414 ZERIBAS IN THE PROVINCE OF ROL.

did not understand Arabic, and had only lately been brought here, came to ask me to restore them to their own homes; forty-five of them (twenty-five males and twenty females) belonged to Mula Effendi, the governor of the district! The question of their support presents no difficulty; the Negroes grow corn in abundance, and if meat runs short, the Agar or Atwot would be said to be in revolt, a raid would be undertaken, and cows stolen. Then a report would be made to the Government—there are some very curious ones of the kind in existence—and the whole affair would be a thing of the past.

Since 1877 no accounts have been sent in from or kept by this administration. ‘Though the governors received money for the payment of wages, no one has been paid a piastre for years; probably, however, the governors have bought goods with the funds belonging to the Government, and sold them at three times the amount. Slaves figure in these accounts as oxen, asses, &c. The making of false seals and fabricating receipts by their use complete the picture of what has been going on here. And with it all the place is full of prayerplaces and fakis.

In the divan at Rumbek I sat upon Ziber Pasha’s carpets and cushions, and coffee was handed to us by Darfur slavegirls captured by his son.

It is a curious fact that during more than twenty years’ rule, Islam has scarcely made ten proselytes in the whole of our provinces—a greater proof of administrative failure could hardly be furnished.

On my return journey I succeeded in freeing about fifty more slaves, who had been concealed in the small zertbas of the Beli district, and I sent the owners to Lado.

Meanwhile soldiers from Lad6 had arrived in Amadi, and had commenced to turn out the Danagla. Although my sol-— diers are not exactly angels, and now and then make the people work for them—they are but Negroes after all—still they are used to discipline, and as far as their treatment of the people is concerned, and the good terms they are on with them, they deserve nothing but praise. But it may be asked, Will my efforts produce any lasting effect ?