The Battle of Dem Idris.

of that country. The Khedive, iu order to obtain the friendship of the now powerful Ziber, sought, by conferring honours and the title of Pasha upon him, to gain him completely for his cause.

Ziber was now at the height of his glory, but, as the French proverb says : " Vous avez beau nourrir les loups, iis regarderont toujours du cote de la forete." Shortly after the arrival of Gordon in the Soudan a revolt broke out m Darfour which Avas secretly encouraged by Suleiman, Ziber's son. The scanty Government troops were obliged to retreat on the fortified position of El-Fasher. Suleiman appeared with six thousand men, but before he could commence operations, which would certainly have gone against the Government, the latter had succeeded in alla'ing the revolt. However, it was a very critical position, and Gordon, whose courage and coolness are well known, accompanied by only four aides-de-camp, and in full uniform, galloped from the outposts to Suleiman's camp, and presenting himself to the rebels, spoke as follows : — " If you wish for war, Ave are ready to tight. If you wish for peace, go back to your ])ossessions. I leave you the choice until tomorrow." This unexpected apparition had a great influence on the half-savage and irresolute chief, and he and all his officers Avere so astonished at Gordon's proceeding, that they belieAed he Avas a supernatural being.

At night, lioAveA'er, they held a council, and it was decided that, as soon as Gordon appeared next da} to receiAe an answer eAeryone should fire at him. But one of the chiefs named Xuer Anger, opposed this decision, pointing out that if they dared to do such a thing they Avould be incAatably lost, because not only Egypt would take up arms, but England Avould surely avenge her countryman's death.