CHAPTER IX.

THE FALL OF DARFUR.

Dara besieged by Madibbo--I make a Successful Counter-Attack--The Overthrow of Darho--I decide to remain at Dara--The Defeat of Kuku Agha--A Strange Expedient for concealing Letters--An Armistice proposed and accepted between Myself and the Besiegers--I resort to Stratagem to gain Time--Zogal writes from El Obeid, and describes the Annihilation of the Relief Expedition--I review the Situation and decide to surrender--Interview with Zogal at Shieria--The Mahdists enter Dara--Madibbo and his War-drums--Horrible Tortures inflicted on the Inhabitants who had concealed Money--The Siege and Fall of El Fasher--Letters from Egypt--The Dreadful Fate of Major Hamada--The Fall of Bahr el Ghazal--I leave for El Obeid 244