EMIN-BEY’S AMBASSADORS. 467 There are always rumours abroad in excited and turbulent times; we hear tales and reports of occurrences in Kordofan and on the Bahr-el-Ghazal, though no one can tell how they have arisen. Letters from Keremallah to his countrymen informed us that Lupton had actually left, and that he (Keremallah) intended, to go to Kordofan also, but there was no ‘other news. We were therefore the more surprised when, soon after, a rumour was circulated here that Gordon Pasha had entered Khartum with a large army, elephants, and steamers, and, moreover, accompanied by a Sherif from Mecca. Presently letters arrived from Makraka and Ayak, in which the same reports were alluded to, and in one of them it was asserted that a corps of twelve thousand rebels had been ~ repulsed before Khartum, and two or three traitors hanged, one of them being Lupton’s coadjutor, Satti Effendi, a faithless scoundrel even for a Dongolaui, who had betrayed the Bahrel-Ghazal province, and then got off safely to Khartum. It is certainly singular that this rumour should reach us from three different directions. But the letters from Ayak contained more important news and of greater consequence to us. The members of the mission which was sent off from here had fallen out soon after their departure, and the Kadi, who had here assumed the character of saviour of his province, did not shrink from declaring openly before the soldiers and Danagla in Aydk that he was only going to the Bahr-el-Ghazal to fetch the necessary troops, when he would return, and after having hanged me, would have the officers and officials beheaded ; we were one and all infidels, and deserved death. The schoolmaster was his sturdy supporter in these harangues, while the other three members were ashamed of the proceedings, and remonstrated. From words they came to blows, and finally the Kadi and the schoolmaster got the worst of it, and were sent back to Lad6, where, however, they have not yet arrived, while the other three members of the mission continued their journey through Sabi. I will refrain from commenting on this story; it will show you what sort of men I am obliged to work with.

_ Meanwhile the troops have arrived in detachments from the south. Much to my sorrow, I have had to give up all but the