A DISASTER NEAR FASHODA. 433 the west, and, now in open rebellion, preached to the Bakara a war against the Turks (Hgyptians), the troops of Fashoda, regulars and irregulars, plundered the Arab villages to the east of the Nile, and drove loyal inhabitants into the rebels’ arms. Rauf Pasha now probably saw that it was impossible to quench a fire with oil, so he gave strict orders to the Governor of Fashoda to retire on that town, and to act entirely on the defensive.

In the meantime, the Mahdi had taken up a fortified position in the mountains on the other side of Fashoda, and openly declared his intention of remaining there till the end of the rainy season, and of then marching on Kordofan. His emissaries were sent out in all directions, inviting the people to join his standard, and they found them willing enough to listen, especially those on the Blue Nile, where several solitary Shwrefa (descendants of the Prophet’s family) and Fukaha (priests of a low grade) possessed very considerable settlements and lands. At this time, reinforcements to the number of four thousand men, which Rauf Pasha had very wisely requested, were being mobilised in Heypt. He had not sufficient troops, and did not wish to take the responsibility of using irregulars, or of fighting Sudanese with Sudanese. Unfortunately, the Governor of Fashoda undertook to show what a capable official could do, so a very large expedition, led by him in person, and which was also joined by the chief of the Shiluk, marched with the utmost rapidity against the rebels ; but as the soldiers were permitted no time to rest, nor provided with water or food, they were nearly all destroyed, the leader also paying for his folly with his life.

Although it would have been an easy matter for the Mahdi to have taken Fashoda at once, he refrained from taking any ageressive action, remaining true to his programme. Rauf Pasha was recalled, and the command given into the hands of the Vice-Governor, Giegler Pasha, who commenced at once to arrange a mighty expedition, composed of many regular troops, large numbers of irregulars, Barabra and Danagla, of all kinds and colours; and Yussuf Pasha Hassan, himself an irregular, was placed in command. ‘This man was well known through Gessi Pasha’s reports on his slave-dealing affairs. The troops 25