348 Sei'en Years in the Soudan.

campaign against Suleiman ended — T could dispose of about four thousand soldiers — tlian all the chiefs expressed a wish to attack Mdarama, to revenge themselves for his having killed in various combats some thousand Arabs and perhaps five times as many Besingers and porters. But I did not listen to their desires. I felt more inclined to fight those who had revolted than Mdarama, who, by killing so many Arabs, had rendered a great service to humanity.

" By means of a faithful negro Sangiak, named Raffai, I opened secret negotiations with Idarama, assuring him that I would not molest him. All news in Africa, spite of the want of post and telegraph, is swiftly propagated to the most distant regions. Mdarama was aware of all that had happened in the district under m}' jurisdiction, and he sent me salutations through Raffai, with a gift of sixty large elephant tusks, asking me to send him a seal, that he might seal and forward some letters which he had got a friend of Raffai to write. I did what he wished, sending besides a sword and some cloth and beads.

" When Mdarama received these presents, he let me know that he meant to come in person to make mv acquaintance and see the man who had annihilated Suleiman and his troops, and had done so much good to -the persecuted natives.

" About a month ago news came to Dem Suleiman that a great Sandeh chief was on his way with a numerous suite. I gave orders that he should be received with due honour, and festive preparations were made. Mdarama soon arrived. He is a man about thirty-five years of age, more than six feet high, well proportioned, with broad shoulders, intelligent expression and a perpetual smile. He examined our Remington rifles, the cannon, and the depots of ammunition and cloths with the greatest curiosity. He then presented me with forty large tusks. I gave orders that he should choose some