1902—1903. 277 During May, 1902, the Sheikh el Senussi sickened, owing, it is said, to his anxiety regarding the situation. He is reported to have died on 30th May, and to have nominated hjs nephew, Ahmed el Sherif, as his successor. The story of his death was not confirmed, and for a long time rumours were rife of his appearance at Kufra, at Jaghbub, etc., with the intention of proclaiming himself a Mahdi, of going to Mecca on pilgrimage, etc., etc. ; the shrine in which he was buried was reported to have been opened, and found empty, and many other stories of his reappearance were told. It seems, however, most probable that he did die on or about the date given, and it is certain that his successor has removed himself and all his property back to Kufra.

In July Ali Dinar reported that Arabi Dafaalla, ex-Derdsh Emir on the Upper Nile, had surrendered to him with Daifur. all his men and .'5,000 rifles, and had received the " Aman."

During the summer the cholera, which had been ravaging Egypt, made its appearance at Haifa, and eight natives (Jholera. died. Owing, however, to the strict surveillance there and at Suakin no further cases occurred in the Sudan.

On the 20th July Major Hunter, Acting Commandant of Bahr el Ghazal, died of blackwater fever.

During the winter of 1902-03 the British garrison of Khartoum was raised from one company, which up to this British time had remained only during the cold weather, to a whole battahon, permanently quartered there. garrison.

Various small raids into the Sudan took place during the years 1900-03 along the Abyssinian frontier, the chief Small disoffenders being Wad Mahmud in the Keili district, and a brigand named Hakos on the border near Gallabat. Appeals turbanres. to the higher Abyssinian authorities produced little result, owing to their want of control over these outlying districts. The end of these two brigands is recorded later.

In Kordofan the restless tribes of the southern hill districts were never at peace, but the inter-tribal disturbances were purely local, and in no way threatened the stability of the Government in these parts.

In the Eastern Sudan the Rasheida slave-traders and the Gemilab tribe threatened at various times to give trouble, 1903. but they have quieted down, and the latter tribe has " come in."

At the end of 1902 Major C. W. Gwynn proceeded, with Major C. E. Wilson, to the further delimitation of the Delimita-Abyssinian frontier. He completed the demarcation from the Setit to just south of Kirin, and returning, vid Kodok, *'°"*-in May, 1903, settled the limits of the new Sudanese leased territory of Itang on the Upper Baro River.

Colonel Hon. M. G. Talbot also met the Italian delegates at Kassala in February, 1903, and together they delimitated the frontier from Abu Gamal to the Setit, opposite the mouth of the Khor Royan, which point now forms the junction of Eritrea, Abyssinia, and the Sudan (vide p. 290).

Colonel Sparkes set out on 13th January on a patrol to Hofrat el Nahas, the famous copper mines in Southern Ba'u' el Darfur. He arrived there on March 1st, and was told that no European had visited it since 1876. The country was *''"'"-totally deserted, and it was evident that if the mines were worked, transport, although perhaps possible on the Bahr el Arab during some parts of the year, would be a matter of great difficulty. Colonel Sparkes returned to Deim Zubeir on 21st March, having marched a distance of 667 miles.

A patrol was meanwhile sent to open up relations with the powerful Azande chief, Yambio. Its commander, Captain Armstrong, was most unfortunately killed by an elephant on the 23rd February, and although the journey was continued by Colour-Sergeant Boardman, R.M.A., the expedition did not meet with success, for on reaching the Nyam Nyam country it was attacked by Yambio' ; son (Mangi), and had to retire, though without loss (except of baggage, etc.).

After continual fighting with Dud Murra, Ahmed El Ghazali was caught (20th March, 1903) in an ambush ; his "''aieyes were put out, and he was kept a captive with the Agid Salamat at Abesher. Wadai now became more or less settled, and trade was reopened to the north and east.

During the past three years negotiations with the Government of the Congo Free State on the subject of the Bahr B"" 1 el Ghazal have been taking place ; up to date, however, they have produced no definite result. negotiations.

in] §t In April, Kur Wad Nedok, Mek of the Shilluks, was deposed for malpractices, and Fadiet Wad Kwad Keir elected Shilluks. in his place.

On the 1st September, 1903, it was reported from El Obeid that a certain Mohammed El Amin, who had recently Konlofan. turned from Mecca and settled in Jebel Tagale, had proclaimed himself Mahdi. Colonel Mahon, C.B., D.S.O., left False >_hartoum at once with a squadron of cavalry, and marching rid the Fachi-Shoya-Sherkeila route su prised and prophet, captured the false prophet at Ageila without fighting. He was conducted to El Obeid, where he was hanged on the September. 27th September.

It having been reported that Mansm Abdel Rahman, a cousin of Sultan Ali Dinar of Darfur, was raiding October, or collecting taxes from people in Kordofan, Captain Carter proceeded with a small force of Camel Corps from El Eddaiya and surprised the party, numbering some 40 rifles and horsemen, at Sherafa, and capture! Mansur, who Subsequently liberated after the restoration of the property he had taken.

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