Ginnis ; the Khalifas. 179 When the news of the fall of Khartum reached England, it was first determined to operate on the Sudan from the Suakin side, and a British expedition was sent there, together with a force of navvies to construct a railway to Berber (v. p. 189). Preparations were also begun for another Nile campaign in the autumn, and the troops of the late expedition were encamped for the summer along the river.

After some months the Government decided to proceed Retirement no further with the Sudan operations, and the whole force jfonj e un " ef was withdrawn, leaving the country unoccupied south of 1885. Kosheh. A temporary native Government was established at Dongola, but it proved of no value, and fell to pieces on the advance of the enemy.

The Mahdists pushed gradually forward, and by the end of November came into touch with our frontier fie:d force, now composed of 1,700 British and 1,500 Egyptian troops. A harassing month of skirmishes ensued, which was put an end to by the decisive victory of onr trcops, under Sir F. Stephenson, at Ginnis, on the 30th December. Battle of Abdul Mejid was wounded, and the enemy's losses December, amounted to 800 out of 6,000. 1885 -Meanwhile the Mahdi was dead. He bad been poisoned Death of the by a woman, and died on the 22nd June. Before his _ death, he had nominated four Khalifas to succeed him in Khalifas, order, and had also sketched out a broad plan for the invasion of Egypt.

The first of the Khalifas, Abdullah Ibn es Sayid Hamadallah et Taaishi, a Baggara of the Taaisha tribe (as his name implies), succeeded the Mahdi, and consolidated his position (which he still occupies) by tyranny, cunning, and crime.

The second Khalifa, Ali wad Helu, is a Sheikh of the Degheim and Kenana Arabs.* He is fanatical and religious, but his quarrels with Abdullah have not disposed him in his favour.

The third Khalifaship, which was offered to and refused by the Sheikh es Senussi, was filled by one Adam wad el Oweysir, but appears to have lapsed. The fourth Khalifa is Mohamed esh Sherif, son-in-law of the Mahdi. His * Originally from ennar; horse-breeding tribes.

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