The Conquest of the Shilluks.

The capital of tlie Sultan of the Shilluks was Kaka, a place occupying an immense extent of land. There was also a royal guard, consisting of ten thousand men armed with lances, who dwelt around the seat of the Sultan, and served to keep the interior of the countrjr quiet.

A certain Mohamed Her of Khartoum traded at Kara with the Shilluks, and in consequence formed many connections, so that he succeeded in establishing himself at Fashoda. Little by little, other Arabs, dealing in the articles above-mentioned, joined him. Mohamed Her had also managed to gain for himself the esteem and goodwill of the Sultan ; he enjoyed exceptional protection by serving as mediator and justice of peace in the differences which occurred between the Shilluks and Arabs. Meanwhile commerce prospered and was extended every year. Mohamed Her could not however control his ambition., and began to weave intrigues even at the court of the Sultan, wishing to become himself dictator of the country. The Sultan found that the conduct of Mohamed Her became more insupportable every day, so that he turned him out of his dominions. Mohamed Her swore to revenge himself and Avent to Khartoum. Endowed with a certain natural intelligence and ready speech, he presented himself to the Grovernor of Khartoum, Mussa Pasha, telling him of the immense riches owned by the Shilluks, and that the government could easily take possession of their wide lands. Mohamed Her, who knew the places and the Sultan's forces, was able Avith a few Avords to persuade the Governor, Mussa Pasha, to take possession of the country, and the latter desired nothing better, it being his dream to aggrandize the Soudan. Mohamed Her asked nothing of the GrOvernor except a steamboat and some ammunition ; he would see to all the rest.

It was scarcely rumoured in Khartoum that