One of the trying things of this existence is the way that one is waylaid as one goes out with petitions for dhoora, and howled at. These are the times when one feels amiably disposed towards the gentlemen who have ruled in Cairo for the last seven years.
November 2.—Those men I sent out ostensibly to the Arabs have given in, and I have let them back into town. I hate these coercive measures. But what is to be done? This frightening them is better than putting them in prison, or chaining them. No words are of any avail, or orders. Two dervishes with their weapons presented themselves before lines this morning, saying they had a letter from the Mahdi for me (at Mesalamieh Gate). I said, “Leave the letter and go back; I will not let you in. It is no use any more writing.”
The Arabs fired on the lines near the White Nile. We answered, and committed some damage, from all appearance; for the whole Dem turned out. I have forbidden all firing on the Arabs, unless they come so near as to injure our people; for I expect this vague firing is only performed by the captured soldiers to conform, in appearance, to the orders of the Arab chiefs.
Letter has come in;[180] it is an address to the whole town; it has no seal, the usual rubbish about the Mahdi being Mahdi, &c. A soldier came in from the Arabs at Omdurman; he says the Mahdi is not in the cave, but in a tent (very stupid man!) Some one has stolen 93,000 okes of biscuit; this robbery took place nearly a year ago, and was only found out two days ago. The people of the town wonder at one’s getting no information; the last I had was from Kitchener, dated 31st August, and received 17th September, now forty-six days ago. Had our people sent to Kassala viâ Massowah,[181] there is no doubt information could have got through, but it is no use saying any more on the subject. I suppose you acted according to “your conscience, best of your ability, and custom of war in like cases.”
3.30 p.m. Sentries off the roof of the North Fort again; sent over to have them flogged!
Rectified list of biscuit is 266,430 okes.
Dhoora is 2110 ardebs in magazine to-day—six weeks’ consumption!! and then the sponge must be thrown up.
I could write volumes of pent-up wrath on this subject if I did not believe things are ordained and all work for the best. I am not at all inclined to order half rations with a view to any prolongation of our blockade; if I did so, it would probably end in a catastrophe[182] before the time, in which, if full rations are given, we should have exhausted our supplies. I should be an angel (which I am not, needless to say) if I was not rabid with Her Majesty’s Government; but I hope I may be quiet on the subject of this Soudan and Cairo business, with its indecision; but to lose all my beautiful black soldiers is enough to make one angry with those who have the direction of our future.[183]
Arabs fired four rounds this evening towards the lines near White Nile, but did no harm (one shell fell in the town) with their Krupp.