WHAT GORDON WAS DOING. 1 6 Gordon, waiting for the despatches which did not reach him, had received no news from Sir E. Baring or Xubar Pasha between the 30th of March and the 30th of July when he telegraphed: — " The troops and people are full of heart; I cannot say the same for all the Europeans. The Arabs are in poor heart. I should say that about 2000 determined men alone keep them in the field.

I expect it will end in a terrible famine throughout the land. Spy yesterday stated the Queen of England had arrived at Korosko.

Perhaps it is a steamer. The only reinforcements the Soudan has received since the 27th of November, 1883 — date when Micks's defeat was known at Cairo, is seven persons, including myself! and we have sent down over 600 soldiers and 2000 people. The people here and Arabs laugh over it. I shall not leave Khartum till I can put some one in. If the Europeans like to go to the Equator, I will give them steamers, but I will not leave these people after all they have gone through.

As for routes, I have told you that the one from Wady Halla along right bank of Nile to Berber is the best, and, had not Berber fallen, would have been a picnic. The other route is from Senhit to Kassala, and to Abu Haraz, on Blue Nile, which would be safe up to Kassala, but I fear it is too late. We must fight it out with our own means: if blessed by God we shall succeed; if not, His will, so be it. The main thing is to send money to Kassala. Where is Wood? Kind regards to him and Generals Stephenson and Graham. Why write in cipher? It is useless, for Arabs have no interpreter.

Seyd Mahomet Osman, of Kassala, ought to be the route your despatches, and you ought to give him a present of £500, for he saved Kassala. We have made a decoration, with three degrees, silver-gilt, silver, and pewter, with inscription, 'Siege <'t Khartum,' with a grenade in centre. School children and wom have also received one; consequently I am very popular with I black ladies of Khartum. We have issued paper notes to amount of ,£26,000, and borrowed £50,000 from merchants, which you will have to meet. I have sent in addition £Sooo paper n< ' to Sennar. What Kassala is doing for money I do not know ;