History of the Sudanese War 14 When he entered among the people, he found about three thousand slaves under arms, in addition to the princes and notables. He addressed their leaders and asked them to surrender, mixing gentle words with harsh ones, and he did not accompany the observation with a threat. He did not leave them until they surrendered and obeyed, with Sulayman ibn Zubayr at their head. Gordon was displeased, recounting on the Bahr al-Ghazal. Then Gordon returned to Khartoum and stayed there for a short time, and from there he headed to Bor. He was informed in Dughla that the Abyssinians were attacking Sennar, so he returned to Khartoum, where he found the rumor to be false. Then he went to Bogos to reconcile the people and returned thereafter to Khartoum. An order came to him by telegraph to come to Cairo for deliberation on important matters concerning the province of Sudan. He headed to Cairo after spending a year as governor in Sudan. He remained in Cairo for about a month, then returned to Khartoum, passing through Suakin and Berber, and stayed for a few months adjusting the country's finances. Whoever reads the details of what we have summarized of Gordon's actions, his travels, and the dangers he faced, it would occur to his mind that he was a tall man with broad hands, of great merit, strong of body, with a stern face, possessing an awe that stops the passerby and calms the gaze. Security remained in the country and his authority was established over Sudan and the regions. However, it turns out that he was a short man, slender of body, with a small face, but the brilliance of his presence and intellect shone on his face. Sulayman ibn Zubayr seized the opportunity of Gordon's preoccupation with improving the government departments in Khartoum and not paying attention to the country's finances. He gathered about three thousand fighters from Halfa and Maz, broke away from obedience, and openly rebelled against the government. Gordon found him...