THE FERMENT OF DISCONTENT 9

sometimes necessary to demonstrate the warlike

qualities of the " friends of peace," whose motives

are to a great extent incomprehensible to the native

mind. One excellent soldier of the 10th Sudanese,

a late Dervish opponent, speaking of an expedition

with the British into a little-known country, stated

that he could not understand the English—they did

not seem to want to come to blows, although when

they did they were keen enough ; when he went among an alien people, all he longed for was to

have a fine fight.

It cannot be denied, however, that underneath

an appearance of calmness lie smouldering fires. The ambitions of the slave traders cannot easily

be eradicated ; the smart caused by the suppression

of that most lucrative of occupations, and the con-

sequent interference with the Arab social fabric,

still irritates ; the inherent detestation of an infidel

rule, however tolerant, and echoes of the Nationalist

movement in Egypt, and indeed of events in Asia,

combine to render " Fire and Sword in the Sudan

"

once again eminently possible, though the "iron

horse" yearly renders revolutionary success less

attainable.

A magnificent work lies before the rulers of the

Sudan, a great field for the exercise of the finest

attributes of an imperial race. Much has been

accomplished, with an earnestness and devotion on

the part of officials which must command the

admiration of all who have eyes to see ; the clouds

of chaos and barbarism are being gradually dis-