AMADI THREATENED. 473 had ever thought of this route, letters and news might have reached us long ago. ‘They appear to have given us up a long time ago, and not to think it even worth while to try to put themselves in communication with us. The Danagla on the Bahr-el-Ghazal are much more zealous, for they, from Christian —pardon! Mohammedan charity, are bent on freeing us from the unbelieving Negroes and bringing us to the light of the truth.

Should I at any time be able to send you one of the inflammatory letters which the so-called Emir Keremallah thinks good to send us from time to time, you will be astonished at the mixture of fanaticism, lies, and stupidity which are harmoniously blended together in them. He has kept away from — the seat of war at present, and contents himself with writing and threatening to appear. The combined troops of Sayadin (that is, our rebels) and those from Sabi and Jur Ghattas have, however, marched at his command against our station Amadi, under the personal leadership of Abdullahi Abd-es-Samat and Tahir Aga, accompanied by a very large number of Dragomans and basinger, all armed with Remingtons. The station has been attacked three times up till now, and three times the assailants have been repulsed, and unless they bring cannon or rocket batteries from Dem Soliman, the task may prove too much for them at last. At present we have only to complain of one man wounded. ‘The scoundrels cannot even shoot. I have had no news from Makraka for some days, but I hope that everything is going on well. The Negroes, and especially the Bombé of Makraka, have hitherto shown themselves faithful confederates, so I am already richly rewarded for the better treatment which I have always striven to obtain for them. Signor Casati is now staying in Makraka, for I requested him to leave Monbuttu at the outbreak of hostilities, as that country is too far removed. He thinks of remaining where he is-for the present, and kindly aiding my men with his advice. Dr. Junker is here, and shares our joys and sorrows. His collections are lying in my house, well packed up—will they ever reach Europe? We get along as best we may. We have food, that is, white durrah, meat, and also vegetables ; occasionally fruits also. Instead of sugar there is