SUCCESSES, DOUBTS, AND DIFFICULTIES. IO3 same day the return of invalid soldiers for Berber and Korosko commenced in earnest; and an Egyptian force of two battalions, comprising 41 officers and 1300 men, were ready to leave Cairo for Upper Egypt under thecommand of Colonel Duncan. " Rest assured you leave this place as safe as Kensington Park," said Gordon to Colonel Coetlogon as he bade him good-bye at Khartum.

Gordon was justified in the opinion that the danger menacing Khartum was from within, where the people had been so oppressed that they were driven to contemplate their deliverance by the Mahcli as a probable advantage. The great change in the attitude of the entire population, the manner in which they welcomed the arrival of the governor-general, their enthusiasm when they saw that he was prepared practically to carry out all and more than the promises he had made in his proclamations, the general feeling of tranquillity, were sufficient to assure him that he had secured their confidence. On the 19th of February Power had telegraphed to Sir E. Baring: "Everything is now safe here for troops and Europeans. He is giving the people more than they expected from the Mahdi."

But there was still a great dark back-ground of doubt and dread from which Gordon could not help knowing the clouds might roll onward. Would 'it be possible for him to maintain his ascendency, or, at all events, could he extend his influence beyond the immediate area where he was able to make it practically felt? Even should it be possible for him to remain there after having evacuated the territory of civilians, he would be surrounded with difficulties which no European could hope permanently to overcome without being materially sustained from without; and if strong material aid could not be expected either from Egypt or from England, his retirement, even though he could succeed in pacifying the country and restoring a rule of justice and mercy in the department over which he had control, would be the signal for the advance of the Mahdi from Obeid, and the successive defeat of local chiefs or kings and their small tribes. There was no hope of forming a coalition of these chiefs except under the direction and government of a strong hand. They would be compelled to