Page:A Prisoner of the Khaleefa.djvu/203

Rh After my remarks anent the reliable unreliability of every one in the Soudan, the deceptions practised one against the other, and the absolute necessity for secrecy, it will naturally be wondered that I entrusted my secret to so many, if secret it could be called when so many knew of it. The explanation is simple. I knew the people I had to deal with, and have you noticed the seemingly insignificant fact that I borrowed money from each of the people I employed? Later in my narrative I will explain these peculiar transactions.

While these different messengers are on their journeys, being "held up" at one place or the other, and at others pretending that they were gradually working their way to Berber or Dongola for trade, I relate what is happening in Omdurman.

News filtered through that the "faithful" had won a great victory over the English at Suakin; but as the Saier filled with prisoners who were present at the fight, and who gave different versions to that ordained by Abdullahi — hence their imprisonment — we learned the truth. The "faithful" had received a severe defeat. Soon after this, the army sent against Abyssinia won its great victory over the forces led by King John, and the fortunes of the Beit-el-Mai took a turn for the better from the proceeds of the sale of slaves and the loot brought in. Adlan was coming into favour again, but Abdullahi was too much occupied in goading on Nejoumi to attack Egypt to give any attention to the decoration of the Mahdi's tomb or the extension of trade. He was still less inclined to give