Camel Regiment at Jakdul was relieved by a strong detachment of the Royal Sussex, and went on with the column to Abu Klea. APPENDIX VII. GENERAL GORDON to the Officer Commanding H.M. Troops. "KARTOUM, 20 Oct. '84. "Sir, I have sent the steamers 'Saphia,' 'Mansourah,' 'Bordeen,' 'Talataween,' 'Tewfikia,' down towards Berber, to aid you. On board these steamers are officers and men of Egyptian army. I request: "1. You will take charge of the steamers (though I would not recommend you to change the captains, the reis or steersmen, or the crews). "2. That you will take out of those steamers all Egyptian officers and soldiers. I make you a present of these hens, and request you will not let one come back here to me. I include in this list of prescribed all ranks, Pachas, Beys, &c., &c. "3. I request YOU will take charge of these LETTER FROM GENERAL GORDON. 307 steamers, and not allow any nominee of Tewfik Pacha to interfere with you in this matter. "The officers and soldiers of Egypt have been paid, or their pay has been regulated, so you will have no difficulty on that score. "If you do not use the steamers, at least take out the hens and send them back empty. "You will find that the steamers are well supplied with ammunition, &c. "If you choose to put black troops on board, they will be welcome, but not these heroes of Tel-el-Kebir.-I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant, C. G. GORDON. "Officer Commanding APPENDIX VIII. Letter addressed by MUHAMMED AHMED to the British and Shagiyeh officers on board the steamers returning from Khartum. Dated 11 Rabia the second, 1302 (January 28th 1885). "In the name of God the Merciful, the Compassionate. Praise be to the Bountiful Sovereign, and blessings be upon our Lord Muhammed and on his family. From the servant who stands in need of God, and on whom he places dependence, Muhammed the Mahdi, son of Abdullah, to the British and Shagiyeh officers, and their followers: -God direct them to the truth. Surrender and you will be spared. Do not disobey, else you will rue it. And I will briefly inform you, perchance God Almighty may put you upon the path of the righteous. Know then that the city of Khartum and its surroundings are like the garrison of a stronghold; God has destroyed it and other places by our hands; nothing can withstand His power and might; and by the bounty of God all has come into our hands. As you have become a small remnant, like a leaflet, within our grasp, two alternatives are offered to you. If you surrender and prevent the shedding of your blood and the blood of God's creatures who are under your leadership, well and good: grace and security from God and His Prophet, and security from us will be upon you. But if you do not believe what we have said, and desire to ascertain the truth of the killing of Khartum,1 send a special envoy on 1 The Mahdi's letter bears traces of having been hurriedly written, and "Khartum" has been erroneously written for "Gordon," as the word translated "killing" is only used for killing a man or animal. LETTER FROM THE MAHDI. 309 You your part to see the truth of what we say: and to your envoy is given the security of God and His Prophet, till he comes to us and sees and returns under a guard from us, to see and be warned of God, even as God says: 'If any one of the polytheists seek help of thee, help him that he may learn the word of God Almighty.' are offered the alternative of fighting or surrendering to the command of God, and returning unto Him. Were it not for pity for you we would not write to you in this manner; and if you pay heed, on receipt of this my letter to you, fear nothing, for nothing will happen to you after the (granting) of the security of God and His Prophet to you; but if you refuse you shall taste evil, in that you turn away from the pathway of God to the torment of the other world. For it is known that victory is unto the believers, even as God has promised them in His revealed Book. Do not be deceived and put confidence in your steamers and other things, and delay deciding until you rue it; but rather hasten to your benefit and profit before your wings are cut. Much reasoning will not convert; for it is God who converts, and He who lets go astray, and thou wilt find no ruler over Him. What has been said is enough for him who has been reached by 1. MUHAMMED AHMED, the Mahdi, son of Abdullah, to KHASHM EL MUS, and the Soldiers on the steamers, dated 18th Moharrem 1302 (6th November 1884). Extract. "Do not think I seek your property. If you surrender you will be forgiven. I am the expected Mahdi, the successor of your Prophet. He who does not believe in me and follow me shall suffer in this world and the next. I am promised the kingdom of all the earth. You have seen my victories whilst weak and poor. Now I have the arms taken from Rashid Bey, Wad Shalalu, and 1 This is the date of the cutting of the seal; it is probably antedated, as Muhammed Ahmed had not declared his mission in 1293. |