476 LETTERS TO DR. SCHWEINFURTH.

letter from Keremallah informing him of the capture of Khartum and the entrance of the Mahdi into the town, where a large number of people are said to have died of starvation.

Keremallah is in Dem Zibér; thousands of Arabs and still larger numbers of Bedouins (Bedwan) from Kordofan are with him; Birinji, Ziber’s old slave, will come shortly with about two thousand men to reinforce the attacking army, and then it will be all up with us. Letters from Keremallah himself were also enclosed, with no news, but with copies of the two proclamations whereby the Mahdi is trying to establish his prophetic mission (setting forth his connexion with God and the Prophet, &c.), and a summons to the Bahr-el-Ghazal and this province to join him. ‘These are remarkably interesting documents, and I will give them to Junker. Slatin and Lupton are said to be in close attendance on the new prophet, and to enjoy great honours ; but if that is true, why does not Lupton write? The same day on which these letters reached Amadi, the station was vigorously attacked, but the Danagla were repulsed and fifty Arabs left dead on the field. Unfortunately, these fellows spring up ike mushrooms.

We must wait and see what happens at Amadi during the next few days. If this affair turns out badly, nothing will be left for us but a retreat to the south, provided we can still accomplish it. There the great chiefs, Anfina, Kabréga, and Mtésa, will readily receive me, and from there communication with Egypt by Zanzibar might be possible.

January 12, 1885.

The apothecary who has just returned from Amadi denies the truth of all that I have narrated above. ‘There are, at most, three hundred men before Amadi, and the letters of the clerk, Osman Hffendi, are intended to mislead us. It may or may not be so: the retreat to the south is decided on.

Junker goes to-morrow morning to Anfina first of all, and is taking my correspondence with him; if I overtake him, I will send you further reports. I have faith in my lucky star. God protect you!—Yours very sincerely, Dr. EMIN-BEY.