Amid the flashing of steel and the cracking of musketry the Mahdi rode; he had saved the madcap’s life at the risk of his own.
Ibrahim had fought with terrible fury, and scores of the Fashodans had felt the keenness of his sword and the strength of his arm.
His latest achievement was the capture of the Governor of Fashoda.
When the day ended and the result of the fight was known, it was found that of the five thousand brave followers of Hubert Ponsonby and the Fashodan governor, not two hundred escaped.
The carnage was fearful.
The Mahdi lost about two hundred men, the enemy over four thousand.
Ibrahim and Max were the heroes of the hour, and the Mahdi, in a loud voice, proclaimed the “infidel” Max as an adopted son of the prophet.
Amid heartfelt cries of: “Great is Allah! The Mahdi hath come!” the sun went down, and Mohammed Ahmed was the greatest warrior the Soudan had ever known.
CHAPTER XXVI.
A PLAN OF CAMPAIGN.
The victory of the Mahdi over the Fashodans was telegraphed all over the world.