196 Equatorial Province 1884-1887.

placed there by Gordon in 1879. His forces in 1882 consisted of two battalions (about 1,300) of Egyptian and Sudanese troops, and 3,000 irregulars, distributed amongst 40 to 50 stations. This province was, by tlie end of 1882, practically the only Egyptian territory south of Khartum which was not in sympathy with the Mabdi.

Karamalla, in May (27th), 1884, summoned Emin to surrender. The latter, whose men were greatly scattered and, by this time, considerably disaffected, agreed to send a deputation to surrender, but, meanwhile, held out at La cdo 1885. and Amadi, hoping for reinforcements. Amadi fell in March, 1885, and on the 18th April Karamalla arrived within three days of Lado and informed Emin of the fall of Khartum. Emin thereupon determined to retire south to Wadelai, giving up the more northerly posts.

Karamalla shortly afterwards was obliged to fall back owing to disturbances in the Bahr el Ghazal caused by several Emirs refusing to recognise the Khalifa Abdullah as successor of the Mahdi, and Emin retired to Wadelai to open friendly relations with Kabarega, King of Unyoro. Meanwhile Lado and Regaf were attacked by negro tribes in the district but held out.

1886. On the 26th February, 1886, Emin received, through the assistance of Kabarega, letters from Cairo, via Zanzibar, in which he was informed by Nubar Pasha (dated 2.11.85) that the Sudan was abandoned, and he " might take any steps he liked should he decide to lea.ve the country." Dr. Junker, who had been, off and on, with Emin since January, 1884, started for Zanzibar, via Uganda, in January, 1886, and his representations in 1887. Europe had the effect of starting the Emin Relief Expedition.

During 1886 and 1887 a mutinous spirit had been brewing amongst Emin's troops, who wished to retire northwards instead of southwards. On the 15th December, 1887, the advanced guard of Stanley's expedition arrived on the Albert Nyanza, but, not hearing any news of Emin, went back for their boat, which had Been left at Kilonga Longa's. Kabarega now, to whom Emin had sent Casati* to keep open communications with Zanzibar, on hearing that Stanley had fought and defeated the Mazamboni, his allies, changed his friendly attitude to * An Italian officer who had been sent out to assist G-essi Pasha and remained on to explore.