68 THE WAR IN THE SOUDAN.

put down General Gordon. If he was a Christian hero he ought not to require military operations to relieve him. Lord Galway expressed his opinion that the vote was a mere electioneering trick, and that the Government did not intend to spend a shilling of it. Sir J. Hay asked whether there was any truth in the rumour that a portion of the vote was to be spent on subsidizing the Abyssinians. Sir G. Campbell decidedly objected to a “ vote of principle ” which might involve the country in much larger expenditure.

On the day following the passing of the vote of credit, Gordon’s letter was telegraphed by Major Kitchener from Dongola, together with news more accurate than had lately been obtained. His despatch reads as follows :— “ Gordon’s letter, sent by post on the 2nd instant, contains the following : “ ‘ Khartoum and Senaar are still holding out. The bearer of this letter will give you full news of me. Give him all the uews you have, and tell him where the expedition is that is coming from Cairo, and the numbers of the soldiers coming. We have eight thousand soldiers at Khartoum. Give the messenger one hundred dollars. (Signed) C. G. Gordon.’

“It is sealed and dated 28th Shaaban.

“ The messenger returns to-day. He says that Gordon, Stewart and Power are quite well. The siege of Khartoum is still kept up, but the rebels have retired from their first positions. The rebel army is composed of 5,000 men under the Sheikh el Obeid, 2,000 with Sheikh Abu Gegah, and 3,000 with Sheikh el Buseer between the Niles. On the White Nile is the Sheikh Fadleh, with 3,000 men ; and the Sheikh Mustapha, with 3,000, is at Omdurman. Total, 16,000.

“ Gordon possesses seven armed steamers with which he makes attacks in every direction.

“Berber fell through the treachery of Hussein Pasha Khalifa, who let the rebels in. The soldiers fought after the entry of the rebels, but were slaughtered. Hussein Pasha Khalifa was not wounded.

“ This account is corroborated by thirteen soldiers who have arrived at Dongola from Berber, and who escaped after the fight.

“The people appear to want the old Government back, but are much afraid of the Mahdi’s Arabs.

“Gordon, with the help of three steamers and a part of the garrison, seized 5,000 quarters of maize from about 11,000 of the rebels. Gordon’s men waited till the rebels’ ammunition was finished, and then landed, and thoroughly routed the enemy and carried off the maize.”

Four facts were learned from this : The rebels had organized a system¬ atic warfare ; their influence was spreading ; they centred specially round Khartoum ; and Gordon was evidently expecting support.