FALL OF KHARTOUM. 191 of us, thirsting for an opportunity for avenging Abu Klea. Wolseley, we knew, had not enough spare troops to reinforce us sufficiently to make headway against the thousands of the enemy, and even if he had, couldn't bring them up in time ; the river column was not expected for at least another month, and our provisions would certainly not last more than a fortnight or so ; altogether it was not a happy prospect.

In answer to our eager inquiries as to particulars, we learnt that when Sir Charles Wilson and his steamers had come within sight of Khartoum, they had found it already in possession of the enemy, and, on approaching, had met with such a tremendous fire from the banks and the town itself that it was foolhardy to go any further. They therefore returned at once, and on going down the Shabluka cataract both steamers had been wrecked ; the troops were landed and entrenched themselves, whilst Stuart Wortley was sent down in a nugger to bring us the news and get assistance. Such, in outline, was what we heard. Nothing definite was known of the fate of Gordon.