THE PROJECT ABANDONED. 1 95 to be attached to the iron sleepers by a simple grip; the sleepers, being formed of -inch iron plates bent into an " M section," were 6 inches wide and 3 feet long. This form of line had been amply tested by use at the arsenal and other dockyards for conveying heavy stores and trucks. Carriages 6 feet wide could safely run upon it with 15 or 20 horse-power engines by means of a short under-carriage in frequent joints which enabled a train to turn sharp curves. It was understood that the entire line could be laid in a few weeks, and though no announcement was made by the government the continued despatch of material and stores to Suakim was sufficient evidence that the railway so long talked of was to be constructed, and that an advance to Berber was contemplated for the rescue of Gordon and the relief of Khartum.

There is no need further to describe the provisions made for constructing this line, for it never was laid. Apparently in order that no time should be lost, the material had been transported on the probability of the Suakim-Berber route being determined on; and when, a few days afterwards, all efforts for concentrating supplies, guns, ammunition, and provisions were directed to Alexandria and Cairo, it was equally obvious that the proposed railwayhad been abandoned and that the expedition would go by the Nile after all — a conclusion which was manifested bv the orders given for providing a large number of whale-boats and other vessels of light draught suitable for the conveyance of troops and provisions beyond the first cataracts. As a matter of fact little more was heard of the Suakim-Berber railway. The idea of making Suakim a base of operations was entirely relinquished, and it was so< 11 understood that the railway plant and materials would be reshipped and utilized either in India or at the Cape.

On the 13th of June intelligence came from Korosko which seemed to settle the matter of the route. According to the testimony of an Arab, who said he had been captured by the rebels in endeavouring to escape from Berber, — Cuzzi, who had escaped with him, had turned Moslem, and had been compelled to prof< a belief in the Mahdi and to adopt his uniform of a white loosesleeved smock, decorated with a fancy border and three coloure I