94 EGYPT AND THE SOUDAN.

Charles Wilson previous to his departure for Khartum, after being assured that the force at Gubat was in no great danger of being attacked.

For this reconnaissance three steamers were got ready on the 2 2d, and Colonel Wilson went on board the Talahawiyeh accompanied by Sir Charles Beresford, who had to be half carried to the cabin in which he was placed on a seat.

In accordance with the advice in Gordon's letter Khashm-el-Mus Bey was made commander in place of Nashi Pasha. Two companies of mounted infantry went with Sir Charles Wilson, and Captain Verner with Abd-ul-Hamid Bey took the native soldiers in the Bordcin; the Es Sofia following with her own captain and crew. The expedition was chiefly for the purpose of discovering whether any immediate and serious attack was likely to be made by an advancing foe, or whether the enemy was in force at any place on the river bank within a certain distance of the camp; and so decided were the reports that such a force was approaching that it was arranged for the steamers to return immediately should those on board hear any sound of heavy firing in the direction of Abu-Kru. In passing Metammeh a few shots were fired at them from the banks, and the men on the Talahawiyeh replied, but without much apparent result; but on nearing Sayal, beyond Metammeh, the men on the look-out reported that they saw a battery in a Sakieh pit. It turned out to be empty, the gun having been taken away; but a party landed and demolished the battery, at the same time finding that from a sand-bank just in front of it they could obtain such a view of the surrounding country that they felt sure none of the enemy had assembled at Sayal.

Another battery was passed and they Avere approaching Shendy when on the bank they saw a man standing and waving to them. The steamer was run at low speed in to the bank and he was taken on board. From him they learned that the force of the enemy coming from Berber had stopped on meeting with the fugitives from Abu-Klea. He also said there were only three or four hundred dervishes in Shendy, and that a large part of these were ready to side with the government. This may or