Burton then wrote to Gordon, urging him to write a book on his experiences in Equatorial Africa, and asking what his intentions were about returning. In his reply Gordon first broaches the idea which he afterwards returned to again and again—namely, that Burton should take up work in Egypt.
“7, Cecil Street, Strand, January 12, 1877.
“My dear Captain Burton,
“Thank you for your kind note. Gessi wrote to me from Trieste, dating his letter only ‘Trieste,’ and I replied to that address, so I suppose the post-office know him. Yes; I am back, but I have escaped persecution. Wilson[28] I have heard nothing of. I have not the least intention of publishing anything.[29] My life and work there was a very humdrum one; and, unlike you, I have no store of knowledge to draw on. (I may tell you your book was thought by us all out in Africa as by far the best ever written.) I am not going back to H. H. It is a great pang to me, I assure you; but it is hopeless, hopeless work. Why do not you take up the work? You may not be so sensitive as I am.
“Good-bye, and believe me,
“Yours very truly,
“C. G. Gordon.”
Gordon duly returned to Egypt, for the Khedive held him to his promised word. He was made Governor-General of the Soudan, Darfur, and the Equatorial Provinces, which were now reunited into one great whole. It was necessary for good administration that Gordon should have three governors under him, one for the Soudan proper, one for the Equatorial Provinces, and one for Darfur. As soon as Gordon had arranged matters with the Khedive and entered upon his Governor-Generalship he wrote to Burton, offering him the post of Governor-General of Darfur.
“Oomchanga, Darfur, June 21, 1877.
“My dear Captain Burton,