— 74 — rity that I was to return with all speed from Wadai.

I, accordingly, made my way back to El Fasher, much annoyed at such a termination to my conquest of Wadai. I was informed by the Governor that the Sultan of Wadai had sent his Vizier Ahmed Tunka to Egypt by way of Siwa.and had lodged a complaint with His Highness the Khedive, who ordered me to return, but at the same time conferred on me the rank of General with the title of Pasha.

Thus ended my invasion of Dar Wadai, the last of my expeditions that numbered in all over a hundred and twenty. And verily God vouchsafed me the victory in every one of them save three.

In those days Mohammed Pasha attempted to destroy- me with some poison that he had obtained from Stamboul. There was a meeting at which all the merchants were present, and I the chief among them. Now those were the days before the coming of the English, when the fear of death by poison was so great that it was customary for the host to drink first when refreshments were brought. But at this time I was the first to take the coffee, and, no sooner had I swallowed it, than it was as if a hill had hit me on the back of the head. Then I repaired to my home where I lay on the lips of death for forty seven da}s. And, though I was saved from this untimely end the evil effects linger with me yet, and