CHAPTER IV.

THE KHALIFA'S PERSONAL ACCOUNT OF THE RISE OF THE MAHDI.

Early Life of Mohammed Ahmed, the Mahdi--The Religious Tarikas--Mohammed Ahmed quarrels with his Religious Superior--He is refused Forgiveness, and joins a Rival Sheikh--He is joined by Abdullahi et Taaishi--The Mahdi secretly tells Abdullahi of his Divine Mission--The Failure to seize Mohammed Ahmed on Abba Island--The Mahdi's Hejra to Jebel Gedir--He nominates his Khalifas--The Defeat of Rashed Bey and Yusef Pasha Shellali--Effect of the Mahdi's Victories in Kordofan--The Mahdi's Intrigues with the Inhabitants of El Obeid--Futility of the Steps taken by the Government to cope with the Revolt 122