In the two letters,[129] Faki Mustapha says the English are prisoners at Assouan, and that the Arabs had captured Abbas with Stewart at Cataract Dar Djumna, below Abou Hamed, which would be dismal!
Arabs are keeping a long way off the lines since the cavalry sortie.
No sign of the arrival of the Mahdi at Omdurman. Very few horsemen to be seen on the South Front. Query, have they gone down towards Berber?
This evening, some twelve of those arrested and allowed to stay in their houses are to be taken to the barracks; I hate those arrests, but one can scarcely doubt so many informants, who declare there was “trahison” meditated, not from any wish to join Mahdi, but for fear I was not strong enough to hold the city, and owing to Awaan’s statement, that he had written the letters I had received from Debbeh announcing that the expeditionary force was coming.
The North side is like a market, with the camels, horses, sheep, goats, donkeys, of the Shaggyehs, who have come up from Halfeyeh, &c.
I confess I am more perplexed about these arrests than I like; is it a good thing? or is it not? If I could be sure that the majority wished to go to the Mahdi, I could make up my mind at once what to do; it would be an immense relief to me, but does the mass wish it? If they do not, I ought to take all precautions against such an event. Then comes the query. Am I not, in these arrests, being made a tool of by the Turkish and Cairo elements? Are they not gratifying spites? Paul said, “I have learned” (as in a school) “in whatsoever state I am to be content.” I can only say, “I am learning,” but have “not learned.”
No sign this evening in Faki Mustapha’s camp of the arrival of the Mahdi.
Heavy thunderstorm and rain this evening, which will be made out by the proselytes of Mahomet Achmet as a proof of his divine pretensions. It is rather bad for our mines.
October 15th.—No spies in—everything quiet. Some begin to doubt if Mahdi is so near.
People say I must have some news of relief, otherwise I would not have made the arrest of Mudir, Cadi and Sheikh el Islam, &c., &c.