The British Campaign in the Soudan. 189 Berber, and Dongola, with the certainty that you will eventually be forced to smash up the Mahdi under great difficulties if you would retain peace in Egypt.’

‘* The documents include a telegram from Colonel O. H. Stewart to Sir Evelyn Baring, in which he says: ‘ General Gordon has acquainted me with your intention not to relieve Khartoum. It is proposed that I shall go to Berber, trusting to the success of your negotiations for the opening of the Suakim and Berber route. Doubting, however, success, so far as the Berber road is concerned, unless it is opened by advancing troops, I am inclined to think my retreat safer by way of the equator, and shall, therefore, follow General Gordon’s fortunes.’ ” Still the Ministry seemed unable to decide upon any course, and Gordon’s appeals remained unheeded. Some of them were deeply pathetic. In one of a later date he Says: ‘* How many times have we written asking for reinforcements, and calling your serious attention to the Soudan, and no answer came? Men’s hearts become weary of delay. While you are eating, and drinking, and resting in good beds, we and those with us, soldiers and servants, are watching night and day, trying to quell the movement of the Mahdi.”

It certainly seems that a strange indifference to Gordon’s fate was exhibited at that time by the government. It was officially stated in the House of Commons that he had no orders to remain in Khartoum if he found his mission impracticable, and that he was perfectly free to return when he thought proper; a declaration which seems like bitter mockery in view of his perilous situation ; for at that very time a number of non-combatants that he had attempted to send to Lower Egypt for safety were massacred at Shendy with their escort of 500 soldiers. After Graham commenced hostilities at Suakim in March, there was no time when Gordon could have escaped northward beyond Berber, for his steamers could navigate no farther, and the insurgent tribes held all the country below. A reference to the debates in Parliament on this question shows the position taken by the Ministry :