THE MUDIR OF DONGOLA. MURDER OF STEWART. I 69 open communications with Dongola, and in order to carry on the necessary discussions in connection with the Soudan."

This intention of sending Stewart and Power to Berber in order to open communications with Dongola and to carry on the necessary discussions in connection with the Soudan, was confirmed in a message which he sent to Nubar Pasha on the 23d of August, saying that he had appointed the three steamers to inspect the situation of Sennar and to discover its needs. On their return he intended to detail a military force from Khartum composed of 2000 men and send it by steamers to Berber to retake it from the hands of the rebels, with provisions for two months only. With that force he proposed to send Stewart and all the consuls. The troops and the camels were to remain at Berber after its recapture, while Stewart went on to Dongola by a small boat, specially appointed for the voyage, that he might hold a parley on the Soudan question. It was believed afterward that Gordon, having determined that he would not desert the people at Khartum, and knowing that the result was doubtful, took this opportunity of giving the chance of liberty to the companions who would not otherwise have sought their own safety by leaving him. The scheme of retaking Berber was, at all events, not an impossible enterprise; and there was good reason to suppose that the party would reach Dongola, where the mudir was holding out loyally, and on the 23d of July was reported to have defeated 5000 rebels near Debbeh.

Alas!, the expedition came to a tragic end. On the Toth of September the detachment marched, and when the position ot the rebels had been taken and destroyed the main body returned to Khartum, while Stewart, Power, and about forty others steamed down the river for Dongola.

It was a disheartening story, of which Major Kitchener sent home the report in the first days of October. It was not till the end of the month that the terrible news was confirmed, but then it was known that the whole party had perished by the hands of the enemy, Stewart and Power having been massacred with the others. By that time — the end of October — Lord Wolseley,