278 1903—1904.

Nile-Red Sea Railway. Darfur.

Mahnial.

Upper Nile. Thalweg Agreement.

Floods.

Eastern Sudan. Hakos.

Abyssinian Coal Expedition.

1904. Hang.

Ibrahim Wail Mahmud.

BahrEl (ihazal. Lemaire Ex|)edition.

1904. Yambio Patrol.

gudan-Eritrean Frontier.

Work on this railway was commenced in November, 1903.

During the summer of 1903 one or more treasonable conspiracies to seize the throne of Darfur were nipped in the bud by the present Sultan Ali Dinar. Adam Rijal, the Commandant of Jebel El Hella, and Tirab Suleiman, another important general, both suffered the death penalty in consequence. The ex-Dervish Emirs, Zogal and Karamalla Kirkesawi, were also both mysteriously put out of the way.

In December, 1903, at the Sultan's request, the boundaries of Darfur were clearly explained to him in writing. The first Mahmal* to leave Darfur for Mecca since the conquest of that country by Zubeir Pasha in 1873 arrived at Khartoum in November. The value of the " Surra "f was stated to be about iE450. The Mahmal proceeded vid Suakin to Jedda, and returned to Khartoum at the end of June.

A provisional agreement defining the Thalweg of the Nile between N. Lat. 5° and 5° 30' was drawn up on 13th September by Captain R. C. R. Owen, representing the Sudan Government, and the late General Utterwulghe, on behalf of the Government of the Congo Free State.

The winter of 1903-01 will be memorable for the exceptional height of the Nile and its tributaries in the Upper Nile region, consequent on which there followed very extensive floods.

The brigand Hakos, who had caused considerable annoyance by raiding and robbery along the frontier between the Setit and Gallabat, was reported to have been killed on 16th December near Nogara. Had his career not been thus suddenly terminated, the Emperor Menelik had agreed with the Sudan Government to take combined action against him.

An expedition to prospect for coal in the valley of the Goang (Upper Atbara), near Chelga, was despatched by the Sudan Government from Khartoum in December, 1903.

Captain H. H. Wilson left Kodok on the 23rd December, 1903, with merchants to establish a trading station at Itang on the Baro. After making the preliminary arrangements there he visited Ras Tesemma Nado at Gore. His Excellency, the Governor-General, subsequently visited Itang in May, 1901.

In April, 1903, after the dehmitation of the Abyssinian frontier, Ibrahim Wad Mahmud, the notorious slave raider of J. Jerok, was informed that as his village fell within the limits of the Sudan, he must cease raiding and settle down. As Ibrahim, however, in spite of a second letter of warning, continued to raid and openly defied the Government, in February a mixed force of about 800 men (partly irregulars) with two guns was sent under the command of Lieutenant- Colonel Gorringe (Governor, Sennar), to capture him. The expedition was completely successful and Jebel Jerok was surprised ; Ibrahim, who succeeded in escaping, was handed over to Major G. de H. SmithJ by Sheikli Hamed of Asosa on the 3rd of March. He was subsequently brought to Wad Medani, where he was tried and hanged on the 23rd May, 1904.

In October, 1903, a scientific mission hailing from the Congo Free State, under the leadership of the explorer Lemaire, arrived at Mvolo in the south-east Bahr El Ghazal. It withdrew in the following spring, but was again seen in 1905.

On the 27th January a strong patrol, imder the command of Captain P. Wood, left Ton] to visit the Nyam Nyam Sultan Yambio. The object of the patrol was to establish friendly relations with the Nyam Nyam chiefs Riketa, Yambio, and Mangi. On arrival at Riketa's (a son of Yambio, and avowedly friendly), the patrol met with a treacherous and hostile reception. Riketa's village was accordingly destroyed, and the patrol returned to Tonj. Captain H. E. Haymes, R.A.M.C, who was wounded in the head, subsequently died at Tonj on the 15th March.

Yambio is now dead. Owing to his persistent treachery and hostility, a column under Major Boulnois was sent against him, and in a smart action by Major Carter, February 9th, 1905, Yambio and ten of his men were killed.

A provisional agreement regarding a slight rectification of the Sudan-Eritrea frontier near Karora was drafted by representatives of both Governments in January. It has not yet been ratified.

* "Mahmal " means literally "something carried." It is said to have been originated about the 12th Century A.n. liy a certain <ueen of Egypt named Shagar El Durr, of the Ayubite Dynasty, who prepared a very sumptuous litter (hodag), on which she intended to visit Mecca by camel. State affairs, however, prevented her making personal use of the " liodag," which she therefore sent to Mecca with presents of money. This sending of the "hodag" to Mecca gradually became a custom, and was eventually copied in Syria. Nowatlays a Mahnial leaves Cairo and Damascus simultaneously each year, and consists of a richly ornamented dome-shaped "hodag" or litter which is carried on a camel to Mecca and lodged in the "Kaaba" there until the Mahmal returns, when it is taken back again. The richly embroidered curtains, however, are presented to the " Kiuiba" or Mosque.

t Surra means "package" — in this case a package of money ; it is sent partly as a present to the Sherif of Mecca for the maintenance of the " Kaaba" and partly to the Arab Sheikhs along the road, who otherwise would endeavour to loot the Mahmal on its journey.

J Died at Khartoum, October 10th, of blackwater fever.