2 66 Seven Years in the Soudan.

Suleiman flying from his Dem, and abandoned by many of his chiefs and adherents, finalh' arrived at a place of safety with only a thousand men. Sure that he would not dare to attack me again, I sent two-thirds of my men to Bisellia, Vau and Kutzuk Ali to forage for provisions, remaining mj'self at Dem Idris with only a thousand soldiers.

The news of Suleiman's defeat ran like lightning all through Bahr-el-Ghazal. It extorted a cry of despair from the slave traders, who felt their ruin was imminent. They all joined in trying to procure reinforcements for Suleiman, even the Feki preached a crusade against the Government. It was therefore necessary for me to prepare for fresh difficulties and new battles. I therefore decided to invade and conquer the slavers' villages before they could render assistance to Suleiman.

March 20th. — I proceeded to Dem-el-Arbab and arrested Suleiman's principal recruiters, Avhom I took to Idris.

March 22iid. — I started for Dem Bekir, a nest of rascals. I was only about two thousand feet awa}' at sunrise of the third day when a gun went off by accident and gave the alarm. The Jelabba, thinkinsf we Avere few in number, came to the attack with flying banners and fired a volley, but they were soon set to flight, leaving more than fifty wounded in the field.

Their village was destroyed, and in order to get at the fugitives, I sent for the sheikhs and gave them orders to kill whatever Jelabba fell into their hands. Two days after one of my most trusted sheikhs, named Calliongo, came by night to my habitation and asked to see me. I ordered him to be admitted, and he told me that three sheikhs of Dem Bekir desired to see me and were Avaitiug at half an hour's distance. Accompanied by two soldiers, I repaired to the spot, and perceived the sheikhs, followed by many men carrying baskets, Avhich, as they seemed well filled.