269 CHAPTEE XXXI.

AFTER THE VICTORY.

M}- critical position — "Want of food and ammunition — No assistance — Gordon's letter — Keinforcements to the rebels — Shoikh Fango of Delgauna — Victory over the Jelabbas — I summon Suleiman to surrender — His refusal — Attack of Suleiman's residence — Stupendous tropical scenery — Hidden elephant tusks — Ascent of Mount Serago — No enemy — We scatter to eat and explore — Smoked antelopes' flesh — Attack and taking of Fangala — Poor blacks ! — Liberated slaves — Our advanced march — Fusilade — Victims revenged.

The natives of Dem Gugio, a settlement to the south-west of my encampment, also rebelled against the Jelabba ; but the latter immediately advised Suleiman of the danger they ran, and he sent to them Sangiak Abdulgassim with three hundred men.

I finally decided to send a faithful servant to Shakka to tell Mustafa Bey of my critical position. This Bey had never ceased to promise that some day he would come to my assistance, but he had never done so. My messenger was a young Arab called Saati Effendi, the only one in Avhose fidelity I had implicit confidence. I wrote to Mustafa Bey that I desired nothing from him but ammunition. Three days after Saati Effendi had left, there arrived a post from Meshra-el-Rek, bringing me, besides letters, the good news of the approaching arrival of three steamers Avith goods, ammunition, etc. You can well imagine our delight. It was three months since T had had letters from my family, or my friends at