VI CONTENTS.

Responsibility of the Egyptian Government for the Hicks Disaster— A " Black Nun's " Story, 43 Dangerous Position of Khartum — Proposal to send Zebehr Pasha to the Soudan — Telegrams from Khartum to Sir E. Baring and the Khedive — Earl Granville's Questions, ...... 44 Earl Granville's Despatch to Mr. Baring — General Gordon's Memorandum on the Position of Affairs — "Observations" by Colonel Stewart — General Gordon's Orders — Difficulties of his Mission, . 48 Gordon at Cairo — Views of the Egyptian Government— Sir E. Baring's Instructions to Gordon — He meets Sir Evelyn Wood at Port Said — Is appointed Governorgeneral of the Soudan — The Khedive's Letter, and his Conversation with Baron de Malortie — Abd-el-Kader declines to go to Khartum, ..... 55 Gordon sets out for Khartum — His desire to be confronted with Zebehr Pasha — Zebehr's Resentment against Gordon — The Scene at the British Agency — A S wedish Traveller's Impressions of Gordon — Zebehr's Grievances — The disputed Letter, ....... 61 Gordon's change of Opinion respecting Zebehr — Opinions of Lieut. - colonel Watson and Colonel Stewart — Idea of sending Zebehr to the Soudan — The Hadendowas, . . . . .69 Gordon's Heroism — Condition of the Soudan — A Sultan of Darfur appointed — Gordon arrives at Assouan — His Demand despatched totheMahdi— Aspect of Assouan and Philae — The first and second Cataracts— Wady Haifa and Korosko, . . 73 March across the Desert — The Village of Abu Hamed — Fate of an Egyptian Regiment — Gordon's Message to Sir E. Baring — His proposed Plan of Government— His strange Memorandum to Mr.

Clifford Lloyd — His intention to visit the Mahdi — An official Flutter — Gordon's Proposal to the King of the Belgians, . 80 Gordon reaches Berber — His hopeful View of Affairs — Zebehr's fitness to "smash the Mahdi" — Gordon's Proclamations, Arrival of Gordon and Stewart at Khartum — The Mahdi proclaimed Sultan of Kordofan — Hussein Pasha dismissed — — The Levee at the Mudirieh — Arrears of Taxation cancelled — Some needed Reforms adopted, ..... 97 Kassala besieged and in danger, . .100 Gordon's Difficulties at Khartum — His Plan for the Appointment of Zebehr — Sir E.

Baring's apparent Approval of the Plan — Zebehr's Defence and Denials — Objections of the British Government — Gordon and Stewart try to overcome these — Official Snubbing — Gordon's Reply — Interference of the Anti-Slavery Society, . 101 Position of Affairs in Khartum in March — Reports regarding the Mahdi— Opposition to the Government Policy — Mr.

Hake on Zebehr Pasha — Gordon's increasing Difficulties — Position of the Garrisons— Gordon's Suggestions rejected by the Government — Reconnaissances by Colonel Stewart and Mr. Power, . .120 The Relief of Halfiyeh determined on — A successful Sortie from Khartum — An Attack on the Rebels — Worthlessness of the Egyptian Soldiers — Mr. Power's Description of the disgraceful Flight — The two traitorous Pashas — A startling Narrative— Gordon's Account of the Affair, . 132 Gordon's Correspondence with the Mahdi — Left to his own resources, he prepares to defend Khartum — A Mutiny among the Bashi-Bazouks — Fall of Berber — Telegraphic Station in the hands of the Rebels — Gordon's Messages from Khartum — Communication stopped, . . . 144 Position of the British Government — Their Instructions to Gordon — Unwillingness to send Egyptian or English Troops, . . 153 Affairs in Khartum — Testimony of a native Witness — Messages from Gordon — His Telegrams to the Khedive — He proposes