The Arabs have eighteen boats plying as ferry from one side of the White Nile to the other. They may try with these boats to get hold of the Husseinyeh, or else to board her; there are only some bags of biscuits on board; but as the steamer is blinded, if Arabs once get on board, it would be very difficult to dislodge them, unless we sink the steamer, for they will find the biscuit and so have plenty to eat. Fifteen shells fell into the town this morning, but did no harm.
Nearly all the Arab force which came on the north side to-day were slaves, with them perhaps forty horsemen Arabs. Eventually the Arabs will find out the inconvenience of these Mamelukes.[230] Four bullets came from the Arabs to the Palace to-day—2800 yards—and came with a good force. A native of Kartoum came and complained he had had nothing to eat for himself and family for four days; they found eight ardebs of dhoora in his house; in another house forty ardebs were found.
November 14.—8 a.m. The Arabs on both sides of the Blue Nile began firing on Bourré at 5.30 a.m., and it is going on now. They kept up for more than quarter of an hour a continuous roll of fire, and have wasted a precious lot of ammunition. They brought down one of their guns and fired a few rounds. Up to this time no one is wounded at Bourré.
Two men crossed from Omdurman, and report Ferratch Ullah as all right, and as having no men wounded in the fort. The Arabs fired their guns on the fort this morning.
An Arab tried to swim off to the Husseinyeh, whom (they say?) our men shot.
I wonder where King John is, with his 200,000 soldiers?
I argue thus: 1. It would be impossible for the Expeditionary Force, once having come to Dongola, not to move up to Metemma, or to the vicinity of Berber. 2. That once at Metemma, or at Berber, they will find the steamers, and consequently must communicate with Kartoum. 3. Once they communicate with Kartoum they must assume the responsibility of the government of that place (of course, when once that responsibility is assumed, the decision as to what they will do rests with them).
4. It is impossible for them to loiter long on the road between Dongola (or Debbeh) and Metemma.
5. It will be impossible for them, owing to the events of the last few days,[231] to avoid collision with the Arabs around Kartoum. A week ago it might have been possible, but now the Arabs are too close to the town to avoid it. Omdurman Fort being cut off will oblige action being taken to re-open communications. The Arabs may run away, but, somehow, since a few days, I doubt it.
A soldier came in from the North Fort from the Arabs this morning.