Sudan, rather, was freed from two great predicaments. I learned from a sheikh of high standing that Muhammad Ali Pasha was aware that a certain state was seeking to confront him by occupying the sources of the Nile. He therefore gave this matter his utmost attention and consulted many European engineers whom he brought from their countries to this region. They unanimously agreed that the sources of the Nile were crucial. He then resolved to send a campaign to Sudan. His soldiers were irregular Azharis, and he was concerned about their disobedience, as he had intended to establish regular troops in the European style. He therefore sent them into the unknown regions of Sudan to rid himself of their troubles. There, one of two outcomes awaited them: either death or victory. If the former occurred, he would not lack soldiers, as he would organize them in the European style to replace these men. If the latter occurred, he would have secured the sources that threatened his country's existence. The conquerors continued to reap the benefits of the conquered lands with their own hands, and the hand of the ruler was free to recruit as he wished, train battalions, and organize them without opposition or reproach. These were the two reasons that prompted Muhammad Ali Pasha to open Sudan. Fate decreed for him the fulfillment of both and freedom from the two predicaments. A leader from the tribe of Al-Jum'ayn in the region of Berber, named (Dushayr bin 'Aqeed), and his tribe, Al-Maqayda, arrived. They were located west of the Nile, then north of the tribe of Shandi, about ten miles away. He received him with honor. This leader proposed to Muhammad Ali Pasha to send a campaign to conquer Sudan and explained the reason for his arrival: that a leader named Al-Mak Nimr had insulted him before the king. He sent him a gift, but he apologized. So he sent a detachment of his men after him and ordered them to strike his neck. This state is one whose consequences are unknown, as the life of a ruler becomes dependent on it.