92 EGYPT AND THE SOUDAN.

probability that the object of the expedition would not be achieved, and that the forces sent by desert and river would not only fail to advance to Khartum, but would have great difficulty in retiring from the approach to it without being shattered and reduced to a remnant which would not suffice to carry back the tidings of disaster.

Comments in the press were full of encouragement; there was a faint jubilation among the people, who had been waiting anxiously for news. At last, it was thought, Wolseley and Gordon will join hands at Khartum.

" Briefly, then," said the leading journal, " the present situation is as follows* The position at Gubat, close to the Nile, is held by a force about 900 strong, and Metammeh, two miles to the north, is still occupied by the enemy, estimated at 2000 strong with three guns, but evidently discouraged by two successive defeats. Two of General Gordon's steamers are probably lying off Metammeh, and the two others may be expected to return from Khartum to-day or to-morrow. The force at Abu-Klea is safe, and has apparently not been attacked. The desert between Abu-Klea and Gakdul does not seem to be unsafe. The Royal Irish Regiment will leave Korti to-day for the front, and will be followed shortly by the West Kent. These two regiments would add about 1000 men to the force at Gubat; and Metammeh, if not previously abandoned, could be taken without difficulty. More than 3000 camels were probably sent with Sir H. Stewart's force, and Lord Wolseley has not, perhaps, as many as 1000 available at Korti and Gakdul. It may, therefore, be necessary to march the men across the desert, using the camels only to carry water and provisions.

Such a march would probably require a fortnight; but, on the other hand, as soon as the position at the front clears a Httle an effort will at once be made to send back a large body of camels to Gakdul. It may now be taken as certain that Lord Wolseley has obtained a complete military hold over the Korti-Gubat line, and that the difficulty of communications along it will be due only to want of transport. Almost more important, however, is the presence of the steamers on the Nile, which Lord Wolseley owes