286 Seven Years in the Soudan.

I felt very sorry for these soldiers, but though J admired their pluck T was obliged to order the firing to be continued against those who obstinately refused to surrender.

As may be imagined, the struggle was short. I then searched the field of battle for Sultan Idris, whom I imagined had fallen, but I could not find him either among the wounded or the dead. Some prisoners whom I questioned explained the circumstance. On the march to rejoin Rabi, Idris had kept in the rear with his women and his court.

When the storm began he had taken his harem under a great tamarind-tree, and was waiting until the rain ceased when he heard the guns, understood that he had fallen into an ambush, and fled precipitously in the opposite direction.

I was much vexed, for the capture of this chief was of great importance to the pacification of the rebel provinces ; but I was obliged to make hoime mine a inanrais jeu, and content m'self with the victory obtained with so little, or rather no loss on our side.

Our war booty consisted of a large quantity of calico, very many copper drums, tents, provisions, ammunition, cattle, horses, asses, saddles, harness, and all the treasure of Sultan Idris and the jewels of his women. Among the numerous ])risoners we found many chiefs, while some hundreds of slaves were liberated.

Among the chiefs who fell fighting was Taialla's brother, who afterwards succumbed to his wounds near the torrent Huri, when we captured Suleiman.

This day's victory recompensed us for the fatigues endured for so many da's. We had destroyed two powerful rebel bands, taken all their ammunition and provisions, which, thanks to Heaven, were abundant, and which Ave sorely needed, and the soldiers were enriched by bales of cotton carpets, and a thousand other articles of great value to them