Abdullahi, who was still much preoccupied with the revolt,
came round to my opinion, and after admonishing me to
remain perfectly loyal, he dismissed me.
In spite of all Abdullalii's promises to the Ashraf, he soon
found a pretext for seizing thirteen of the ringleaders, as
well as the two uncles of the Mahdi, and these he shipped
off in a boat to Fashoda, consigned to his faithful Emit
Zeki TummaJ, who had been previously sent there to quell
a revolt of the Sbilluks. On their arrival Zeki Tummal
had tbem closely confined for eight days in a zariba with
scarcely any food or water, giving them only just sufBcient
to keep them alive; then, in accordance with the secret
instructions he had received, he had them beaten to death
with freshly-cut sticks from thorny trees. The execution
took place in front of the whole army, and before this cruel
operation began, their clothing was ruthlessly torn from
their emaciated bodies.
Zeki Tummal row returned to Omdurman laden with
booty ; he brought with him thousands of female slaves,
and immense herds of cattle, the sale of which brought in a
targe sum of ready money. Most of Zeki's Emirs indig-
nantly complained of his tyranny, and even asserted to the
Khalifa that, if be could obtain sufficient followers, he would
not hesitate to make himself independent ; but the latter,
by making rich presents of female slaves, money, and cattle
to the Khalifa and bis brother, succeeded in remaining in
their good graces.
