here is a superabundance of sun and water,
almost any crop or plant can be grown. The French officers, with the
adaptive thrift of their nation, had already, in spite of the ravages
of the water-rats, created a good vegetable garden, from which they
were able to supplement their monotonous fare. The natives,
however--aboriginal negroes of the Dinka and Shillook tribes--are
unwilling to work, except to provide themselves with the necessaries
of life; and since these are easily obtained, there is very little
cultivation, and the fertility of the soil may be said to increase
the poverty of the country. At all seasons of the year the climate of
Fashoda is pestilential, and the malarial fever attacks every European
or Egyptian, breaking down the strongest constitutions, and in many
cases causing death. [The place is most unhealthy, and in March 1899
(the driest season of the year) out of a garrison of 317 men only 37
were fit for duty.--Sir William Garstin's Report: EGYPT, No. 5, 1899.]

On this dismal island, far from civilisation, health, or comfort, the
Marchand Mission and the Egyptian garrison lived in polite antagonism
for nearly three months. The French fort stood at the northern end.
The Egyptian camp lay outside the ruins of the town. Civilities were
constantly exchanged between the forces, and the British officers
repaid the welcome gifts of fresh vegetables by newspapers and other
conveniences. The Senegalese riflemen were smart and well-conducted
soldiers, and the blacks of the Soudanese battalion soon imitated their
officers in reciprocating courtesies. A feeling of mutual respect sprang
up between Colonel Jackson and Major Marchand. The dashing commandant
of the XIth Soudanese, whose Egyptian medals bear no fewer than fourteen
clasps, was filled with a generous admiration for the French explorer.
Realising the difficulties, he appreciated the magnificence of the
achievement; and as he spoke excellent French a good and almost cordial
understanding was established, and no serious disagreement occurred.
But, notwithstanding the polite relations, the greatest vigilance was
exercised by both sides, and whatever civilities were exchanged were of
a formal nature.

The Dinkas and Shillooks had on the first arrival of the French made
submission, and had supplied them with provisions. They knew that white
men were said to be coming, and they did not realise that there were
different races among the whites. Marchand was