Ziber's Conspiracy. 305 that was sent to take part in the Avar of Turkey against Russia, but the corps to which he belonged remained a simple spectator of the struggle while occupying the fortress of Varna. Ziber lost no time, and had interviews with influential persons in Constantinople, attempting intrigues, in Avhich, however, he did not succeed. All his efforts in Turkey were fruitless, and he returned to Egypt, Avhence by means of his secret postal-service, he could correspond with his son Suleiman.

Before leaving his Dem to go to Cairo, Ziber had had a presentiment that he would be detained in Lower Egypt, and two hours before taking leave of his followers, he gathered them together under a large tamarind tree to give them his last orders in case he never returned ; orders which they promised to execute. When his son Suleiman perceived that his father had fallen into a trap, he immediately began to show an evil disposition towards the Government.

The council and appointments he received from Grordon availed nothing ; he abandoned the purchase of ivory, and for two consecutive years even refused to pay tribute to the Government, and began to govern his own country like an independent prince.

Egypt kept in the Bahr-el-Ghazal a governor and about two coinpanies of regular troops, with two cannon and seven hundred men of the irregular troops. These troops, obeying Gordon's orders, did not molest Suleiman, but rather avoided every cause of dispute ; when, one day, without the least provocation, Suleiman, followed by about four thousand men, fell upon the seriba of Dem Idris and massacred all the garrison down to the very babes. He then devastated the vast province, putting everything to fire and sword, destroying and massacring the natives who were faithful to the Government, sacking all the Government magazines and depots X