324 Seven Years in the Soudan.

liaving allowed himself to be captured by about two hundred men, when he had more than eight hundred at his disposal, not counting the two hundred Arabs who had fled, and Abdulgassim's troops, who were not far distant. Suleiman's troop was composed of Arabs and Besingers, who were his best men, having fought under him from the very beginning of hostilities.

The slaves, although a great number had been sold, and many had died or were dying, numbered eight hundred and ten. Among our prisoners I found a lieutenant of the regular troops who had been made prisoner at Dem Idris during the first battle. This officer, who was named Lemin, reported to me as follows.