244 Seven Years in the Sotidan.

CHAPTER XXIX.

THE rtATTLE OP DEM IDKIS.

Suleiman continues to advance — Battle of Dem IJris — Heroism — Conquest — Ten flags, &c. — Four thousand dead — News of the victory runs throufrh all the Soudan — Heroic act of Gordon — England feared — Desertions in Suleiman's camp.

When Suleiman's four relations arrived in the enemy's camp, they, instead of keeping their promise, entered his army, and advised him to resist. The Sub-Governor, Ziber Adlau, possessed, at a day and a half's journey's distance from Dem Idris, an establishment with a thousand armed men. I had hoped that this Ziber Adlau, as an oflScer of the Government, would have come with his people to my assistance, and no sooner did I arrive at Dem Idris than I wrote to beg him not to lose a moment's time in hastening to me with his troops ; but two days passed without a reply. On the third day he let me know that he was gathering all his people together and would arrive shortly.

Suleiman did not move from his Dem, perhaps expecting our attack. The sheikh whom I had met near Wau came to me with his seven sons, all young and strong, and ardent elephant hunters. "I have brought you all my children," said the old man.

" We have no arms, because they were taken from us, but you will procure us some to fight that dog of a Suleiman. My children will die in the good cause."