TURKISH FAITH. 109 The contributions come in very sparingly, and are so small, that they more resemble presents than tribute. Of cows only 300 have been delivered, while Churschid Pascha, and with much less ado about it, got 3,000, and also managed in his two campaigns to pick up some 950 purses. When the wealth of these people in herds and flocks is considered, it is no small piece of daring in them to fancy they can make the Pascha credit that these 300 animals are anything like a tenth ; and he is furious at the return thus made him for his mildness and forbearance, has sharply rebuked all the Sheiks about it, and has summoned Mohammed Din, Sheik Mussa, and the two Sheiks of Mitkenab to appear before him.

All have appeared, though their people, fearing evil, would have prevented their coming in ; but they felt secure, depending on the Amahe already granted by the Pascha to them. But he, like all Turks, faithless in word and deed, had instantly all four made prisoners and laid in irons ; chains are placed on their necks and feet, besides their being chained to each other. When we first beheld in camp, with the white handkerchief (mandilla) round his neck, as sign of submission and pardon, the great Sheik Mohammed Din, we more than suspected that old fox would soon be trapped, have, as hostage for his tribe, to travel to Chartum, and most certainly not die in his own land, like the other chiefs of the island. He may, indeed, then have in his heart laughed at his investment in a robe of purple and red shawl, and fancied he had done well in coming in ; but, in spite of all his cunning, he has fallen into the snare, and his fate is fixed. Could not the old freebooter have been once again as wise as to confide his fortunes to his forests and arms, instead of having, as now, advanced with steady step to certain ruin ? For most surely for long, if not altogether, would the impenetrable and extensive forests have afforded him safe shelter, and there might, indeed, his javelins have dealt death and destruction on our army ; but perchance his policy was to hold the Turks hero, by empty promises and false hopes, till the rainy season, and then to have seen tliem, in this inhospitable and totally over-flooded land, perish, man and beast, from sickness and starvation, aided, if needed, by his tribe's arms. But the Pascha has forestalled his plans.

The day he was put in cliains tlie evening gun was loaded with