Great JMortality through Famine. 409 Governor, who was entirely ignorant of the catastrophe which had overtaken us. Up to to-day the deaths of more than four hundred and tliirty persons have been ascertained, and some of the few survivors die daily, for they are not as carefully nursed as they ought to be.

Accepting the hospitality of our Consular Agent, I acquired, thanks to his care, a little strength, and I hope within two Aveeks to be perfectly recovered and able to leave for Europe, after an absence of three years and a half, during which time I have been constantly active. After so much fatigue some rest is absolutely indispensable.

" On the way to Fashoda, January 11th, 1881.

"Deak Dk. Junkek, " On the 25th September, 1880, I left Meshra-el-Rek to go to Khartoum ; but what misfortunes ensued !

" The inability of the steamer to break through the bars of vegetable flotsam on the river, and the incapacity of the captain, were the cause of all the misfortunes that I describe to you below. The captain, who was not even a sailor, having been a simple turner in the arsenal at Khartoum, owed his post to his wife, who was the mistress of Raouf Pasha.

" Everyone says that Gordon's absence is much felt ; the slave traders have recommenced their infamous commerce with renewed courage, favoured by Raouf Pasha, and it is extremely necessary that a European should be made Governor-General of the Soudan. Raouf Pasha has taken from me the ' The then Vice-Govomor was a certain Giglev, who was quite aware of the state of the river. — Felix Gessi.