I hope I am not going down to History as being the cause of this expedition, for I decline the imputation. The expedition comes up to deliver the garrisons.[104] I think it would read well in history: “Her Majesty’s Government having accepted duties in Egypt, and consequently in the Soudan, sent up a force to restore tranquillity, which, having been done, Her Majesty’s Government handed over that government of the Soudan to the Sultan.”
Our people may try as they like, they can never govern Egypt and pay the interest; combine with France, and let down the interest to 3 per cent., which we cannot do without France agreeing.
As for any of the men in Cairo now pretending to govern, it is useless; they know nothing of, and have no sympathy with, the country. What can they know of the country, sitting at Cairo? What the people want, is half taxes, and Censors going through provinces remedying evils. Do away with Wood’s army, an useless expense. Do away with three-fourths of European employés, railway, &c., &c.—cormorants!—ditto Gendarmerie.
I shall send out three men in different directions to-morrow to Debbeh, with further notifications that three steamers, and each with two field-guns, are at Metemma, Shendy, 150 miles from Ambukol, which is 35 miles higher up river than Debbeh, waiting orders of expeditionary force, and saying Cuzzi’s baggage is to be searched. I have now done all I can. In ten days’ time I shall send a steamer to Metemma with further information. The attempt to fire the magazine has made me vicious with the people. No one in from Arabs to-day. Query, ominous!
October 4.—The boiler will be put in the new steamer (sister to Abbas) to-day. She will be ready for sea in six days.
Report from Cassim el Mousse late last night. Arabs say Sheikh el Obeyed meditates an attack on Halfeyeh. The trouble these Shaggyeh have given us is beyond description.
Ibrahim Bey Ruckdi, loq. Lutraim: “He called for me at (9 p.m.) 3! in the night; he bullied me to work. Can you imagine such a thing?—it is preposterous. He flew at me like a tiger, because I showed he was unreasonable. It is Bairam too: can you imagine such a thing?”
Awaan, Arabi’s clerk, has been telling, in the town, that the letters I got saying, “Her Majesty’s troops are advancing,” were written by him and sent down, and then returned. There is an evident wish to take off his head; but I think he is more fool than knave, and shall try and resist the wish of town.
Saleh Pasha’s son telegraphed to me he wanted to come and see me. I answered he might come or go, as he liked. He said, what did I mean by “go?” I was much tempted to say, “Go to your father, who is in chains with Mahdi,” but resisted temptation, and said, “Go out of telegraph station.”