Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-09-01
FL, mAHDI's PRISONER IN ROME.

has succeeded in making his escape from
the prisons of the Mahdi, was received on
Thursday evening, the 18th ultimo, by the
Pope, in private audience.
! Father Bonomi was made prisoner by
the Mahdi 10 the capture of the Nuba in the
beginning of 1888. He was taken with
some others, missionaries and sisters.
Father Bonomi arrived in Rome from
Naples on August s, and thus related to His
Holiness the history of his capture and cap
tivity:
AS soon as they were made prisoners they
were taken in presence of the Mahdi, who
tried his best to persuade them that he was
prophet sent by God and that they should
give up the Christian religion and become
followers of Mohammed.
Father Bonomi answered for all, saying ::
"You are not prophet; if you are show
it with less talk and more deeds. Here is
good opportunity for you. You have so
many soldiers here. Feed them all with
one goat and we shall believe that you are
the prophet which you say you are. Take
my head, do not care. know you are an
impostor"
The Arabians who surrounded him would
nave tCfu luc pun Oll ldUuSi " PiOSCSs
But the Mahdi ordered him to be taken
away safely, and intrusted all the prisoners
in custody to one of his servants at El
Obeid, saying that they were blind and he
would pray for them, that they might be
converted and receive light from above.
The jailor, brutal and faaatical Ara
biau, made their captivity horrible, and
some of the Sisters died. The Mahdi having
been unable to compel them to give up their
religion, certain paper, with profession
of Islamitic faith, sent by him for signature,
being sent back unsigned, he spread rumor
that all the Fathers and Sisters had been
willing tc receive the new religion and had
given up Christianity. 1t was lie, merely
directed to discourage any promise that
might have been made by relatives and
friends for their rescue.
The friends, however, had never believed
it, and had several times planned rescue.
1t was difficult to find people who, for
money or love, would undertake the risk of
an escape At last an Arabian camel driver
was hired for 500 down, and with the
promise of much more if he would come
back with the Father aud his companions.
| The messenger had to deliver paper to
| him personally, and for that purpose q
description Of the Father was given him.
| The Arabian found the Father Immediately
who at first thought he hnd 10 do with
| treachery, but as the messenger gave evi-
dence of his connection with tho Fathers Of
| Egypt, he had to believe.
| Another missionary, tferu'an, who was
| a prisoner with Bonomi, at first would mo-
consent 10 escape Father Bonomi tried in
vain to persuade him. He refused steadily.
So, having settled on certain place outside
of Ell Obeid where the driver of the camels
would wait for him, he met him there, and
both started, the missionary dressed as a
poor felah They travelled solitary road,
out of the track of the caravans, and suffer
cd the most horrible thirst rather than stop
at the fountains and go near the baZaars or
the resting places to fetch water and coffee.
After thirteen days Of unspeakable sutferings
the Father and the Arabian reached the
shores of the Nile.
He went to Dongola, and only there he
learned from the English Government the
history of his reported conversion, spread
by the Mahdi's agent. Having left Dongola,
he arrived atCairo on July 25 He organ
ized, before leaving Egypt, arescue of the
other missionaries, and he has great hopes
of success.
It is Father Bonomi's opinion that if the
Mahdi is really dead-poisoned, very likely
it will be easy to overcome Abdullah'
/ Kalfah, bis successor, or any ambitious
man who may covet his power. AS for o.
man Digma, he is known for leader o.
brieands, sort of bandit, but he does moi
enjoy any reputation as military leader
The Mahdi once killed, the Soudan cam
| naipn il over,