RETREAT. — OMAR KASCHEF. 253 rushed one after the other to the Pascha's feet, praying that this day no blood might be shed, as it was Chumna, a holy day or festival. This great Kadi is a hypocritical but intelligent Mograbin, drinks stoutly his wine in private, especially when he -gets it for nothing, and, as I afterwards learnt from my brother, during Raniazan, when even the jwor half-starved soldiers fasted, openly set them the fine example of eating and drinking before liis tent, nor allowed himself to lye annoyed by the displeasure of the other holy Sheiks, who during that period abstained from all food or indulgences. The Sheik of the Bischari, Wod-!Naga, who, as well as the other Sheiks, have no wish to see the complete subjection of the Iladdenda, has disappeared with his people from the Ciimp to arrange with them a secret treaty, to which the Pascha has in private given his consent. The latter, who did not, nor dared not, trust to this, has during the negotiation caused the great Sheik Molianuned Din, liis nephew, and the Sheik of Mitkenab, to be placed on camels, loaded as they were with the chains they all along had worn, and conveyed back to Chartum under a strong escort. In .spite of the negotiations going on for a peace, many expeditions were made from tlie camp, but without any success, as the herds that were here and there seized on, at the fearful howls of the Arabs were scattered in all diivctions, upsetting infantry and cavalry, and rushing back into the forest to J:heir fellows. The iladdenda declared themselves defeated by a deputation of a Sheik and three of themselves, but they would pay no tulba, unless the Pascha retired to the K.issela. The retreat to Kassela was made in a single day. Thirty men ])erished from fatigue, and 370 asses, and many horses and camels. Among the wounded was Omar Kaschef, to whom the Pascha paid i-veiy attention, and specially recommended him to my brotlier's care. His horse had been killed under him by a lance-thrust, and he liad received six deep wounds in the neck from the ilamlschar. The ])oor man had the night before lost an amulet, and all, even the freethinking Sali Eliendi, are lirndy convinced that some evil spirit had during the niglit stolen it, so to ett'ect his death. My l)r()ther who, after the Paseha had marchrd off with the great i)art of the troops, had been left behind witli the sick, has coujpletely cured the Kaselief. From this and the cure of the three Mo-