A PRIZE FOR THE FIRST THROUGH. 257 to last forty days, and that he had sent some steamers down the Nile towards Shendy to await the arrival of the expedition.

This will explain the anxiety of the commander to accelerate if possible the passage of the expedition and the arrival of the whole force at Dongola (El Ourdeh), where the headquarters and the camp had been formed previous to the occupation of Korti.

The result was that a prize of "ioo was offered to the battalion which should make the best passage from Sarras to Debbeh; and the following general order was issued: — " To the sailors, soldiers, and marines of the Nile Expedition. The relief of General Gordon and his garrison, so long besieged in Khartum, is the glorious mission which the queen has intrusted to us. It is an enterprise that will stir the heart of every soldier and sailor fortunate enough to have been selected to share in it, and the very magnitude of its difficulty only stimulates us to increased exertions. We are all proud of General Gordon and his gallant and self-sacrificinc: defence of Khartum, which has added, if possible, to his already high reputation. He cannot hold out many months longer, and he now calls upon us to save his garrison.

His heroism and his patriotism are household words wherever our language is spoken; and not only has his safety become a matter of national importance, but the knowledge that our brave comrade needs help, urges us to push forward with redoubled energy. Neither he nor his garrison can be allowed to meet the sad fate which befell his gallant companion in arms, Colonel Stewart, who, when endeavouring to carry out an enterprise of unusual clanger and folly, was treacherously murdered by his captors. We can — and with God's help will — save General Gordon from such a death. The labour of working up this river is immense, and to bear it uncomplainingly demands the highest soldierlike qualities, that contempt for danger, and that determination to overcome difficulty which in previous campaigns have so distinguished all ranks of her majesty's army and navy. The physical obstacles that impede our rapid progress are considerable; but who cares for them when it is remembered that General Gordon and his garrison are in danger.

Under God their safety is now in our hands, and come what may Vol. III. 63