THE SIEGE AND FALL OF KHARTUM 21 fast that the cargo had to be at once transferred to the Bordein. During the confusion these two conspirators escaped, and, through the intermediation of their friends, they succeeded in securing the Mahdi's pardon, and returned subsequently to Khartum. Here they were well received and publicly commended by the Mahdi for having inflicted loss on their enemies, the British. Abdel Hamid, in spite of being a hated Shaigia, and a relative of Saleh Wad el Mek, was presented by the Mahdi with his own jibba, as a mark of honour, and, moreover, several of his female relatives who, after the sack of the town, had been distributed amongst the Emirs, were given back to him.

Meanwhile, the Bordein, on its return journey towards Metemmeh, struck on a sand-bank, and, being heavily > laden, could not be floated off. Sir Charles Wilson's position was now very critical. With his small force he could not have attempted to land on the west bank and attack the enemy, which was entrenched at Wad Habeshi, between him and the British camp at Gubat. It is true that the courage of this body of Dervishes had been considerably shaken by the defeat at Abu Klea, but the fall of Khartum, and the knowledge that Wad en Nejumi with a large force was advancing north to their support, now transformed them into a formidable enemy. A third steamer, the Sofia, was still at Gubat. Sir Charles Wilson therefore sent an officer down stream in a small boat to ask for help. The appeal was promptly responded to, the Safia starting,