[142] Osman was reported as slain on the 23rd September, 1885, when the Dervishes were routed by the Abyssinians at Kufeit. So far from this being the case, he shortly after marched into Kassala, in triumph.
[143] Much of the narrative of the fight which follows is derived from "Mahdism and the Egyptian Soudan."
[144] Grenfell's fighting force amounted to over 5,000 men.
[145] The Author is indebted to "Mahdism and the Egyptian Soudan" for the greater part of these details.
[146] Matuka is situated on the west bank of the Nile, five and a half miles south of Khor Mussa.
[147] Alongside the camel was found the one-year-old child of the dead chief. The infant was duly cared for, and is now an intelligent and well educated boy in Cairo.
[148] This engagement, which took place at Tokar, for some unknown reason is referred to by some writers as the battle of Afafit.
[149] Egypt's contribution to the expenses of the Army of Occupation at this period amounted to £200,000 per annum.
[150] The new coins, although "made in Germany," had impressed on them in Arabic characters the words "struck in Cairo," with the year of the Sultan's reign in which they were made superadded.
[151] An instance of this occurred to the Author personally. On asking a native landowner if, under the new regime, his taxes were not lighter, and were not collected at a more convenient season than formerly, he replied in the affirmative. Interrogated further if his water supply was not more regular, and the increase of his crops was not also greater than before, he answered with an emphatic "Yes." When, however, the question was put to him, "To whom do you attribute these changes for the better?" the man simply replied, "'Tis the will of Allah."