September 25.—Arabs came down to the Blue Nile in some force, but the Mansowrah going up, and our men pushing along the bank, they all fled. I am going to Halfeyeh to see the Shaggyeh, who are the worry of my heart. Having gone down, I found a very fair market, and the Shaggyehs less irritating than I expected to find them.
Question. What was the policy of her Majesty’s Government in sending up General Gordon?
Answer. To endeavour to retire the garrisons by quiet means.
Question. What is the object of General Earle’s expedition?
Answer. The same. General Gordon having failed.
Question. If General Earle’s expedition is for the retreat of General Gordon and ends there, what is the result?
Answer. Her Majesty’s Government agree that they abandon the garrisons.
There is no possible escape from the situation.
According to accounts from Bourré, the Arabs had come down in some force at night, and had hid in villages near Bourré, meaning to fall upon our foraging parties; they did not bargain for the Mansowrah coming up with her two guns, and so caught a Tartar when they emerged to attack our men, and went off in great confusion and some loss.