206 EGYPT AND THE SOUDAN.

a banner, but a (probably false) signal of truce. Captain Pigott with the mounted infantry approached the camp, which he found had been evacuated by the Arabs, who had left the flag behind, a letter being attached to the flagstaff. This communication bore neither date not signature, but stated that two of the Mahdi's lieutenants desired to communicate with the general commanding the British army. The letter was answered by General Buller, who demanded to know what proposals the Mahdi's lieutenants had to make, as he could not enter into communication with them without knowing what was their object. On taking back this reply, however, Captain Pigott's party was fired upon (possibly by Arabs who were unacquainted with the object of their advance), and was finally obliged to return to camp without having been able to deliver the letter. During the remainder of the day and the greater part of the day following nothing of moment occurred, but on the next evening it was discovered that the Arabs were returning to their camp. Accordingly a fresh attempt to parley was made by Major Kitchener, who, it was said, held a short colloquy with the enemy, but nothing came of it. He was, however, not interfered with by them, but returned to camp without mishap. Major Wardrop returned to Abu-Klea from Gakdul the same evening, bringing with him despatches for General Buller, which recalled the force to Gakdul and settled the question of further operations.

It was believed that the rebels in their camp amidst the hills were not well provided with food or water, and that they were compelled to send at intervals to Metammeh for necessary supplies; and after the episode of the white flag and the return to their camp there was a temporary lull. The convoy again started for Gakdul with about thirty wounded officers and men—many of them very seriously injured—and with them Gordon's black troops from Khartum, who were willing either to fight or to do duty as bearers.

A correspondent who accompanied the convoy for some distance paid a brief visit to the scene of the first battle of Abu-Klea, and describes it as presenting a horrible spectacle :—" The desert for nearly a mile was strewn with the bodies of the