Facsimile · p. 123
Gordon at Work.
of Sir Samuel, and occupy ourselves noTv with Abu-Sud, wlio was called by Colonel Gordon to take an important share in events.
After the departure of Sir Samuel, Abu-Sud had remained in confinement at Cairo, where Colonel Gordon made his acquaintance, and learned hoAv he considered himself calumniated by the European press and the reports of Sir Samuel, which he declared to be without foundation. He offered to take part in the Colonel's expedition, for the sole purpose, as he said, of clearing his name, giving a proof of his fidelity to the Khedive, and contributing to the prosperity of his country. His distinguished manners, his quiet, logical, and refined address, and his grave deportment, would have made any one doubt if this could really be the same person as the one about whom Sir Samuel Baker and the press had been so busy.
The Colonel accepted his co-operation, and Abu-Sud promised to rejoin him in the Soudan. He requested an audience of the Khedive, to whom he promised to aid Colonel Gordon in the suppression of the slave-trade and organization of the country. According to my opinion it was an imprudent act to ally oneself with a man who had the reputation of having been the principal author of all the havoc and plundering which had occurred in the Soudan ; nor ought too much faith to have been placed in his sudden change. But in this country the choice of individuals on whom one can rely is so difficult and arduous, that Gordon maybe excused for the mistake he made.
Towards June Abu-Sud was at Khartoum, from whence he soon proceeded to Gondokoro, on board the Talahmdn. On his arrival at his destination he received marks of the greatest courtesy, and while traversing the country, formerly the theatre of his depredations, was feasted by the mercenaries and ofiicials of the settlements, formerly his dependents.
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