The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-04-11

THE FALSE PROPHET OF THE soUpAN.

Illustrated Correspondence Neao Nord.-ITest.
The career of FL Mahdi reads like ro-
nance of ancient time. In some points II
bears striking resemblance TO that OF the
great founder Of the Moslen faith. That q
petty sheik, fanatic priest, should be able
to instigste war of most formidable proper
tions, to gather and maintain armies
which put to flight the Egyptian armies with
scarcely an effort, and fought for hours with
desperate courage against the flower OF the
British army, opposing spears and scimetars
to the most perfected repeating rifles and
Calling guns, would have been impossible
had not the prophets schemes been aided by
the most intense religious fanaticism, and by
political circumstances outside his control.
Indeed the latest news from the seat OF war
indicates that the movement has probably
passed beyond his control.
The portrait of FL Mahdi-the name, ~
many of our readers know, means simply
The PROPHETS taken from a photograph
extensively sold In Cairo. BY what means
this photograph was obtained Is not known,
but Egyptian officers who have seen the
Mahdl declare that II Is a faithful likeness.
The face Is typcally Arabian In ito contour,
the eyes sparkle with intelligence, and, al
together, It's effect ID decidedly very intellect
ual.
As with all other leaders of his kind the
early life of FL Mahdi Is involved In obscu.
rity, and II is probably that veil OF myste-
ry has purposely been thrown about 1t. The
most absurd stories have been told about his
birth and education, one being that he Is
American negro, educated by Catholics. A
glance 81 the portrait will demonstr ate the
folly of this tale. The probable truth Is
FL Mahdis real name Is Mohammed Arch
med; that he Is the son Of apetty Arab
sheik, who was brought up TO be fdkir, or
mendicant priest. IL IL said that when OF
age he retired 10 an island named Aba, In
the White Nile, aud long lived there In a
life of asceticism and religious meditation.
Such an epoch Is always placed by tradition
Ia the life of oil founders Of religious move
ments. Confucius, Guatama, and Moham-
med are oil credited with just such period
OF retirement.
When Eel Mahdi had prepared himself In
this way for his role Of prophet, he began to
gain influence among the neighboring sheiks
the heads Of predatory tribes-and, 1t is
said, especially acquired great power by
means of bis martial relations to them. An
ancient prophecy was brought forward-or
invented--which seemed to point TO Moham-
med Achmed by the most positive signs Of
the race, tribe, date Of birth, and personal
appearance, ss the prophet by whom the
power OF Islam was again to be raised To Its
former glory-the Sultanate restored TO the
orthodox line OF descent, and the power Of
the "infidels" crushed.
Gradually the false prophet collected the
tribes about his banner, and for more than
two years bis army slowly advanced north
ward, gathering strength as IL went, and
easily overpowering It's enemies. At last IL
has approached Khartoum, the outpost OF
civilization, has put 10 ignominious flight the
cowardlv Egyptians under Baker Pasha, has
met an English army, and though twice de-
fested, Is still preparing for fresh battles.
lei Mahdi himself, Is now anxious TO make
peace, but Canaan Digma and other OF his
leaders seem bound to maintain the unequal
struggle. i.. a" 4.A -".# @@#@ @