LEFT ALONE. 101 Fearlessly, however, the expedi im to Berber is commenced. It is no ordinary excursion this. Berber is more than two hundred miles from Khar¬ toum, Merawi is nearly another two hundred further. Luckily it is down stream, they have good pilots, and the steamers are well armed. It shall be done. Ammunition in abundance is placed on board, provisions are packed, the men are told off, and Colonel Stewart and Mr. Power undertake to bring back news, if nothing else.

This is the boldest venture yet made. It looks as though release were possible. An expedition that has for its goal a point four-hundred miles from the place of imprisonment is a sort of communication with all that is going on outside. Those who accompany it will see another English face perhaps, will be greeted with English greetings, and will hear words of encouragement and hope. They will be able to tell all about their hardships, their battles, the bravery of the loyal little garrison that has stood firm all these months, but also of the longing for help, and of the hope that, so long deferred, was making sick the hearts of the poor blacks. What may not be the results of such a journey? They will be able to telegraph to England itself. The men who have for so long been fighting for their lives will be able now to tell the true state of affairs, will show how urgently help is needed to extricate those poor forlorn men and women shut up at Khartoum, and perhaps will bring back strong, brave, white soldiers to fight for them. Truly a noble expedi¬ tion.

The people come down to the river bank to see them start. Surely they will be successful. They have done wonders heretofore. They will do wonders again.—Ah ! treachery, treachery was on their path.

The rest of the story is short. Down the river they bravely fought their way, undaunted by the numbers that sought to stop them. Behind them they left a town which patiently but anxiously awaited their return. Before them lay unknown help. Nothing will stop them. Day and night they travel, overcoming every obstacle. Berber is reached in safety. No friends here, only more enemies. There is nothing for it but to push on for the next two hundred mi'es. But first they shell the town and thoroughly intimidate their foes. Here too it is determined that all the steamers cannot be spared to go so far from Khartoum. So all are sent back but one. This one with Colonel Stewart, Mr. Power, and forty men, will accomplish the rest of the journey. Fatal error. The rescuers thought more of those they were to rescue than they did of themselves. All too brave a band. Not far from Berber the solitary steamer struck upon a rock. Here indeed was a dilemma. There was no going back, and there was no going forward. Still there is a ray of hope. A friendly man of the name of Suleiman Wad Gamr comes on board, and generously offers to aid the party as much as is in his power to