We waited and we all arrived at a village. Its people welcomed us with joy and happiness. Gordon distributed clothes and drums to them. After a march of five miles, we reached Berber. We found a group of soldiers lined up waiting for us. Then they fired twenty-one shots as a welcome to Gordon's arrival. After resting in the Directorate's palace, interviews began. The consuls of the countries entered and spoke to him about his mission, and they expressed their doubts about his success. He met their frankness with indifference. Then the government officials entered, and their opinions were like those of the consuls. He told them that the soldiers were coming from Egypt. Then the notables entered, and he promised them unity. After lunch, a meeting was held with the notables and senior officials to consult about Al-Mahdi. The notables told him that Al-Mahdi's power had grown, and all of Western Sudan had submitted to him. He had fifty thousand Remington rifles and thirty-five cannons. He would not submit unless he saw a force equal to his or superior to it. He told them, "Whatever his strength, the Egyptian government is stronger, and Her Majesty Queen Victoria's government supports it, and he must be defeated sooner or later." He concluded his words by issuing strict orders to everyone to remain calm and stay away from anything that could cause sedition. Gordon's departure from Berber. After spending three days resting from the journey, we sailed from Berber, heading to Khartoum on one of the steamers. As we approached Khartoum, we saw