16 
SAVAGE SUDAN 
definition refers to health. It is nothing less than Afric’s 
due that I should place on record the fact that after each 
strenuous expedition (alike in Equatoria and the Sudan) 
I have returned home invigorated and rejuvenated. I 
deprecate this remark being construed as purely personal 
—much less egotistic. It is written in no such sense. 
Health and strength (to say nothing of a renewal of 
youth!) are objects of prime importance to all: hence this 
experience of mine may have a value to others. That it is 
no mere passing fancy but a verdict based on years of 
personal experience, will be demonstrated by a reference 
to my On Safari , p. 7, wherein, a dozen years ago, I 
expressed the identical opinion as regards East Africa 
which I now confirm respecting the Sudan. 
Merely to hang about the verandah of some hotel 
at Khartoum or Nairobi, imbibing iced drinks, would 
certainly fail to produce the results specified. But a good 
hard winter’s work on the outer veld is, in my case, 
equivalent to adding, shall I say ? a couple more years to 
“Life on the First Letter.” Now, after that advertise¬ 
ment, the Sudan Government may well “buck up” and 
present the author with the freedom of their country 
for life! 
Appropriately may here be mentioned an incidental 
advantage that the Sudan offers to those already past the 
meridian of life. The Upper Nile can be exploited by sail 
for upwards of 1200 miles, with far less strenuous physical 
labour than is demanded by every other African hunting- 
field. The traveller lives afloat aboard his gyassa (a sort 
of sailing house-boat), taking along all necessaries-— 
luxuries, too, if required—and from this mobile base 
commands the bulk of the game-country—since in the 
dry season all animal-life is dependent upon the river 
itself. To this extent the Sudan practically prolongs the 
period of life available for African hunting. Personally, 
I was well within the seventh decade ere setting foot 
therein. 
