76 Seven Years in the Soudan.

an abundance of fowls, a cow, and some pigeons. I had a little garden of flower seeds I had brought with me, and was already busy constructing an arbour of creepers against the trunk of a large old tree, when, just as I least expected it, fate decided differently for me. On August loth I was told that a steamer, directed to Gaba-Shambe, was in sight. I Avent on the dahabia of Hassan Ibrahim, and ])erceiyed a large flag on the nuist at the jirow ; it was therefore undoubtedly the Commander-in-chief. As soon as the steamer anchored I Avent on board, where the Commander received me with his habitual courtesy.

After a multitude of questions about poor Anson's death, I learnt that he was the Commander's nephew. The latter showed himself deeply grieved b}' the event, and asked me about my journey.

" Prepare everything," said Gordon to me, " and come with me to Gondokoro. I cannot leave you here alone without any aid. If you fall ill, you are Avithout a doctor or a friend."

1 said a few words to assure him that I Avas contented with my position, but knoAving that it was not easy to alter his determination, it only remained for me to obey. With the aid of Haggi 1 collected my things and the proAisions, and that evening was installed on board. The crew had gone to gather wood, but Avere obliged to suspend their Avork at night because several men had been stung by scorpions. At noon next day the Talaliaiiiii was put in motion for Gondokoro, Avhile 1 gazed, for the last time, at my little station, and the road which was to haAe led me to the graAe of poor Miani. The Talahanin was a steamer which made its ten knots an hour. We only employed two days therefore in reaching Bohr, the station planted by Agat of Khartoum. From the time that Colonel Gordon had assumed the command of the province, he had established the centre of authority here ; the garrison