Abyssinians v. Dervishes. 191 In June, 1887, the Abyssinians under Ras Adal 1887. advanced into Gallabat and beat the Dervishes under Wad Arbab, killing the latter. On reinforcements being sent by the Khalifa, under Yunes ed Degheim, Ras Adal announced his intention of invading the Sudan with a large army. Abdullah responded by sending 87,000 men, under Abu Angar and Zeki Tumal, against Adal, and a great battle was fought in August, 1887, at Debra Sin, Battle of 30 miles from Gondar. The Abyssinian army was routed completely, and the Dervishes entered and sacked Gondar. A slight side-issue arose for the moment in the shape of one Nebi Isa, a prophet, who arose at Gallabat in Abu Angar's rear, but although many Dervishes, including Yunes, believed in him, as opposed to the Khalifa, Abu Angar quickly put a stop to the rising by capturing and hanging the prophet. Other risings occurred on the Blue Mle, among the Rufa'a and other tribes, but they were soon suppressed.

At the find of the year Osman Digna advanced again 1888. and besieged Suakin. He was, however, beaten in detail Acuonof and fell back on Handub. The latter place was attacked Handub -by Colonel Kitchener with some irregulars on the 17th January, 1888, but the attack did not succeed, and Colonel Kitchener received a serious wound in the face.

Fighting continued at intervals during the whole year round Suakin. Abu Girgeh arrived, but retired again. At last reinforcements were sent from Cairo, including a British battalion, and Sir Francis Grenfell took command. A decisive action ensued just outside the walls of Suakin (battle of Gemaizeh, 20th December, 1888), in which the Gemaizeh, enemy were completely defeated. In the following year ber, 1888. a certain amount of local fighting went on near the town, but the tribes were becoming exhausted, and Osman was losing some of his influence.

King John of Abyssinia was meanwhile vowing vengeance for the defeat at Debra Sin, and in April of 1888 a sham Abyssinian deputation visited Omdurman, nominally to bring the submission of Ras Adal, but in reality to spy out the land. Abu Angar advanced again, and was at first successful, but in July Ras Adal smote him hip and thigh, and the Dervish general died in the following January, whilst Ras Adal became King of 1889. Gojam, under the name of Tekla Haimanot. King John