In London as well as Constantinople, in Paris alike with Cairo, the people could talk of nothing but the wonderful advance of the Mahdi.
Mohammed Ahmed was shrewd.
He knew that his victory would rouse all the animosity of the Egyptians and Turks against him.
A delay would be dangerous.
The Soudan must be his, and that at once.
He called together his chosen friends and told them that the victory must be followed up by still greater victories.
Sherif el Habib, full of the religious devotion which made men rejoice in being martyrs, advised the instant march on Khartoum.
“The presence of the Mahdi is enough; all men must acknowledge your mission,” he said, and really believed that the Mahdi could scatter his enemies by a mere word.
But the prophet shook his head.
“No, my friend, Allah works by men’s hands, and it is only by the sword that the prince of darkness can be crushed. To march now would be to invite defeat.”