a mission to the
Abyssinian king, Johannis. Writing home he playfully alludes to a
ridiculous report that was being circulated, that he intended to throw
off allegiance to Egypt, and set up as an independent Sultan, similar
to what the American adventurer, Burgevine, proposed to do in China.
"The Khedive said, after some circumlocution, 'Was I not too friendly
with Johannis?' In fact, the general report in Cairo was that I was
going in for being Sultan; but it would not suit our family. I hope to
finish off Johannis soon, and then to come home." There seem to have
been some other evil reports circulated at this time about Colonel
Gordon, for he says again in his humorous manner: "I wrote to the
secretary of the Foreign Office man, who is a friend of mine, asking
him to tell his chief, who is of the council, 'That if, on my return, I
hear any of the Council of Ministers have said anything against me, I
will beg the Khedive to make the evil speaker Governor-General of the
Soudan,' which is equivalent to a sentence of death to these Cairo
Pashas."

Though he was sick in body his brave spirit showed no signs of yielding
as long as there was duty to be done, and off he went to Abyssinia. On
September 2nd, 1879, he writes:--

"The heat is terrible, but I am quiet and that is a great thing. I
fear, through this Abyssinian affair, I shall have to wend my weary
way to Senheit; however, God knows what is best for me. I would
sooner have come home straight, but I had it not in my heart to
forsake Tewfik till this affair is finished. I have begun to be
very tired of the continual wear and tear of my last six years.
However, I cannot think of leaving Egypt exposed to her enemies."

On September 12th he writes, when _en route_ to meet Aloula, the
Abyssinian commander-in-chief:--

"We have met a caravan coming from Aloula's. They confirm the news
that Walad el Michael and all his officers are prisoners, by orders
sent to Aloula by King Johannis, and Metfin [Walad el Michael's
son, whom Gordon disliked very much] is dead--killed by some one. I
heard just as I left Massowah that Abdulgassin--the last of the
leaders of Zebehr's slave-dealers--had been taken, and I ordered
him to be shot.[9] Thus gaps, one by one, are made in my prayers
for my enemies."

[9] This man had started his career by a cold-blooded murder.
When he first set up his standard of revolt, t