"Even at Fatiko the brass-coil bracelets from Zanzibar are now common. Some of Abou Saood's people are actually dressed in Manchester manufactures that have arrived via Zanzibar at Unyoro. This is a terrible disgrace to the Soudan authorities; thus the Zanzibar traders are purchasing by legitimate dealing ivory that should, geographically speaking, belong to Cairo.
"While fair dealing is the rule south of the equator, piracy and ruin are the rule of the north.
"Abou Saood and his people are now in a dilemma. For many years they have pillaged the country, and after having taught the natives to regard cows as the only medium of exchange for ivory, they have at length exhausted the cattle. Thus the transport of their large stock of ivory has for a time become impossible, as sufficient cows cannot be collected for the purpose.
"Every load from Fatiko to Ismailia (Gondokoro) requires two cows; one to Lobore, and another thence to the journey's end.
"By the Nile traders' arrangements, the companies of Abou Saood receive as their perquisite one-third of all the cattle that may be stolen in successful razzias.
"The consumption of cattle by these brigands is enormous. All flour is purchased in exchange for flesh, while flesh is also necessary for food; thus the cow is being eaten at both ends.
"The frightful drain upon the country may be imagined by the following calculation, which is certainly below the truth:—
"If 1,000 loads of ivory must be carried to Ismailia,
2,000 cows are required as payment of carriers;
To capture in a razzia 3,000 cows,
1000 belong to the brigands as their perquisite;
300 are necessary to feed the native carriers and soldiers
_____ during the journey;
3,300 cows are required to deliver 1,000 loads of ivory a
distance of 165 miles, from Fatiko to Ismailia (Gondokoro).
A station of 350 men consumes
daily . . . . 700 lbs.
In addition, they require to
exchange for flour . . . . 350 lbs.
——-
Daily consumption of flesh . . 1,050 lbs.