CHAPTER IX.

THE MAHDI'S LAST DAYS.

Ohrwalder's criticisms on certain events connected with the defence of Khartum--The Sudan devastated by small-pox --The Mahdi gives way to a life of pleasure--Description of his harem life--The Mahdi sickens and dies--The effect on his followers--The Khalifa Abdullah succeeds--Party strife and discord--Abdullah prevails--Events in Sennar and Kassala 152