The guns we fired yesterday were (in rejoicing at) news of the coming army.
Therefore the first and best thing (for you to do) is to consider the news sent you herein enclosed, and arise and go back to your places with whatever you have of guns and such like, as the air is bad here. But Sheikh Ibrahim Abd-el-Kader may remain in his place as his home is in the neighbourhood of Kalakla, and as he is one of our friends and an owner of crops in this district.
But if you do not listen to this advice, one of these days you will arise in the morning and find yourselves in a tremendous earthquake.[274]
As for the cannon you fired at us yesterday, they killed about 20,000 of our soldiers, so that we were altogether tired out with burying the dead, and this is as war should be.
After writing this we received your last letter, and as you do not accept the advice, remain where you are with Sheikh Abd-el-Kader as you now are.
Gordon Pasha in Kartoum.
(Signed) C. G. Gordon.
Date 2nd Zu’l Hejjeh, 1301.
Aug. 24, 1884