ThereisanancienttraditionintheMohammedanworld，tellingofamysteriousbeing，thelastinsuccessionofthetwelveholyImams，who，untouchedbydeathandwithdrawnintotherecessesofamountain，wasdestined，attheappointtedhour，tocomeforthagainamongmen。HistitlewastheMahdi，theguide；somebelievedthathewouldbetheforerunneroftheMessiah；othersbelievedthathewouldbeChristhimself。AlreadyvariousMahdishadmadetheirappearance；severalhadbeenhighlysuccessful，andtwo，inmedievaltimes，hadfoundeddynastiesinEgypt。Butwhocouldtellwhetherailthesewerenotimpostors？MightnotthetwelfthImambestillwaiting，inmysticalconcealment，readytoemerge，atanymoment，atthebiddingofGod？ThereweresignsbywhichthetrueMahdimightberecognised——unmistakablesigns，ifonecouldbutreadthemaright。Hemustbeofthefamilyoftheprophet；hemustpossessmiraculouspowersofnocommonkind；andhispersonmustbeoverflowingwithapeculiarsanctity。Thepiousdwellersbesidethosedistantwaters，whereholymenbydintofaconstantrepetitionofoneoftheninety-ninenamesofGod，securedtheprotectionofguardianangels，andwheregroupsofdevotees，shakingtheirheadswithaviolencewhichwouldunseatthereasonoflessathleticworshippers，attainedtoanextraordinarybeatitude，heardwithaweoftheyoungpreacherwhosesaintlinesswasalmostmorethanmortalandwhosemiraclesbroughtamazementtothemind。Washenotalsoofthefamilyoftheprophet？Hehimselfhadsaidso，andwhowoulddisbelievetheholyman？Whenheappearedinperson，everydoubtwassweptaway。
Therewasastrangesplendourinhispresence，anoverpoweringpassioninthetorrentofhisspeech。Greatwasthewickednessofthepeople，andgreatwastheirpunishment！SurelytheirmiserieswereavisiblesignofthewrathoftheLord。Theyhadsinned，andthecrueltaxgatherershadcomeamongthem，andthecorruptgovernors，andalltheoppressionsoftheEgyptians。Yetthesethings，’Too，shouldhaveanend。TheLordwouldraiseuphischosendeliverer；theheartsofthepeoplewouldbepurified，andtheirenemieswouldbelaidlow。TheaccursedEgyptianwouldbedrivenfromtheland。Letthefaithfultakeheartandmakeready。
Howsoonmightnotthelong-predestinedhourstrike，whenthetwelfthImam，theguide，theMahdi，wouldrevealhimselftotheworld？’Inthathour，therighteous’Wouldtriumphandtheguiltybelaidlowforever。’SuchwastheteachingofMohammedAhmed。A
bandofenthusiasticdisciplesgatheredroundhim，eagerlywaitingfortherevelationwhichwouldcrowntheirhopes。Atlast，themomentcame。Oneevening，atAbbaIsland，takingasidetheforemostofhisfollowers，theMasterwhisperedtheportentousnews。HewastheMahdi。
TheEgyptianGovernor-GeneralatKhartoum，hearingthatareligiousmovementwasafoot，grewdisquieted，anddispatchedanemissarytoAbbaIslandtosummontheimpostortohispresence。Theemissarywascourteouslyreceived。MohammedAhmed，hesaid，mustcomeatoncetoKhartoum。’Must！’exclaimedtheMahdi，startingtohisfeet，withastrangelookinhiseyes。ThelookwassostrangethattheemissarythoughtitadvisabletocutshorttheinterviewandtoreturntoKhartoumempty-handed。
Thereupon，theGovernor-Generalsent200soldierstoseizetheaudaciousrebelbyforce。Withhishandfuloffriends，theMahdifelluponthesoldiersandcutthemtopieces。Thenewsspreadlikewild-firethroughthecountry：theMahdihadarisen，theEgyptiansweredestroyed。ButitwascleartothelittlebandofenthusiastsatAbbaIslandthattheirpositionontheriverwasnolongertenable。TheMahdi，decidinguponasecondHegira，retreatedsouth-westward，intothedepthsofKordofan。
Theretreatwasatriumphalprogress。Thecountry，groaningunderalienmisgovernmentandvibratingwithreligiousexcitement，suddenlyfoundinthisrebelliousprophetarallying-point，ahero，adeliverer。Andnowanotherelementwasaddedtotheforcesofinsurrection。TheBaggaratribesofKordofan，cattle-
ownersandslave-traders，themostwarlikeandvigorousoftheinhabitantsoftheSudan，threwintheirlotwiththeMahdi。
