I feel sure that the Mahdi comes with the idea of negotiating; if so, and one can have reasonable hope of success as to the extrication of the garrisons, I shall negotiate—for up to the present time, my original instructions are not abrogated, and I feel sure Her Majesty’s Government will not wish any longer campaign, than is necessary, in these parts, for their honour, but it must be remembered if, by negotiating, I get out the garrisons at the cost of the steamers, &c., &c., I must not be blamed if in the future, by the cession of the steamers and warlike material, Egypt suffers. Her Majesty’s Government gave me clear orders, i.e., “get out garrisons and evacuate”—these orders have not been cancelled and are in force. No official notice is given me of an advance of troops or of a change of policy; therefore I am justified in acting on my original instructions. Kitchener’s note is not sufficient to justify me in disobeying my regular instructions. Egerton’s telegram was not decipherable.
October 10.—The beginning of the year 1302 of the Arabs is on the 21st October. On the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd October were Hicks’s defeats. The Mahdi, bringing all the Europeans with him, makes his move look as if he were confident of his success ultimately. All information tends to show that his object is to starve us out. If the man would only drop his prophet’s functions, we might come to terms; but he will never do that, I fear. There is one good thing in the Mahdi’s coming here—he will be easy of access, if our Government wishes to communicate with him; and also if he is defeated there is an end of him, without going to Kordofan. I suppose our people at Debbeh must be aware of the whereabouts of the Mahdi at any rate.
It is an odd coincidence the advance of the Mahdi and of the expeditionary force at the same time, and to the same place (Armageddon).
I have 240 men at Omdurman, and it is pretty strong. It is not likely to be attacked; for if the Mahdi won it, he would not have gained Kartoum, though it would be a trouble, as it would discourage the people.
There is one bother, in any negotiations (which, however, I do not think possible), viz. how far one ought to go in re the steamers, and warlike store. If I had Zubair here it might be settled, but now the expedition is at Dongola it is a query what ought to be done.
I have lost seven guns, two on board each steamer, at Metemma, and one on board the Abbas.
This morning the Arabs fired six Krupp shells into the lines, which did not burst.
Not a large church parade either at Kalakla, South Front, or at Faki Mustapha, near Omdurman. Two men came in, one from south front with rifle, and one from Omdurman; the latter says the Mahdi will come to Omdurman either to-day or to-morrow, and will content himself with the investment of the place. He has with him all the Europeans, nuns and all. The Arabs meditate coming over to the old Dem, near Halfeyeh, but they say it will be the Arabs of Waled a Goun who will come, not those of the Sheikh el Obeyed; this is odd, and it would seem as if these two parties had fallen out. We know Sheikh el Obeyed did not agree with Abou Gugliz.
People do not appear a bit put out at the approach of the Mahdi; in fact they look on it as a good thing, for they say the affair will be ended here, and there will be no necessity to go to Kordofan.
A very little Arab boy, with large, black, limpid eyes, came in from the Arabs. He had been captured some months ago.