CHAPTER X.

THE SIEGE AND FALL OF KHARTUM.

Gordon returns to the Sudan--The Siege of Khartum--I join the Mahdi at Rahad--Interviews and first Impressions of the Mahdi--The Oath of Allegiance--Description of the Khalifa--The Arrival of Hussein Pasha--Criticisms on Gordon's Mission--The Abandonment of the Sudan proclaimed--Incidents in Various Parts of the Sudan--The Arrival of Olivier Pain--His Mission, Illness, and Death--Arrival outside Khartum--I write to Gordon--I am arrested and thrown into Chains--Incidents during my Imprisonment--The Surrender of Omdurman--The Delay of the British Expedition--Khartum is attacked and taken--Gordon's Head is brought to me--Account of the last Days of Khartum--Massacres and Atrocities after the Fall--The Retreat of the British Expedition--The Rigours of my Imprisonment increased--My Comrade in Captivity, Frank Lupton--We are both released--I enter the Khalifa's Body-guard--Illness and Death of the Mahdi--Khalifa Abdullahi succeeds him--The Rules and Ordinances of the Mahdi 279