Khalifa, A.D. 1886—1887. 251 Meanwhile the Mahdi had died of typhus fever on the 22nd June. On proclaiming himself Mahdi he had Death of the nominated four Khalifas to succeed him in order, and had also sketched out a broad plan for the invasion of Egypt. Mf'**"' The first of the Khalifas, Abdalla Ibn el Sayid Hamadalla el Taaishi, a Baggara of the Taaisha tribe (as his Klialifas. name implies), succeeded the Mahdi, and consolidated his position by tyranny, cunning, and crime.

TYPES OF SUDANESE SOLDIERS — THE FINISHED ARTICLE.

The .second Khalifa, Ali wad Helu, was a Sheikh of the Degheim and Kenana Arabs.* He was fanatical and religious, but his quarrels with Abdalla did not dispose him in his favour.

The third Khalifaship, which was offered to and refused by the Sheikh el Senussi, was filledt by one Adam wad el Wazir, but appears to have lapsed. The fourth Khalifa was Mohammed el Sherif, son-in-law of the Mahdi. His men * Originiilly from SeTinar ; liorHe-bieediug tribes. • tj i \ t The third Khalifa was never actually appoiuted and the Khalifasliip always remained vacant (Slatiii Pasha).

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