BERBER LEET ALONE. 1 59 For this purpose he was authorized to make free use of money rewards or promises at his discretion. For example, he was at liberty to assign to Egyptian soldiers at Khartum sums for themselves and for persons brought with them per head, contingent on their safe arrival at Korosko, or whatever point he might consider a place of safety; or he might employ and pay the tribes in the neighbourhood to escort them. The government presumed that the Soudanese at Khartum were not in danger. In the event ot Gordon having despatched any persons or agents to other points, he was authorized to spend any money required for the purpose of recalling them or securing their safetv.

It had already been concluded that no immediate assistance could be sent to Berber. Nubar Pasha thought that the pressing demands of the o;overnor miht be answered bv sending two of the Egyptian battalions at Assouan, and 500 Ababdies collected for the purpose. The general, however, strongly objected to sending Egyptian troops alone, but thought it possible to send an Anglo-Egyptian force either across the Korosko desert, or if that were impossible because of the necessity for procuring a large number of camels, or in consequence of the difficulty of obtaining water, that they might go by Wady Haifa and Dongola. The least possible time that would be required, supposing they could start at once, would be eight weeks by the desert route, and sixteen weeks by that of Dongola. All that could be immediately done was to give the people at Berber an assurance that English aid would be sent to them as soon as practicable, and to prove that action had been taken by pushing on an Egyptian detachment to Korosko.

Mr. Egerton was of opinion, however, that it would be almost madness to run the risk of sending an English or Egyptian force by either route; and the government replied that they could not sanction an attempt to send English troops at that season, or to send an Egyptian force alone. Hassan Khalifa was therefore to be informed that no immediate assistance could be given him, as an expedition by the river could not arrive at Berber in 1 than sixteen weeks.

On the 10th of June intelligence was received of the fall oi