Although the Egyptian Government might loudly proclaim their detestation of slavery, their behaviour in the Soudan was viewed with suspicion by the European Powers, and particularly by Great Britain.  To vindicate his sincerity the Khedive Ismail in 1874 appointed Gordon to be Governor of the Equatorial Province in succession to Sir Samuel Baker.  The name of the General was a sufficient guarantee that the slave trade was being earnestly attacked.  The Khedive would gladly have stopped at the guarantee, and satisfied the world without disturbing ‘vested interests.’  But the mission, which may have been originally instituted as a pretence, soon became in Gordon’s energetic hands very real.  Circumstances, moreover, soon enlisted the sympathies of the Egyptian Government on the side of their zealous agent.  The slave dealers had committed every variety of atrocity for which the most odious traffic in the world afforded occasion; but when, under the leadership of Zubehr Rahamna, they refused to pay their annual tribute, it was felt in Cairo that their crimes had cried aloud for chastisement.

Zubehr is sufficiently described when it has been said that he was the most notorious slave dealer Africa has ever produced.  His infamy had spread beyond the limits of the continent which was the scene of his exploits to the distant nations of the north and west.  In reality, his rule was a distinct advance on the anarchy which had preceded it, and certainly he was no worse than others of his vile trade.  His scale of business was, however, more extended.  What William Whiteley was in respect of goods and chattels, that was Zubehr in respect of slaves—­ a universal provider.  Magnitude lends a certain grandeur to crime; and Zubehr in the height of his power, at the head of the slave merchants’ confederacy, might boast the retinue of a king and exercise authority over wide regions and a powerful army.

As early as 1869 he was practically the independent ruler of the Bahr-el-Ghazal.  The Khedive resolved to assert his rights.  A small Egyptian force was sent to subdue the rebel slaver who not only disgraced humanity but refused to pay tribute.  Like most of the Khedivial expeditions the troops under Bellal Bey met with ill-fortune.  They came, they saw, they ran away.  Some, less speedy than the rest, fell on the field of dishonour.  The rebellion was open.  Nevertheless it was the Khedive who sought peace.  Zubehr apologised for defeating the Viceregal soldiers and remained supreme in the Bahr-el-Ghazal.  Thence he planned the conquest of Darfur, at that time an independent kingdom.  The Egyptian Government were glad to join with him in the enterprise.  The man they had been unable to conquer, they found it expedient to assist.  The operations were successful.  The King of Darfur, who was distinguished no less for his valour than for his folly, was killed.  The whole country was subdued.  The whole population available after the battles became slaves.  Zubehr thus wielded a formidable power.  The Khedivial Government, thinking to ensure his loyalty, created him a Pasha—­a rank which he could scarcely disgrace; and the authority of the rebel was thus unwillingly recognised by the ruler.  Such was the situation when Gordon first came to the Soudan.