— 34 — things requisite in the way of food and drink and, after that I had made peace between them, we started for the west. Ere many days had passed I departed from them, and went ahead to prepare a place for them, Billali, however, stopped at the zeriba of Ali Amuri, five days journey from Deim Zubeir, and it was here that I heard that Kutchuk Ali had died on the road, it was said a natural death, though I think myself that he was poisoned by Billali.

As soon as Billali had arrived at the zeriba where 1 had made preparations for his reception, he summoned all the heads of the neighbouring stockades, Bisselli,Aghad, Omar Agha, Abu Zeid Agha,Ghattas Wad abu Summat and others. Now Billali had taken possession of the arms and the merchandise of Kutchuk Ali, and announced that he was desirous of confiscating them in the name of the Government.

He then asked the heads of the zeribas to give up their property to the Government, but they replied that they must first consult their partners and masters in Khartoum.

Then did certain of the merchants, in the fondness of their hearts, deliver up their goods to Billali, but the rest hearkened not to his counsels, and asked whether I too was to be subject to his dominion. And Billali answered them, and said that so it would be: whereupon the merchants