134 EGYPT AND THE SOUDAN.

The firing was discovered to have been an attack on a party of 300 of Gordon's black soldiers who had been sent down the river for firewood, and by some unaccountable negligence of the officers had been left there. These were cut off by the advance of the Arabs, and they attempted to get to Khartum at night by means of boats. When passing Halfiyeh, they were seen by the rebels, who opened fire on them, killing several. Eight of the boats were captured, and three escaped with 150 men. In consequence of some further disgraceful negligence the steamers that should have gone to their rescue did not get under weigh for six hours after the event. They then, however, made a most successful trip, bringing back the boats and some refugees; amongst these were two of the Shaggiehs who were blockaded. Concerning these blockaded Shaggiehs there were, during the day, all kinds of contradictory reports. Some said they had gone over to the rebels, and some that they were loyal. The two returned men, however, assured Gordon of their fidelity, so it was determined to attempt to get them out, though the advance of the force of rebels on the river bank, added to the number surrounding Halfiyeh, had at first caused Gordon to hesitate, as it seemed that there would be great difficulty in any further effort than that of defending Khartum. He had armed many of the townspeople. Hicks Pasha's defeat had not only entailed a loss of life, but had deprived General Gordon of all those who had ever shown any ability in the public departments. Therefore he had to do everything himself, and if he could succeed in extricating the garrison of Halfiyeh, that was about all he could do at the moment. With the material in his hands he could effect little or nothing against the vast mass of the enemy fronting Khartum. " Should we even succeed in getting out the Shaggiehs from Halfiyeh, it will be about the utmost we can do beyond annoying the enemy by skirmishing," he telegraphed to Sir E. Baring. " We can do nothing against the superiority in numbers. Happily you have three steamers at Berber to help any forward movement. Should you attack, do so before break of day, and fire low. Khartum is all right. I should not be able to help you at a greater distance