CHAPTER V.

THE MAHDI'S VICTORY OVER HICKS PASHA.

The European captives learn that General Hicks is advancing--Slatin Bey's defence of Darfur--His heroism-- The Mahdi prepares to resist Hicks--The march of the Hicks Expedition--Extracts from the diary of Major Herlth--Colonel Farquhar's gallantry at Rahad--Gustav Klootz deserts to the Mahdi--Klootz's interview with the Mahdi in which Ohrwalder and Bonomi act as interpreters--The expedition advances towards Shekan--Is surrounded and annihilated--Description of the battle--The Mahdi victor of Kordofan 72