240 EGYPT AND THE SOUDAN.

where the Wady Otao debouches on to the coast plains. To enter the mountain pass on the way to Sinkat is a refreshing change from tlie arid lieat of the desert, as the journey is 3000 feet above sea-level, and on the sides of the mountains towards the sea there are many plants and shrubs, but the other side consists of bare rocks with only the lowest parts of the valleys covered with any verdure. Passing through such valleys Sinkat is reached, some forty miles from Suakim, and it was thought that the army would penetrate to this place and there take up summer quarters. The line of railway—the line from Suakim to Berber, had, however, to be considered, and this route was to Handoub and thence to Otao, 4) miles from Handoub and 17 from Suakim, where the way passes into the mountains, the underfcatures on either side being from mile to 2 miles distant, rocky and abrupt, while the view behind them is limited by rugged mountains rising to 1000 and 1500 feet above sea-level. The wady is little more than the boulder bed of a mountain torrent, the two wells of brackish water being ordinarily about enough for 250 men and as many horses.

About four miles further the Wady Sinkat is reached, inclosed by high and rugged mountains; but the next point in the route which was the proposed course of the advance is Tambouk, 102 miles from Otao.

At the time that the railway from Suakim was commenced there were already evidences that active measures might be ordered for the purpose of forcing Osman Digma to come to a battle. The hot season was advancing, the forces under Lord VVolseley had been reduced by battle and sickness, and there was much fear that they might be still further diminished by remaining in such a climate; while people who knew what the summer around Suakim was like, urgently declared that our army there would melt away with fever and exhaustion unless steps were taken to occupy some position where the temperature would be more suited to Europeans. Added to this a political crisis appeared to be approaching. The government still held its own, but proposals for votes of censure, though they are not carried, have a certain significance, and there were troubles in Burmah, troubles on the Afghan frontier, small troubles in Canada where rebel half-breeds were committing atrocities, troubles still in Ireland.

Sagacious people began to discern that it would be best for all concerned, for Egypt and for England, to make some decisive effort to defeat Osman Digma, and then reverting to the original policy of leaving ]vhartum and the Southern Soudan, and retaining only a sufficient force to hold Suakim and the Red Sea coast, with the Italians at Massowa, and, as it was hoped, with friendly tribes aided by Abyssinians and our old acquaintance Ras. Aloula, holding the country round Kassala, to retire our army from Suakim and from other places, after providing for the protection of the Egyptian territory at Wady Haifa, and at other points within the