[173] Formerly General Gordon’s under secretary and secretary. He was of old and good family, and greatly respected by General Gordon, who said in 1879: “A few men like Berzati Bey would regenerate Egypt, but they are rare.”—Ed.
[174] Two of these horses returned to-day; as I expect the riders threw themselves off and let their horses loose, and that, too, at a distance so great that the Arabs did not see them!!!
[175] I am going to make them pay for twenty-two of the Remingtons, for it appears doubtful if they were captured, inasmuch as to-day they asked me to send the steamer down to look for them. I expect the men simply threw them down and bolted upon the appearance of the Arabs.
[176] See map on opposite page.—Ed.
[177] It was about this date that the recall of Lord Wolseley was generally rumoured at home and abroad. On the 10th of October this rumoured recall was officially contradicted. The ‘Times,’ however, said: “We have every confidence in the veracity and good information of our correspondent, but so incredible did his statement seem at first sight that we have made further inquiries, in order to be quite sure there was no mistake in its transmission.”—Ed.
[178] It is interesting to note how often General Gordon breaks away abruptly from a subject which is irritating him, and deals with one which has a touch of humour in it. He never does this when he is discussing or explaining any particular point; it is only when he is thoroughly annoyed with his subject that he suddenly leaves it.—Ed.
[179] General Gordon was in the habit of passing a great part of the day and of the night on the roof of his palace.—Ed.
[180] Appendix V.
[181] Massowah is only 466 miles from Kartoum, and less than half that distance from Kassala.—Ed.
[182] i.e. In mutiny or a stampede to the Mahdi. “The belly governs the whole world.”—Ed.