130 EGYPT AND THE SOUDAN.

the reported slaying of Gordon, reached England, the public feeling was intensified by the aggravation of party spirit. The questions that were being asked were. Is it certain that Gordon has been killed? Is there any foundation for the rumour that he contrived to reach the Greek Church and with a few of his faithful followers was holding it against the enemy.'* Is it not possible that he and some of those followers escaped and have reached the Equatorial provinces? In any case will the campaign be continued, if not till Khartum be retaken, till Metammeh has been destroyed; till the force composing the Nile column fights its way to Berber, and there holds its ground in conjunction with the troops at Gubat; till a junction can be effected with the forces at Suakim and the opening of the route between the two places by the force which is now being prepared to renew operations against Osman Digma?

On the 4th of February Sir E. Baring had telegraphed to Earl Granville from Cairo, " All the reports received here from Suakim go to show that Osman Digma's power is still very great, and, indeed, that it has increased lately. A reconnaissance made by General Fremantle shows that he has a large force under him." At the same date General Sir F. Stephenson telegraphed to the Marquis of Hartington that he had received a message from General Fremantle reporting on a disaster that had befallen a reconnoitring party which, on the 3d of February, went out to Handoub, and being inexperienced were taken too far and failed to observe that the camel-men of the enemy were moving round to the rear, the consequence of which was that the party was cut off and a number of men were killed. The enemy had prepared an ambush, and the Hussars were obliged to gallop round the Arab flank under a heavy fire.

The news that Osman Digma was increasing his force was confirmed; but on the 8th of February an Italian steamer arrived at Suakim from Massowah, which, on the 5th, had been occupied by Italian troops under protest but without resistance. The palace and five forts were in their possession; the Italian and Egyptian flags were flying together, and a French gunboat was present, but there was no disturbance on either side. News had arrived at