desert 
among the Arab tribes. In those days the name of 
England was respected, although not fairly under¬ 
stood. There was a vague impression in the Arab 
mind that it was the largest country upon earth ; 
that its Government was the emblem of perfec¬ 
tion ; that the military power of the country was 
overwhelming (having conquered India); and that 
the English people always spoke the truth, and never 
forsook their friends in the moment of distress. 
There was also an idea that England was the only 
European Power which regarded the Mussulmans 
with a friendly eye, and that, were it not for British 
protection, the Russians would eat the Sultan and 
overthrow the mosques, to trample upon the Mahom- 
medan power in Constantinople. England was 
therefore regarded as the friend and the ally of the 
Mahommedans ; it was known that we had together 
fought against the Russians, and it was believed that 
we were always ready to fight in the same cause 
when called upon by the Sultan. All British mer- 
