248 Seven Years in the Soudan.

all the countries from whicli he received ivory, ])ut himself into open opposition to superior orders.

When invited to appear before the Governor to account for his conduct, he not only refused to do so, but threatened to resort to arms should any attempt be made to invade the territory he occupied. Hillali then added to his army all the people he could gather together from the seribe, and marched against Ziber, who, advised in time, lay in ambush, and the unfortunate Governor, treacherously attacked from all sides, was completely beaten. Hillali, Avith two companions, succeeded in escaping the general massacre at Dem Gugio, but after two days Ziber's Besingers overtook and killed him, carrying his head to Ziber.

From this time no other troops were sent to avenge the fallen soldiers. Ziber, thanks to considerable sums profusely lavished on persons of higli position in the Soudan, succeeded in deceiving the good faith of the Viceroy, and, by depicting things in his own favour, was not only not punished, but Avas made a Bey and nominated Governor of Shakka.

From this moment Ziber Avas looked upon as iuAincible, and there flocked to him from every part, relations, friends, and all the bad subjects to be found in the Soudan.

Such a state of things lasted until the arriA'al of Gordon Pasha. When Ziber perceiAed that the General was taking seA'ere measures against the slaAe trade, the principal source of his immense fortune, and also that the road to the Sobat was closed against him, he began to make Avar against Darfour, and finalh' took possession of that district.

The GoAernment was then also forced to take up arms, but as Ziber declared that he had conquered the district for the Egyptian Government, Darfour, and the capital El-Fasher, were occupied by the Viceregal troops, CAen before the death of the king