Fank.

"Your trade is ruined, and you have been blessed with peace." The people of Khartoum were weeping at this news, tears streaming from their eyes, for they were certain that this was a foolish policy and that the Mahdi would advance upon them and conquer them. Then the emirs entered to him and said, "We will be killed and captured by the Mahdi. He has taken some of the forts, and the Mahdi pays no heed to anything you have called for. Nothing will turn him from his error but a vast army. Our men are ready to fight." He showed them hesitation, but he refrained from destroying the forts. Following this, many people abandoned the city, heading for Egypt. Many officials resigned, including Colonel de Cotten. I was surprised by Gordon's insistence on his original opinion after seeing the danger that had twice surrounded Khartoum and the consensus of opinion on his failure.

Mention of Abd al-Qadir bin Um Sam.

Abd al-Qadir bin Um Sam was a jurist from the villages around Khartoum. The people of these villages were calling for him to be their leader. Gordon prevented his appointment as judge, hoping that he would influence the people of these villages and prevent them from joining the Mahdi's call. When Gordon arrived in Khartoum, he was ill. He honored his guest and gave him three hundred riyals. He then declared publicly that the Mahdi was a liar in his claims and that he was not a Mahdi. After receiving the three hundred riyals, he said to Gordon, "On my way to my village, I will not return with my family and my tribe." Gordon said to him, "I fear you will not return." He replied, "I swear by God, I will not return without my family and my tribe. If I die, I die."