AT KHARTOUM. 45

CHAPTER XI.

AT KHARTOUM.

“ Khartoum is a city numbering between fifty and sixty thousand people. Several European consuls reside here. The European colony is small and continually changing ; Khartoum is a perfect grave-yard for Europeans, and

Iti the rainy season for natives also, the mortality averaging then from thirty

to forty per day, which implies three thousand to four thousand for the season. Khartoum is the commercial centre for the Soudan trade, amounting alto¬ gether to sixty-five million dollars a year, and carried on by one thousand European and three thousand Egyptian commercial houses. There are large hagans, in which is found a much greater variety of European and Asiatic

goods than would be expected in such distant regions. In the spacious market-place a brisk trade is carried on in cattle, horses, camels, asses, sheep,

as well as grain, fruit, and other agricultural produce.”

Here General Gordon arrived on the morning of February the 18th, 1884. The telegraphic despatches reporting his actions and movements on reaching the seat of government are at this date sufficiently full to quote :—

“ Khartoum, Feb. 18, 3.30 p.m. “ General Gordon’s arrival here this morning led to a wonderful demon¬ stration of welcome by the people, thousands of them crowding to kiss his hands and feet, and calling him the ‘ Sultan of the Soudan.’

“ His speech to the people was received with enthusiasm. He said :— “ 11 come without soldiers, but with God on my side, to redress the evils

of the Soudan. I will not fight with any weapon but justice. There shall be

no more Bashi-Bazouks.’

“ It is now believed that he will relieve the Bahr Gazelle garrisons with¬

out firing a shot.

Since they heard that he was coming the aspect of the people has so

changed that there are no longer any fears of disturbances in the town. They say that he is giving them more than even the Mahdi could give.

“ He is sending out proclamations in all directions. “ Such is the influence of one man that there are no longer any fears for the garrison or people of Khartoum.

“Feb. 19, 4.30p.m. “Yesterday was one series of acceptable surprises for the people of

Khartoum.