EMIN AND THE EMIR. perplexity, but was anxious above all things to gain time. He sent word to the Emir that, being desirous to avoid useless bloodshed, he would not refuse to appear before him, but that the hostility of the natives against him was so great that he could not venture to leave his quarters; he repre sented that his departure would be the signal for a general mutiny, and added that, while he was thus careful to protect the lives of his soldiers, he was nevertheless willing to hold the province as being under the Mahdi’s authority; finally declaring that he could not think of quitting his post until a suc cessor had been appointed, and that he should accordingly wait for further instructions. Without loss of time, however, he concentrated all his force. Abandoning all outlying stations, he gathered his troops into one body, and proceeded to make preparation for an attack which he fore saw was imminent. At the close of the year 1884 things had indeed become serious, and a report was spread that a large force, commanded by the Emir Karam-Allah in person, was marching upon the station of Amadi, just five days’ journey from Lado. The rumour was only too true. Amadi had to