CONTENTS xi CHAPTER XVII A NEW OCCUPATION PAGES Nahoum Abbajee engages me — Emptiness of the treasury — Unsatisfactory 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 — Repairing 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