266 EGYPT AND THE SOUDAN.

river in the whalers, was to continue to lead the advance, with Colonel Eyre in command.

On the 29th Major-general Brackenbury was ready to start, following half a troop of the 19th Hussars under Captain Aylmer, 26 of all ranks, and thirty horses, who marched to overtake the battalion of the Staffords and a detachment of the 26th company of engineers, who had embarked by river on the previous day.

Before starting Major-general Brackenbury went to say good-bye to Sir Herbert Stewart and Mr. St. Leger Herbert, both of whom had served with him in South Africa and who were old and esteemed friends, Sir Herbert Stewart having succeeded him as military secretary to Lord Wolseley, and St. Leger Herbert having been his companion in Cyprus. They were never to meet again in this world.

General Gordon's letter of the 4th of November already referred to contained on the reverse side the names of the Europeans who went with Colonel Stewart in the steamer from Khartum, and in reference to this the letter said, " I sent Colonel Stewart, Power, and Herbin down, telling them to give you all information. With Colonel Stewart was the journal of all events from 1 st March to the 10th September. The steamer carried a gun and had a good force on board." Then, in reference to the steamers sent to Shendy : "With steamers are my journals from 10th September to date with all details and map of Berber." Other paragraphs of the letter, which was somewhat of a series of detached jottings in Gordon's peculiar manner, said : — " Mahcli says he will not fight during this month, Moharram. "With him are all the Europeans, nuns, &c; rumoured all are become Mussulmen. Slatin is there; Lupton, Mahcli says, has surrendered.

"Since 10th March we have had up to date, exclusive of Kitchener's, 14th October, only two despatches: one, Dongola, with no date; one from Suakim, 5th May; one of some [? same] import, 27th April.

" I have sent out a crowd of messengers in all directions during eight months.