He bore a letter to the prophet, and another to Sherif el Habib.
When the dispatch was opened the Mahdi read:
“To the illustrious Mahomet Ahmed, the Prophet, Imaum and Mahdi:
“Greeting: Senaar resisted for several hours, but the flag of the Mahdi floats over its fortress. The day is ours.
“Ibrahim.”
Sherif el Habib handed his document to the Mahdi.
“Dear uncle, we have fought and won,” ran the letter. “I was wounded in the right foot and lost two toes, but that was better than my life. The people were all with us, but the soldiers fought bravely. It was a tough battle. The commander gave me his sword, which I will send to the Mahdi when I hear from him. How is Girzilla? Give her my love. Is Max the Madcap alive? Of course he is. Tell him not to play any pranks in Kordofan.
“Your loving nephew,
“Ibrahim.”
When the Mahdi had read the letters aloud to his staff, he called Max to him.