256 UGANDA AND THE EGYPTIAN SOUDAN.

he concluded that the reinforcement had joined him, and that against such a force resistance would be fruitless ; and knowing his father's influence at Cairo, he imagined that, as on former occasions, his life would now be spared. As soon as Suleiman surrendered, Gessi ordered all the rebels to fall in, ground their arms, and march forward thirty paces ; this done, at a signal his men rushed forward, seized the arms, and stood with pointed guns between the rebels and their weapons. A few of the ringleaders were put in irons, and. the rest were sent in bands of fifty in different directions, each party being supplied with two guns for protection against leopards. As soon as they were well out of hearing distance, Suleiman was allowed to pay Gressi a visit. He was offered coffee, and said he hoped he should be pardoned. Gessi replied he could j)romise nothing. Suleiman then went out, and the officers said they had better fetter him, as he might escape.

This being done, the officers retired, and a company of soldiers immediately shot him. This account we heard from three independent witnesses, and it is given because in Egypt it is disbelieved that Suleiman was ever really shot.

There is, however, not a shadow of doubt about it.

Mr. Wilson was entrusted by Gessi Pasha with his seal to give to Gordon Pasha, which he did in London in May 1881. The chain belonging to the seal was taken by the officer who commanded the