A DESPATCH FROM NUBAR PASHA. 495 the whole country as far as Ayak. This news was confirmed by four Agar men, who arrived some days later, and in consequence of it the Negroes had dispersed. Moreover, the famous Dinka chief, Kojur Dentonj, had fallen in the last fight before Lado. I do not feel quite comfortable about these reports—if they are anything more than mere Negro gossip. After recent events, it is not likely that the Government would employ Danagla as well as their own troops. Is it not more likely - that this is a new expedition of Danagla from Dem Soliman or even Kordofan, among whom there would probably be large numbers of deserters and prisoners from the Bahr-el-Ghazal and Kordofan ?

WaApvetAl, March 3, 1886.

On the afternoon of February 26, the sergeant-major, whom I had sent with Junker and Vita to Kabréga, appeared quite unexpectedly, and laid down before me a large packet of letters. Besides letters from Dr. Junker to me explaining everything in detail, there was an official despatch from Cairo, signed Nubar, a letter of Sir John Kirk’s, forwarded to me by my agent, and copies of letters from Mr. Mackay, Mr. Ashe, and M. Lourdel—all of them in Uganda—to Dr. Junker. Mr. Mackay had also kindly sent to Dr. Junker two packets of Reuter’s telegrams extending over the year 1884, and up to November 2, 1885. .The EHgyptian despatch, written in French, informs me that the Government is unable to assist us, for the Sudan is to be given up, gives me carte blanche to take any measures I please, should I decide to leave the country, and, further, authorises me to draw on the English Consul-General in Zanzibar. It is a cool business despatch, in the fullest sense of the word, not acknowledging by a single word the cares I have borne for three years, my fights with Danagla and Negroes, my hunger and nakedness, nor giving me a word of encouragement in the superhuman _ task of leading home the soldiers, which now lies before me.

_ However, I am accustomed to this sort of thing. In the years 1878-80, during which the river was blocked for twentytwo months, I held the country and people together, and - showed for the first time that we could maintain ourselves by