322 UGANDA AND THE EGYPTIAN SOUDAN.

At Shendi and one or two other small towns, we tried to procure a little milk and other articles of food; hut, not having provided ourselves with copper coins, we found it impossible to induce the people to supply us. Silver money was absolutely refused, and though in order to see if the people would accept it, we ofiered a dollar for a gourd of milk, it was not taken and we had to return disappointed to the steamer. We were told that the reason of the refusal to receive silver money was that the people preferred not to sell their goods rather than to parting with the money afterwards, which they must have done had the tax-gatherers become aware that they possessed any silver. They have no spirit to trade, knowing that any increase of wealth means increased taxation out of all proportion to their means.

One day an incident of some interest took place. An Arab on board had, during the voyage, continually beaten and ill-used a little slave-girl, most unmercifully. He had been remonstrated with more than once, but without effect. One day he had chastised her more severely than ever, and in her despair she threw herself into the fast-flowing stream. Two Arabs in a boat we were towing, saw her jump overboard, and instantly pulling off their clothes, they sprang into the river, caught the girl, and bore her up until the steamer could be stopped, when they were with difficulty taken on board.