ROOSEVELTS RETURN TO CIVILIZATION 
439 
sion, and that General Slatin, who accompanied him to the field, had 
been captured by the Khalifa and held prisoner for twelve years, 
finally making a marvelous escape. Colonel Roosevelt was familiar 
with the book in which Slatin's experience was described and was 
very glad to have him as guide to the battlefield. 
Crossing the river in the Sirdar's launch, Omdurman was 
reached at the early hour of 7.30. Here the traveler was met by a 1 
group of British officials, an escort of Soudanese soldiers, and a group 
of Arab sheiks, picturesquely attired in gorgeous robes of pink, yellow, 
purple, saffron and lavender. They saluted him gravely, and held 
out their hands in some doubt to the vigorous grasp of the American 
Nimrod. Next the troops of infantry passed in review before him, 
and he viewed with a soldier's delight the splendid appearance made 
by these late savage blacks. The troops were admirably drilled, and 
to Roosevelt's question if they could fight, the reply was: 'Tight as 
good as march." 
Omdurman is the greatest market town in the Soudan, and as 
Colonel and Mrs. Roosevelt drove through it they were interested to 
see great piles of gum arabic glistening in the sun and stacks of ivory 
tusks and other African products displayed for sale. Ethel accom¬ 
panied them on a mule, which needed constant whipping to induce 
it to keep up with the procession. Mounted police rode beside the 
cavalcade, four members of the camel corps following, brilliantly 
attired in scarlet coats and turbans and snow-white trousers. Four 
others, similarly dressed, formed the rear guard. 
As they advanced Baron Slatin pointed out and described inter¬ 
esting localities, and showed the house in which he had so long been 
imprisoned and the place in the mosque where he was forced to pray 
daily. This was done to convert him to Mohammedanism, but it failed 
in its purpose. He showed a well which he had dug and dropped a 
pebble into the opening to the water below to indicate how deep it was. 
Though Colonel Roosevelt rode behind horses on this occasion, 
we are told that, with his fondness for new sensations, he did not let j 
the opportunity to try camel riding escape him during his visit to 
Khartum. One experience was enough. Mounting the ungainly 
