Page:Suakin, 1885.djvu/47

 idea of the regeneration of Islam by force of arms is amazingly popular. The teachings of the Mahdi may be summed up as follows: universal law, religion, and equality; destruction of all who refuse to believe in his mission, whether they be Christians, Mohammedans, or pagans. The causes of the rebellion have been ascribed to the unjustness and venality of the Egyptian officials, the suppression of the slave-trade, and the military weakness of Egypt

It was noon before we were safely piloted through the treacherous inner reefs, some of which run out only two or three feet below the surface. The channel had been buoyed out by the sailors, and an officer came off to bring our ship in. We eventually made fast to shore half-way up the channel leading to the inner harbour, and right abreast of the English cemetery, which consists of a straight line of about thirty or forty graves, each with a cross at the head, some made of rough pieces of wood, and some of iron. Almost all are ornamented with a border of rough stones round them. This burial-ground is only about thirty yards from the water's edge, and is not at present enclosed in any way. Since we have been here there have been men at work perpetually digging graves at the rate