354 Seven Years in the Soudan.

more to do tliun take possession of the last fortification of Dem Suleiman and rid the country of the fugitives, T was informed that negociations for peace had been secretly commenced by Yussuf Be3\ At the verybeginning'/fearingthat their regular troops might some day join the relDels, I surrounded Dem Ibris Avith a strong palisade under pretenceof precautionary measures, and, taking possession of all the ammunition, Avhich I placed under the custody of the regular troops, I calmly awaited events, and decided, on the first desertion, to fire on my own irregular soldiers.

Seditious words were spoken, and one evening, Yussuf, surrounded by his followers, made a little speech which I translate : ' This war,' he said, ' is not waged against Suleiman, but against ourselves.

AVhen the war is ended, slavery will end. AVho will then guide our boats ? AYho will cultivate our fields ?

Who Avill prepare our Idiihra (bread) ? ' " The next daj in order to counterbalance the conspiracy, I called all my people to arms, praised their conduct, and told them that, as a reward for their courage and fidelity, I would divide amongst them all the money, goods, and slaves belonging to Suleiman, promising them besides a present of two days' pay to each soldier and to all the chiefs. In proof of the sincerity of my sentiments towards them I divided among them forty bullocks, which T had received a few days previously. The effect produced by this gift surpassed my expectations, and the soldiers Avaited impatiently for the day of departure. After the taking of Dem Suleiman and various partial conflicts with the rebels, I ordered Yussuf Bey to reenter Rolil, not requiring his services any longer. He immediately left for Rohl, but when night fell he changed his route and went via Shakka to Darfour. He met His Excellency Gordon Pasha, who was returning from an expedition near Kubei, AAdiere he had destro3ed some establishments in which gunpowder was manufactured for the rebel Haroun. From that