334 Seven Vea?'s in ihc Soudan.

" After a short pause, lie continued, ' But the Europeans hare good reason to wish to abolish the slave trade. It is true that I am poor, but even among the rich how many can be glad or enjoy the fruit of their labour ? ' And he mentioned a number of Arabs who, from being the possessors of millions, were now beggars. ' Yes,' he added, ' this trade is cursed by God, for not one dies with a tranquil mind.'

" ' So,' I observed, ' the Government has done wisely in putting an end to this trade ? ' " The Arab, shaking his head, began to laugh. " ' Why do you laugh ? ' I asked. ' Is not Avhat I say true ? ' " ' Dear sir, I should have too much to say. You travel, it is true, but you are ignorant of many things, because no one takes the trouble to make them known to you. At first nothing but ivory was transported, the natives taking cloth and beads in exchange, A load of ivory was soon made, and we were furnished with beasts and srrain, in which the country was rich, without recompense. But later on, when the inhabitants began to be captured, there arose resistance, and nothing could be obtained without the help of powder and balls. The difl&culty in finding ivory augmented, and the natives, on our appearance, burnt their houses and hid in the woods. The Government, by preventing the transportation of slaves by way of the rivers, has only increased the evil. I will tell you why. When the transport was made with boats, although the slaves were heaped together in great quantity, the mortality only reached ten per cent. But now that this route is hindered, what happens ? Bands of thousands of Arabs gather in Kordofan, and descend to devastate the country. The slaves are made to walk over mountains, through woods and across deserts for months and months before arriving at Kordofan, and during the journey water and grain become scarce,