THE SPADE-WORK OF YEARS 227 place of the sixty cattle demanded, and fairly cheerfully contributing six head of cattle as tax. This was naturally considered a most satisfactory outcome of the policy adopted.

Machar Diu proved to be a young man, violently opposed to any control by the Government, although personally showing good-will to his visitors. He was keen and straightforward and showed no deceit, was intellectually far superior to his brethren, virile as a fighting man, and capable of arguing soundly from an intelhgent basis. Once convinced of the power of Government, and confidential relations established, he might be a powerful instrument for good ; but such a consummation is by no means assured.

Enough has been said to demonstrate the difficulties encountered in attempting to administer such countries as these, and it cannot with any certainty be judged when the limit of pacific policy may not be reached. Even of late the Khor Filus Dinkas have had to receive their first lesson by force, and the turn of Shilluks and Nuers might easily come.

To the authors of this policy this would be a sad day ; if they regard it in too circumscribed a light, their work of years might seem to be lost. In reality this is not so, for it is merely the complementary side of the system—the demonstration of strength behind kindness. The spade-work of years may show little apparent result, but, still, it is there, and the hardest part of a nut is the shell.

15—2