But, Excellency, we are surrounded by the enemy on all sides; from the side of the Dukah, by the Shukryeh, by the Dhāniyeh, and by the Ja’alibiyeh: as on the side of the river, by the Rahbar; also by the Bukādi, and those rebels who follow them.
But by the influence of your Excellency no harm will come to us from them. Nor do we take account of him (the Mahdi); our Lord will make us victorious over him through the strength of the Government and the reputation of its power and majesty, from which we derive glory and honour, through your Excellency and the favour of the Khedive.
As to what we have enclosed about ——, we trust and pray for the answer. Including this time we have now written to you four times.
The messenger takes them (the letters) from here, and when he gets to Katarif, or Dukah, he finds liers in wait, and the rebels torment him on meeting him in the road.
This prevented us from writing lately, but we are in constant communication with the Mudiriyeh; and in that road we have lost two persons by (hands of) the rebels of Dhāniyeh and of Bukkād, on the road of Tumruk.
This for the information of your Excellency.
(Signed) Salehh Ibrahim,
Ma’amooor and Nāzir, of Kalabât (Galabât)
(District Inspector and Officer).
1 Zu’l Hejjeh, 1301.