New-York tribune., 1893-12-24
his Highness's presence with the impression
that he was not sincere in his laudation OF Cor


that ne was not sincere in his laudation Of Cor
doh' and that there was something behind IT,
In due time Gordon arrived at Cairo on MS
way SOUTH and as he had been an old school
friend Of my father. and had known him from
boyhood. accompanied him to the railroad STA
lon at B0ulac when he started on that Journey
10 khartoum from which he was never TO return
On my way home / dropped in at the lsiiaii'"
falace, where the Khedive was residing al 'he
tlme and the chamberains on duty were
aware OF my relations with their MASTER "n0"
dated from a time long before he succeeded 10
the sovereignty of Egypt, one of them conduc'eu
me to the Khedve's room without previously
taking his pleasure upon the subject MY au-
vent was manifestly not only unexpected py HIS
Highness, but also regarded by him as mop
perfume. For as passed through me SUITE Vi
rooms I caught sight Of Zebehr in earnest con-
versation of the most animated character Win
the Khedive. the ordinarily impassive features OF
the slave king being lightened up with an eN-
ultant smile The moment Tewfk became aware
of nv approach he quickly muttered something
TO Zebehr with manifestations Of considerable
perturbation, and Zebehr slipped off through
side door in a manner that showed that ne was
a frequent visitor and an habitub or the palace
The Khedive. after having addressed Few sharp
and rasping words in Turkish to the unfortunate
chamberlain. began to talk with me in his usual
affable way evnced the eatest interest In my
account Of Gordon's departure and was quite ful-
In his praise of the General. praise that
sounded somewhat odd coming from man VINO
had but a moment before been engaged In con-
fdential conversation with the person OF all
others who was Gordons bitterest enemy, and
who had sworn in the most solemn manner never
TO rest until he had avenged his son by Gordon's
death.
Zebehr remained in Cairo and continued to act
as the Mahdi's agent throughout the summer Of
1884 keeping him supplied with intelligence as to
all the movements undertaken against him. and
II was thus that the Mahdi was made acquainted
in ample time Of Lord Wolseley's Nile expedi-
ton for the relief of Khartoum and the rescue
of Gordon. II not until the officers In charge
Of the intelligence department OF the expedition
had obtained at Wadi Halfa evidence or the fact
that Zebehr was in constant communication with
the Madh that the English Government finally
decided to act and accordingly one night Hebehr
was seized at Alexandria while staying In the
house Of the local chief OF the FL Senussi fra
ternity in Egypt. and was shipped of on board
a British man-of-war TO Gibraltar. where he was
detained in captivity for several years. II was
only about two or three years ago. indeed. that
he was permitted to return to Egypt on the
| dedtn or tne Mdnul ana lne pIdCNlCdi
tion Of the Soudanese insurrecton.
This. then, is the man whose cause Sir william
| Marriott is now about TO champion. not only
against the Egyptian Government but also
| against that OF Engand-at least so 1t would
appear from the cable dispatches. What these
interests are 1t is difficult to say, and the
claims which Sir William intends to press are
| likewise Of somewhat shadOwy nature. In one
| way Zebehr has been very badly treated. 1t
| cannot be denied that the Anglo-Egyptian Gov
ernment violated the pledges made through
| Gordon with regard to his freedom and his safe
| conduct when he first went to Cairo in Difference
| to the Khedive's invitation. and second. II Is
| open to question whether England had any
| legal right to seize him at Alexandria, to abduct
him on board a man-of-war to Gibraltar and
| to detain him there prisoner for three
| years without any form Of trial or even court
! martial. But then. on the other hand. while an
| object of great interest he cannot be regarded
| as one deserving Of sympathy. For. as / stated
| above there are few men whose hands have
| been more deeply stained In human blood or who
| are responsible for much devastation OF
| the fairest districts OF the Dark Continent
as the once dreaded and still influential Zebehr.
| the ex-slave king Of the Soudan
| EX-ATTACHE.