314 Seven Years in the Soudan.

tell you how much water I swallowed. I was swollen like a full wine skin, and yet felt the necessity of drinking more.

His Excellency Gordon Pasha was now at about three fjuarters of an hour's distance from the village. They pointed out his tent erected on an eminence that overlooked the place.

We started again, and after a while T saw a young Neapolitan named Alfieri, who accompanied Messedaglia to Darfour in the capacity of doctor, coming to meet me. He led me to the tent of Signor Rigolet, who, like Messedaglia, had been employed for a sliort time as (lovernor of Darra. When His Excellency Gordon Pasha was informed of my arrival he came to meet me and received me with his usual amiability. We talked for some hours, telling each other our adventures and facts concerning the war.

Gordon had been at Tuesha for about fifteen days, employed in driving away the Jelabba who had taken refuge there after being chased from Shakka and Kalaka. Six hundred slaves in their possession had been liberated, and the Jelabba had received a lesson which they will not forget for some time.

Both Alfieri and Signor Rigolet were obliged, after a certain time, to resign, because of their bad state of health.

The evening was, of course, employed in discussing the means and mode of capturing Suleiman, who still held the field with a nucleus of faithful followers, and Avas still able to carry desolation into the countries he traversed.

Considering the bad season now at its worst, it was very difficult to pursue him, but I promised Gordon that I would do my best. In order to aid me as much as possible. His Excellency ordered the military authorities of Darra to put at my disposal everything I might require, and the next day, while Gordon returned to Khartoum by way of Fasher, I returned to Darra to make my preparations.