TheirpowerfulEmirs，stillsmartingfromtheblowsofGordon，sawthattheopportunityforrevengehadcome。AholywarwasproclaimedagainsttheEgyptianmisbelievers。ThefollowersoftheMahdi，dressed，intokenofanewausterityofliving，inthe’jibbeh’，orwhitesmockofcoarsecloth，patchedwithvariouslyshapedandcolouredpatches，wererapidlyorganisedintoaformidablearmy。SeveralattacksfromKhartoumwererepulsed；andatlast，theMahdifeltstrongenoughtoadvanceagainsttheenemy。Whilehislieutenantsleddetachmentsintothevastprovinceslyingtothewestandthesouth——DarfurandBahr-el-
Ghazal——hehimselfmarcheduponElObeid，thecapitalofKordofan。ItwasinvainthatreinforcementswerehurriedfromKhartoumtotheassistanceofthegarrison：therewassomeseverefighting；thetownwascompletelycutoff；and，afterasixmonths’siege，itsurrendered。Agreatquantityofgunsandammunitionand￡100，000inspicesfellintothehandsoftheMahdi。HewasmasterofKordofan：hewasattheheadofagreatarmy；hewasrich；hewasworshipped。Adazzlingfutureopenedbeforehim。Nopossibilityseemedtooremote，nofortunetoomagnificent。Avisionofuniversalempirehoveredbeforehiseyes。Allah，whoseservanthewas，whohadledhimthusfar，wouldleadhimonwardstill，tothegloriousend。
ForsomemonthsheremainedatElObeid，consolidatinghisdominion。Inaseriesofcircularletters，hedescribedhiscolloquieswiththeAlmightyandlaiddowntheruleoflivingwhichhisfollowersweretopursue。Thefaithful，underpainofseverepunishment，weretoreturntotheasceticsimplicityofancienttimes。Acriminalcodewasdrawnup，metingoutexecutions，mutilations，andfloggingswithabarbariczeal。Theblasphemerwastobeinstantlyhanged，theadultererwastobescourgedwithwhipsofrhinoceroshide，thethiefwastohavehisrighthandandhisleftfoothackedoffinthemarketplace。
Nomoreweremarriagestobecelebratedwithpompandfeasting，nomorewastheyouthfulwarriortoswaggerwithflowinghair；
henceforth，thebelievermustbanquetondatesandmilk，andhisheadmustbekeptshaved。Minortransgressionswerepunishedbyconfiscationofpropertyorbyimprisonmentandchains。Buttherhinoceroswhipwasthefavouriteinstrumentofchastisement。Menwerefloggedfordrinkingaglassofwine，theywerefloggedforsmoking；iftheyswore，theyreceivedeightylashesforeveryexpletive；andaftereightylashesitwasacommonthingtodie。
Beforelong，flogginggrewtobesoeverydayanincidentthattheyoungmenmadeagameofit，asatestoftheirenduranceofpain。
WiththisSpartanferocitytherewasmingledtheglamourandthemysteryoftheEast。TheMahdihimself，hisfourKhalifas，andtheprincipalEmirs，mastersofsuddenriches，surroundedthemselveswithslavesandwomen，withtrainsofhorsesandasses，withbodyguardsandglitteringarms。Therewererumoursofdebaucheriesinhighplaces——oftheMahdi，forgetfulofhisownordinances，revellingintherecessesofhisharem，andquaffingdatesyrupmixedwithgingeroutofthesilvercupslootedfromthechurchoftheChristians。Butthatimposingfigurehadonlytoshowitselfforthetongueofscandaltobestilled。Thetall，broad-shouldered，majesticman，withthedarkfaceandblackbeardandgreateyes——whocoulddoubtthathewastheembodimentofasuperhumanpower？Fascinationdweltineverymovement，everyglance。Theeyes，paintedwithantimony，flashedextraordinaryfires；theexquisitesmilerevealed，beneaththevigorouslips，whiteupperteethwithaV-shapedspacebetweenthem——thecertainsignoffortune。Histurbanwasfoldedwithfaultlessart，hisjibbeh，speckless，wasperfumedwithsandal-wood，musk，andattarofroses。Hewasatonceallcourtesyandallcommand。Thousandsfollowedhim，thousandsprostratedthemselvesbeforehim；thousands，whenhelifteduphisvoiceinsolemnworship，knewthattheheavenswereopenedandthattheyhadcomeneartoGod。Thenallatoncetheonbeia——
theelephant’s-tusktrumpet——wouldgiveoutitsenormoussound。
