I found a lot of chain armour here, just like the armour of
Saladin's people, time of the Crusades, with old helmets, some embossed
with gold. They were taken from the Sultan Ibrahim's bodyguard when he
was killed. The sheep are wonderful; some with a regular mane. The
people would delight in the interest you would take in them. When the
Egyptians took the country here, they seized an ancient mosque for a
mug. I have given it back and endowed it. There was a great ceremony,
and the people are delighted. It is curious how these Arab tribes came
up here. It appears those of Biernan and Bagerini came from Tripoli;
the others came up the Nile. The Dar Fertit lies between these semi-
Mussulman lands and the Negro lands proper. On the border are the
Niam-Niam, who circumcise. I suppose they took it from these Arab
tribes. I only hope you will come up. You will (D.V.) find no great
trouble here by that time, and none of the misery I have had.
"Believe me,
"Yours sincerely,
"C. G. GORDON."
A few weeks later Burton's laconic refusal of Darfur reached Gordon.
That Gordon was nettled a little is apparent from the opening paragraph
of the following letter. But he was far too just not to understand;
and so far from resenting Burton's frankness, as a lesser man might
have done, this incident only served to make him appreciate his rare
qualities the more:
"EN ROUTE TO BERBER, October 19, 1877.
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