126 A summary of the predicament of entering this dry forest and of the two great officers. Some say that this was undoubtedly the intention of the English in executing us, and of the remaining ones who were martyred, confirming the death that would befall them inside the forest. And tongues generally began to criticize what came to the owner's mind, whether good or bad. In reality, if the Almighty had not willed victory and had blinded the hearts of our enemies, the lives of this army, comprising approximately fifteen thousand souls, five thousand camels, and a thousand horses and mules, would have depended on a single spark. If it had ignited these dry bushes, it would not have taken long for it to claim the lives of the entire army. So, praise be to Him to whom all praise is due for this great blessing. After this, we no longer thought of our enemies, hoping for the Almighty's satisfaction in this manner. And this night passed between "what was" and "what will be" until the morning of blessed Sunday, October 21, 1883, dawned. We were determined to set out for the wells, praising the Lord for saving us from the calamity of that night (the name of the hill is Al-Thina). On blessed Sunday, October 21, 1883, at 12 Arab o'clock in the morning, we set out from Al-Thina, heading for Khor Al-Balyat. While we were on our way, I received news from His Excellency Abbas Bey that last night, at 2 Arab o'clock, Mr. Eff, the interpreter for His Excellency General Hicks Pasha, had arrived and informed him of the necessity of detaining the experts that night and preventing them from engaging in combat. When His Excellency saw this, he informed them. They were surprised that nothing had happened to warrant their detention. He told them not to worry about anything, and that as long as their detention was at the knowledge of His Excellency the Hakdar, he would be responsible for them. And as long as that was the case, they should be brought to His Excellency to inform him of this matter. And so it was, and they went. By chance, His Excellency General Hicks Pasha was present. After the conversation, he was informed about the experts and inquired about it. He did not simply dismiss it, but rather ordered that they be attended to so that they would not leave the camp. His Excellency the Hakdar informed him that this was incorrect, because it was not he who had brought them and taken responsibility for them, and that he had not seen any treachery from them so far. And what would happen if they betrayed us? If you consider them untrustworthy, this should be communicated.