ed
out, Gordon, coming from the rear of the troops, passed rapidly
through the lines, riding at a smart trot, and, saluting the
troops right and left, reached the fort. The suddenness of
Gordon's arrival left the leaders no time to make their plans.
They therefore ordered the general salute; but even before the
thunder of the guns was heard, Gordon had already sent orders to
Suleiman and his chiefs to appear instantly before him.... Thus
had Gordon, by his amazing rapidity and quick grasp of the
situation, arrived in two days at the settlement of a question
which literally bristled with dangers and difficulties. Had
Suleiman offered resistance at a time when Darfour was in a
disturbed state, Gordon's position and the maintenance of
Egyptian authority in these districts would have been precarious
in the extreme."

What Gordon's own opinion of this affair was is revealed in the
following extremely characteristic letter written to one of those
anti-slavery enthusiasts, who seemed to think that the whole
difficulty could be settled by a proclamation or two, and a rigid
enforcement of a strict law sentencing every one connected with the
slave trade without discrimination to death:--

"There are some 6000 more slave-dealers in the interior who will
obey me now they have heard that Zebehr's son and the other
chiefs have given in. You can imagine what a difficulty there is
in dealing with all these armed men. I have separated them here
and there, and in course of time will rid myself of the mass.
Would you shoot them all? Have they no rights? Are they not to be
considered? Had the planters no rights? Did not our Government
once allow slave-trading? Do you know that cargoes of slaves came
into Bristol Harbour in the time of our fathers? I would have
given L500 to have had you and the Anti-Slavery Society in Dara
during the three days of doubt whether the slave-dealers would
fight or not. A bad fort, a coward garrison, and not one who did
not tremble--on the other side a strong, determined set of men
accustomed to war, good shots, with two field-pieces. I would
have liked to hear what you would all have said then. I do not
say this in brag, for God knows what my anxiety was."

The drama, of which the first act took place in Suleiman's camp
outside Dara, was not then ended. Gordo