Max had amused himself on his journey in making a number of giant cartridges--consisting of a paper shell and nearly half a pound of powder. He had intended them for any rock he wanted to dislodge or blast, and when he felt for his revolver, he accidentally discovered one of these heavy cartridges in his saddlebag. Madcap as he was even when fighting, he conceived a plan unique and terrible. Quietly riding forward on his camel to the standard bearer of the Fashodians, he managed to place the cartridge under the saddlebag and lighted the fuse. The standard bearer turned quickly on his camel to repel, as he thought, the attack made by Max, but was surprised to see the American ride away. The fight was raging furiously when a loud report was heard, and the standard bearer was flying through space. Alas! his beauty was defaced and his usefulness ended, for the madcap had charged the cartridge so well that the poor bearer of the crescent of Egypt was rent into a hundred pieces, and his remains had to be left scattered on the ground. The Fashodians were superstitious, and believed that the prophet must have indeed come. To add to their terror, a great army of Arabs was seen approaching, and a great cry arose from the throng: “The Mahdi has come!” And into the thickest of the fight rode a stately looking man with clear, bright eyes and intelligent, broad forehead. In a voice of authority he shouted: “To your homes! Repent ye. I am your _Imaum_, the Mahdi.” CHAPTER XXII. TRICK OR MIRACLE. Long years of asceticism had made the man who claimed to be the long-promised Mahdi almost ethereal in appearance. There was a brightness about his eyes which fairly fascinated one. His skin was as smooth as that of a child, his teeth even and regular, his forehead high and broad, while his jet-black mustache and beard gave him a look of authority. It is very easy to believe that the appearance of such a man, added to the sanctity of his life, impressed the untutored Arabs with a belief in his pretensions. Had this Mahdi lived five hundred years ago, he would have subjugated Europe easily. “I am the Mahdi!” Soldiers dropped their weapons and many prostrated themselves on the ground. The victory was a very easy one, and the governor of Fashoda fell back with his troops. The Mahdi did not pursue, but gathered his forces together and commenced the march into the mountain fastness. When a halt was called Sherif el Habib fell on his face, and taking the Mahdi’s garment in his hands, pressed it to his lips. “I know thou art the Mahdi!” he said, with reverent solemnity. The Mahdi bade him rise. Turning to Mohammed, the Mahdi said: “Thou, too, believest; I see it in thy mind. Verily the kingdoms of the world shall know it as well as thou.” Looking at Ibrahim, this mysterious man exclaimed: “Young man, thou art delighted because thy uncle hath found me, because the time of your pleasure is near at hand.”