The officer and sergeant who came in at Omdurman say the Mahdi with all Europeans, Hassan Khalifa, Saleh Pasha, and that Frenchman are opposite Kalakla, and that he means coming to Omdurman, that the Arabs are not in good heart.
The Saphia and the Mansowrrah ought to have laid off Berber, and prevented the exit of the Fascher when the Abbas went down, but I expect they only cared to come back here. I am much put out at the loss of those two boats. What one has felt so much here is the want of men like Gessi, or Massodaglia, or Slatin; but I have had no one to whom I could entrust expeditions like that. I do sincerely hope all Egyptians and Turks or Circassian officers and men may be taken out of the steamers and kept by you; it would be too bad to send them back to me.. I do not mean the captains or engineers of steamers. Twenty-two wounded men were brought to the hospital (four were gravely wounded) from Shendy steamer. I wish you to take command of steamers, but do not let any Khedival authority do so, for he will certainly be bribed to let back the Egyptians. Please acknowledge the receipt of the Journal, of which this is Vol. 4. As far as my experience goes, there are not more contemptible troops, officers, and men than the Egyptians, so beware of them, and, with scarcely an exception, all Turks and Circassians in Egyptian employ are emasculated.
I have prepared to clear out of the Palace, and have five houses ready for occupation. I hope Cuzzi’s baggage will be searched, for I feel sure he is a traitor. A slave came in this evening from Waled al Goun with the usual story of the near approach of the Mahdi; that Arabs want food; that regulars mean to desert when they get an opportunity. With the reiterated request that I may not have any Egyptians, Turks, or Circassians sent back to me, I end this Journal.
C. G. Gordon.
20/10/84.
The sunset to-night ends the year 1301, and begins 1302.
BOOK V.
On outside wrapper (handkerchief):