24 WITH KITCHENER IN THE SOUDAN

had no conditions to impose upon the government, but were

ready to discuss any proposal, and that the troops would be

allowed to evacuate the forts with the honour of war.

It was most unfortunate that the fleet had not brought with them two or three thousand troops. Had they done so

they could have landed at once and saved a great portion of

the town from destruction; but as he had no soldiers the

admiral could not land a portion of the sailors, as the large Egyptian force in the town, which was still protected by

a number of land batteries, might fall upon them. At five

o’clock the Helicon was sent in to say that white flags would

not be noticed unless hoisted by authority, and if they were again shown the British admiral would consider them the

signs of a general surrender. It was a long time before the Helicon returned with news that no communication had been

received from the enemy, that the barracks and arsenals seemed to be deserted, and as far as could be seen the whole town was evacuated. As evening wore on, fresh fires broke

out in all parts of the town, and a steam pinnace was sent

ashore to ascertain, if possible, the state of affairs. Mr.

Ross, a contractor for the supply of meat to the fleet, volun-

teered to accompany it. The harbour was dark and deserted, not a light was to be

seen in the houses near the water ; the crackling of the flames

could be heard, with an occasional crash of falling walls and

roofs. On nearing the landing-place the pinnace paused for two or three minutes for those on board to listen, and as all was quiet, steamed alongside. Mr. Ross jumped ashore, and

the boat backed off a few yards. A quarter of an hour later he returned. That quarter of the town was entirely deserted, and he had pushed on until arrested by a barrier of flames. The great square was on fire from end to end, the European

quarter generally was in flames, and he could see, by the litter

that strewed the streets, that the houses had been plundered

before being fired. When daylight broke, a number of Euro-

peans could be seen at the edge of the water in the harbour.