The Indianapolis journal., 1885-08-10
WITH THE MAHDI.
A Priests Thrilling Story of His Expe-
rience in the Prophets Camp.
A Party of Nuns Subjected to Shameful and
Barbarous Treatment, and Compelled
to Affect to Embrace Islamism.

Cairo Letter in London News.
I have received from Father Bononi the follow
ing narrative of his experiences in captivity with
the Mahdi:
When the Mahdi marched upon Khartoum
was with twelve European surviving members
of the mission The priest, three nuns, and
one catechist died of starvation and bad treat
ment. 1, with a mission composed of Padre
Yousef, Orwalder, the layman called Giuseppe,
Regnalo, mechanic, Gabriel Madam also
mechanic, and three nuns established a
church at Gebel Deli three days journey from
Obeid
We had fixed to escape on the 14th of Septem-
Der, 1882 man called Khalel Eff military
officer, Informed the rebels of our intentions.
We had foolishly ntrusted him with our secret
Thereupon El Mex Omar completely surrounded
US, and sent US summons to surrender, stat
ing if we did not we should be put to the sword.
AT this juncture the officer commanding the
Egyptian troops and all his men, who were there
to protect us, declared for Mahomet Achmet, the
Mahdi. Then seizing their rifles and ammuni-
ton, they passed the Zerebas and deliberately
went over to the Arabs. We determined to offer
to surrender on condition that our lives should
be spared, and that we should be allowed to pro-
ceed to Egypt unmolested. These terms were
granted. and we became prisoners. All our cat
tie, sheep, farming instruments, books, and
clothes were seized We were bound and
marched off to Mahomet Achmet who was then
before Obeid.
There were seven of u.s. and we were led be-
fore Mahomet Achmet. He informed us that it
would be necessary for US Immediately to
embrace Islamsm. We replied firmly: 1--WE
cannot do this thing, nor forsake our holy
religion God forbids it; and even were we to
do this, and become Moslems in garb and out
ward form, our hearts would remain unchanged"
This bold reply greatly irritated Mahomet
Achmet. He cried: "Hark ye, accursed
infdels! Tomorrow is Friday 1 give you
time to reflect. If you have not embraced
lsamism by the rising of to-morrow's sun,
behold you shall be led forth and executed as
punishment for your obstinacy and disobedence
So have care and repent while yet there is
time. have spoken"
We were during the day visited by several
dervishes, who abjured US to embrace Islamism
but we replied: I'VE give you, o, dervishes,
the same answer as we did to your master-we
cannot do this thing" They were very wroth
and spat at us, and brandished their long swords
at u.s. But we trusted in God The next morn
ing we were led forth from from the hut bull. of
We found the Arabs drawn up in line
Behind them was vast assemblage of
horsemen. Thousands of spears and bright
swords cleaned and ghstened in the rays of the
and eided the edges of the few mimosa and
rocks scattered about on that vast yellow sandy
plain-we looked upon it, as we su pposed for the
last time. Never again were we to see a sun
I.
done before US, were to die martyrs for the faith
of our Lord. We had no fear. We reioiced that
We were thought worthy to die for His sake. AS
we were led along that long line, marching with
nrm step and heads upright. the Arabs bran
dished their long two edged swords over our
heads curslng US as we passed, and now we
reached the spot where Mahonet Achmet, the
Mahdi was.
He was mounted on magnificent dromedary.
He cried aloud to u.s. 80 Christians, are you
prepared to embrace Islamism or to have your
heads struck off from your shoulders" Then
we, having our trust in God, made answer, 20
Sheik Mahomet Achmet! you have vast powers;
you command this huge assemblage of warriors
stretching as far as the eye can see You can
order them to do whatsoever seems good in your
eyes. and you are obeyed and you also have
power over US to say US, for God for some wise
purpose has delivered US into your hands, but
you have not power. o Sheik, to make us en-
brace IsIamisi1. We prefer death TO doing this
thing"
We, one and all, made this solemn asseveration.
There was silence all along those dusky ranks,
and near US stood dervishes, with long swords.
waiting and longing to do the bidding of their
master, and strike off our heads. But Maho-
met Achmet gazed upward and eastward for
some time, and spoke not. He then fixed his
eagle eyes upon US with intensity and perceiv-
ing we were steadfast in the faith, he cried
aloud, 80, Nazarenes, may Allah, tie most
bountiful and merciful, put your hearts right
and show you the right PATH" and when he had
thus spoken, he again cried aloud. "Al ye who
are here present, sheiks and dervishes and every
man under you bearing sarms, put up now your
swords in their sheaths, for this is the order
give you: Let these Nazarenes be conducted to
my hut in safety. l have said t!"
So we were led off praisng God for having put
it into the heart of this fierce man to spare US
We were conducted to a straw hut He ordered
US to sit down. and to partake Of food with him;
and he conversed freely and in an animated
manner with u.s. asking US our ideas on many
subjects. 'Be assured" he said, ''of my protec-
tioh. There shall not be hair of your heads
injured. l shall now give you in charge of
Syrian Of the name of George Stambouli This
man. praise be to Allah, has seen the error of
his ways as no doubt you will see shortly, and
has embraced lslamism. He will instruct you
in all needful doctrine"
During the siege priest named Giovanni
Losi died in Obeid, but two others were cap
tured and compelled to embrace Islamism, and
there were five sisters taken at the same time
the hope that they wond follow the example of
hn NAV Ehn c+n ,,af, a.