Out of four thousand seven hundred men--hale, hearty veterans--who had marched under the crescent of Egypt that morning, only two hundred and one survived at night. The Mahdists did not lose more than four hundred men all told. They did not stop to care for the wounded or bury the dead. Another blow had to be struck, and this time at Hicks Pasha. It was a two days march to Tokar. At that place Hicks, with three thousand seven hundred and forty-six men, met the advance guard of the Mahdists, led by Sherif el Habib and Max. The fighting was desperate, but seemed to be as favorable to the Egyptians as the Mahdists, until the Mahdi himself arrived. There was a charm and magnetism about the man which made him irresistible. His presence was equal to a thousand men. In less than an hour the unfortunate Hicks was dead, and two thousand three hundred and seventy-three of his men lay stiffening under the tropical sun. The defeat was a thorough one. The Mahdi was now master of all the Soudan except Khartoum and Equatoria, over which Emin Bey presided. The people flocked to the Mahdi’s tent. Dervishes proclaimed him to be the promised Imaum. In the mosques his name was mentioned with that of the prophet, and the people prostrated themselves when reference was made to him. CHAPTER XXXII. “ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL.” A week of peace after the storm of war was delightful. The army of the Mahdists was large enough to crush any force which could be sent against it. The officers took things easy. Mohammed had brought his harem to the Mahdi’s headquarters, and Ibrahim had received a furlough or leave of absence for two months. This gave him plenty of time to be with Girzilla. One day Girzilla sought out Max and whispered: “I have found him.” “Whom do you refer to?” “The last of the Mamelukes.” “And he is----” “The Mahdi.” “Are you sure, Girzilla?” “Yes; by secret signs I discovered him, and he will restore the glories of his race and bring the whole world to believe in Mahomet.” Max went to the Mahdi and told him of his mission. The tears came into the warrior prophet’s eyes as he heard Max tell his story; how he had lost his father in the caves of the bandits, and had been rescued by Girzilla. When Max narrated how he had become enthused over the story of the great Mameluke who escaped from Mohammed Ali, the Mahdi embraced him. “For my ancestors’ sake, you are doubly dear to me. Stay with me, my son, and share in my triumph.” “No--the work is done. I shall go back to my own land, and shall do as other Americans have done before me--write a book, or tell on the platform the story of the Mahdi, and the Mameluke.” Max wanted to start at once, but Ibrahim pleaded with him to stay until after his wedding with Girzilla. This Max consented to do, and three weeks later a most impressive wedding took place in the vestibule of a mosque at Kordofan. The couple were united and blessed by the Mahdi.