496 THE STORY OF THE KHEDIVATE.

was Still in command of a considerable military force, and, what is more important, enjoyed a high prestige, due partly to the loyalty of the Baggara tribe, partly to his hold on the whole Arab population as the representative of Islam; and, above all, to the terror which his name still inspired. He was first heard of at Duem, where he was said to be in dire straits, having, it was reported, only succeeded in retaining the services of a few hundred followers. An expedition was sent with the object of capturing the Khalifa ; but on its arrival at Duem, he was found to have quitted the place, accompanied by * an army numbered by thousands instead of hundreds. It was impossible to follow him ; and during the ensuing twelve months he was heard of at different points, wandering from place to place, and seeking everywhere to raise fresh forces, either by threats or promises. In September, 1899, apparently trustworthy information was obtained to the effect that Abdullah el Taashi had established himself with an army of 10,000 Dervishes at Jeb El Gheddur, a hill some hundred miles distant from Fashoda, in the direction of the Sahara desert. A second expedition, under the command of the Sirdar, only reached Jeb El Gheddur to find the Khalifa had again made good his escape ; and owing to the difficulties of the country and the distance of the Anglo-Egyptian forces from their base of operations, pursuit was again found to be impossible. In November the Intelligence Department of the