Abdullah now turned his attention to reorganizing the system of justice. Hitherto, and during the Mahdi's lifetime, the office of Kadi had continued, but the Ashraf (Mahdi's relations) also acted in the capacity of judges, and the result was the greatest possible confusion. For instance, supposing a man was sentenced by the judge, Sayid Abdel Kader (the Sheikh el Islam) would immediately pardon him. Abdullah, not unnaturally, wanted to change this anomaly, not so much in the interests of justice as to break down the power and authority of the Ashraf. He therefore nominated Kadi Ahmed as the Kadi el Islam, and appointed a number of assistant judges, whom he called Nuab. It was ruled that everyone, old and young, should report all causes of dispute to the Grand Kadi, and it was his duty to look into it and give a decision. Kadi Ahmed is a particularly good man, and gives protection to the white people, more especially when they are attacked and abused by the native populace. He is, however, of rather a vacillating, timorous disposition, and is therefore a pliable instrument in the Khalifa's hands; consequently there is often a miscarriage of justice. Thus did the Khalifa secure, in his own person, the right to pardon or to convict, and thus he became absolute master of life and death. As for the law, he only appealed to it when it suited his own convenience; on every other occasion he absolutely ignored it. CHAPTER XIII. THE KHALIFA DECIDES TO CONQUER ABYSSINIA. Events subsequent to the fall of Khartum--Capture of Gedaref and Galabat--Dervishes defeated by Abyssinians at Galabat--Abu Anga's victorious expedition to Tagalla--His triumphant return to Omdurman--The Khalifa's grand review--Destruction of the Gehena tribe--The Khalifa decides to send Abu Anga's army to conquer Abyssinia--The battle of Dabra Sin--Abu Anga sacks Gondar--The victorious Dervishes return to Galabat--Rejoicings at Omdurman. The preceding pages have given a glimpse of Omdurman, the new Dervish capital of the Sudan; let us now turn briefly to the military events which had occurred since the fall of Khartum.