CONTENTS xi

CHAPTER XVII

A NEW OCCUPATION

PAGES

Nahoum Abbajee engages me — Emptiness of the treasury — Unsatis-

factory state of the currency— I am transferred to the arsenal — 1 design blocks for the Mint — We do great damage — The Khaleefa's buried treasure 209-2 1 5 CHAPTER XVIII

MY SECOND IMPRISONMENT

Idris a reformed character — He ensures my kind treatment — Fauzi's

first night in prison — Kadi Ahmed's captivity — His death by starvation — Death of Wad Zarah — Letters from Europe — My replies — My reflections in prison 216-225

CHAPTER XIX

RUMOURS OF RELIEF

Khartoum again— Thoughts of Gordon— At work in the arsenal-

Extracting precious metals — Chemical experiments — The troops advancing — I invent a powder-mill — Its manifold defects — I scheme to gain time — Wholesale destruction of metal — Repair-

ing a steamer — My letter to Onoor — In a fever for news . 226-241

CHAPTER XX

PREPARING TO RECEIVE THE GUNBOATS

In the Saier as a visitor — I send intelligence to the English — Anxiety

amongst my circle — Embassy from Abyssinia — The Khaleefa's reply — Mahmoud disobeys orders — Defeat of Osman and

Mahmoud at the Atbara — Manufacture of torpedoes — I decline to assist — My chains redoubled — The torpedoes explode — I become a centre for Government sympathizers — Frustrating the mines 242-256

CHAPTER XXI

NEARING THE END

Conflicting rumours — Appeals to prophecy — I suggest a night attack

— I send more information to the army — Mad struggle with a gaoler — Negotiations with Idris — The Khaleefa sallies out — The gunboats open fire — I go mad — Arrival of fugitives — The riderless horse — The Khaleefa's despair .... 257-268