The
Emir, who had been living in domestic retirement in Cairo, was
with some difficulty discovered, given ?2,000, an embroidered
uniform, together with the largest decoration that could be
found, and informed that he was to start at once with General
Gordon for the Sudan, where it would be his duty to occupy the
province of Darfur, after driving out the forces of the Mahdi.
The poor man begged for a little delay; but no delay could be
granted. He hurried to the railway station in his frockcoat and
fez, and rather the worse for liquor. Several extra carriages for
his twenty-three wives and a large quantity of luggage had then
to be hitched on to the Governor-General's train; and at the last
moment some commotion was caused by the unaccountable
disappearance
of his embroidered uniform. It was found, but his troubles were
not
over. On the steamer, General Gordon was very rude to him, and he
drowned his chagrin in hot rum and water. At Assuan he
disembarked,
declaring that he would go no farther. Eventually, however, he
got
as far as Dongola, whence, after a stay of a few months, he
returned
with his family to Cairo.
In spite of this little contretemps, Gordon was in the highest
spirits. At last his capacities had been recognised by his
countrymen; at last he had been entrusted with a task great
enough to satisfy even his desires.
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