“Excellency,—You are aware that the object of your arrival here, and of your mission to the Soudan is to carry into execution the evacuation of those territories, and to withdraw our troops, civil officials, and such of the inhabitants, together with their belongings, as may wish to leave for Egypt. We trust that your Excellency will adopt the most effective measures for the accomplishment of your mission in this respect, and that, after completing the evacuation, you will take the necessary steps for establishing an organized Government in the different provinces of the Soudan, for the maintenance of order, and the cessation of disasters, and incitement to revolt. We have full confidence
in your tried abilities and tact, and are convinced that you will accomplish your mission according to your desire.”
This was hardly in harmony with a telegram from Lord Granville who said that “undertaking military expeditions was beyond the scope of the Commission he held, and at variance with the pacific policy which was the purpose of his mission to the Soudan.” Between the Khedive’s instructions and commission to Gordon, and his holding commission as an officer of the Crown, Gordon was in a very difficult position, and those who have blamed Mr. Gladstone, for what they may have been pleased to call “desertion of Gordon,” should acquaint themselves with all the circumstances of the case before doing so, and when all is known, such blame will be withheld.
Gordon, without lingering in Cairo, hastened to cross the desert and get to Khartoum as quickly as possible. Thus our hero went forth with a gallantry never surpassed, if ever equalled. He rode his camel across that land of storm and drought, trusting only in Him, who had so often “covered his defenceless head, beneath the shadow of His wing.”
CHAPTER VII.
“Not all who seem to fail have failed indeed,
Not all who fail have therefore worked in vain;
There is no failure for the good and wise;
What though the seed should fall by the way-side,
And the birds snatch it; yet the birds are fed,
Or they may bear it far across the tide
To give rich harvests after thou art dead.”Kingsley.
Sir E. Baring wired to Lord Granville, “The interview between Gordon and the Khedive was very satisfactory.” Again—“Gordon leaves Cairo in good spirits.”
His arrival at Khartoum, it is stated, was marked by wonderful demonstrations of welcome by the people; thousands of them pressing towards him to kiss his feet: calling him the “Sultan of the Soudan.” His first speech was received with the wildest enthusiasm. He said, “I come not with soldiers but with God on my
side, to redress the wrongs of the Soudan.” The day after he held a levee at the palace, when vast multitudes thronged around him, kissing the ground on which he walked, calling him “Father,” “Sultan,” “Saviour.” He appreciated highly their apparent loyalty and devotion, and he had offices opened at once where everyone who had a grievance might bring it, have it heard and judged.
The Government books recording the outstanding debts of the over-taxed people, were publicly burned in the presence of thousands of onlookers; the kourbasher, whips, and implements of torture were thrown down upon the blazing pile: thus the evidence of debts, and the emblems of oppression perished together in the presence of an almost frenzied people! Next Gordon visited the prisons; there he found dreadful dens of misery; over two hundred poor starving emaciated beings were confined therein; some bound with chains: some mere boys, some old men and women. Many of them were there simply on suspicion, and had never had a hearing. The cases were quickly and carefully enquired into, and before sunset that day, most