SLATIN, Rudolf C. Fire and Sword In The Sudan. A Personal Narrative of Fighting And Serving the Dervishes. 1879-1895. By Rudolf C. Slatin Pasha. Translated by Major F.R. Wingate. Illustrated by R. Talbot Kelly.
London: Edward Arnold, 1896. Third edition.
Tall thick 8vo., orig. maroon cloth with pictorial decoration in gilt, (xx), 636, 32pp.ads dated "April 1896."
Some scattered foxing, heavier on prelims o/w a near fine copy.
Sir Rudolf Slatin [1857-1932] Anglo-Austrian soldier and administrator in the Sudan. Slatin made his first journey to the Sudan at age 17, reaching Khartum in 1875. He went through Kordofan to Dar Nuba, exploring the mountains of the region. Slatin met Emin Pasha who later recommended Slatin to General Gordon for employments in the Sudan. Although Slatin returned to Austria for a time, he received a letter from Gordon and returned to the Sudan in 1879, and was appointed Governor of Dara a post he held until 1881. In 1881 he was appointed Governor General of Darfur. In this position he dealt with revolts and endeavored to remedy abuses. Soon he met the rising power of the Madhi Mohammed Ahmed. Early in 1882 the Arabs were in revolt and without reinforcements and sufficient resources Slatin was forced to surrender in 1883. When he refused to co-operate by helping to secure Gordon's surrender, Slatin was placed in chains and held in captivity for 11 years. After 11 years, he was helped to escape by Major Wingate, of Egyptian Intelligence, reaching Egypt in 1885. Slatin recorded his experiences in " the remarkable book, Fire and Sword, issued in 1896, Slatin gave not only a personal narrative of fighting and serving but also a connected account of the Sudan under the rule of the Khalifa." $500 CAD