GEDAKEH 331 bearer of a message to me from General Bundle, now in command at Omdurman. Major Hilliard, these are Captain MacKerrel, commanding four hundred and fifty men of the 16th Egyptians; Captain Wilkinson, an equal number of the Arab battalion; Major Lawson, who has under his command three hundred and seventy Arab irregulars ; Captain the Hon. H. Buthven, who has under him eighty camel-men ; also Captain Fleming of the Boyal Army Medical Corps, who is at once our medical officer and in command of the baggage column; and Captain Dwyer. They are all, like yourself, officers in the Egyptian Army, and rank, like yourself, as Bimbashis. How, sir, will you deliver your message to me? ” “It is of a somewhat grave character, sir, but General Bundle thought it very important that you should be acquainted with the last news. The Sirdar has gone up the White Hile with some of the gun-boats and the 11th Soudanese. He deemed it necessary to go himself, because a body of foreign troops—believed to be French—have established themselves at Fashoda.”

An exclamation of surprise broke from all the officers. “In the next place, sir, Fadil, who had arrived with his force within forty miles of Khartoum, has retired up the banks of the Blue Nile on hearing of the defeat of the Khalifa. Major-General Hunter has therefore gone up that river with three gun-boats and another Soudanese battalion to prevent him, if possible, from crossing it and joining the Khalifa, who is reported to be collecting the remains of his defeated army. It is possible—indeed the General thinks it is probable—that Fadil, if unable to cross, may return with his army to Gedareh. It is to warn you of this possibility that he sent me here. Gedareh is reported to be a defensible position, and therefore he thinks that if you capture it, it would be advisable to maintain yourself there until reinforcements can be sent to you, either from the Blue Hile or the Atbara. The place, it seems, is well supplied with provisions and stores, and in the event of Fadil opposing you, it would