Thenahas——thebrazenwardrums——wouldsummon，withtheirweirdrolling，thewholehosttoarms。Thegreenflagandtheredflagandtheblackflagwouldriseoverthemultitude。Thegreatarmywouldmoveforward，coloured，glistening，dark，violent，proud，beautiful。Thedrunkenness，themadnessofreligionwouldblazeoneveryface；andtheMahdi，immovableonhischarger，wouldletthescenegrowunderhiseyesinsilence。
ElObeidfellinJanuary，1883。Meanwhile，eventsofthedeepestimportancehadoccurredinEgypt。TheriseofArabihadsynchronisedwiththatoftheMahdi。Bothmovementswerenationalist；bothweredirectedagainstalienrulerswhohadshownthemselvesunfittorule。WhiletheSudanesewereshakingofftheyokeofEgypt，theEgyptiansthemselvesgrewimpatientoftheirownmasters——theTurkishandCircassianPashaswhofilledwiththeirincompetenceallthehighofficesofstate。ThearmyledbyAhmedArabi，aColoneloffellahorigin，mutinied，theKhedivegaveway，anditseemedasifaneworderwereabouttobeestablished。Aneworderwasindeeduponthepointofappearing：butitwasofakindundreamtofinArabi’sphilosophy。Atthecriticalmoment，theEnglishGovernmentintervened。AnEnglishfleetbombardedAlexandria，anEnglisharmylandedunderLordWolseley，anddefeatedArabiandhissupportersatTel-el-kebir。TheruleofthePashaswasnominallyrestored；buthenceforth，ineffect，theEnglishweremastersofEgypt。
Nevertheless，theEnglishthemselveswereslowtorecognisethisfact：theirGovernmenthadintervenedunwillingly；theoccupationofthecountrywasamerelytemporarymeasure；theirarmywastobewithdrawnassoonasatolerableadministrationhadbeensetup。Butatolerableadministration，presidedoverbythePashas，seemedlongincoming，andtheEnglisharmyremained。Inthemeantime，theMahdihadenteredElObeid，andhisdominionwasrapidlyspreadingoverthegreaterpartoftheSudan。
Thenaterriblecatastrophetookplace。ThePashas，happyoncemoreinCairo，pullingtheoldstringsandgrowingfatovertheoldflesh-pots，decidedtogivetheworldanunmistakableproofoftheirrenewedvigour。TheywouldtoleratetheinsurrectionintheSudannolonger；theywoulddestroytheMahdi，reducehisfollowerstosubmission，andre-establishtheirownbeneficentruleoverthewholecountry。Tothisendtheycollectedtogetheranarmyof10，000men，andplaceditunderthecommandofColonelHicks，aretiredEnglishofficer。Hewasorderedtoadvanceandsuppresstherebellion。IntheseproceedingstheEnglishGovernmentrefusedtotakeanypart。Unable，orunwilling，torealisethat，solongastherewasanEnglisharmyinEgypttheycouldnotavoidtheresponsibilitiesofsupremepower，theydeclaredthatthedomesticpolicyoftheEgyptianadministrationwasnoconcernoftheirs。Itwasafatalerror——anerrorwhichtheythemselves，beforemanyweekswereover，weretobeforcedbythehardlogicofeventstoadmit。ThePashas，lefttotheirowndevices，mismanagedtheHicksexpeditiontotheirhearts’
content。Themiserabletroops，swepttogetherfromtherelicsofArabi’sdisbandedarmy，weredispatchedtoKhartouminchains。
Afteramonth’sdrilling，theywerepronouncedtobefittoattackthefanaticsoftheSudan。ColonelHickswasabraveman；urgedonbytheauthoritiesinCairo，heshuthiseyestothedangeraheadofhim，andmarchedoutfromKhartouminthedirectionofElObeidatthebeginningofSeptember，1883。Abandoninghiscommunications，hewassoondeepinthedesolatewastesofKordofan。Asheadvanced，hisdifficultiesincreased；theguidesweretreacherous，thetroopsgrewexhausted，thesupplyofwatergaveout。Hepressedon，andatlast，onNovember5th，notfarfromElObeid，theharassed，fainting，almostdesperatearmyplungedintoavastforestofgumtreesandmimosascrub。Therewasasudden，appallingyell；theMahdi，with40，000ofhisfinestmen，sprangfromtheirambush。TheEgyptiansweresurrounded，andimmediatelyoverpowered。Itwasnotadefeat，butanannihilation。HicksandhisEuropeanstaffwereslaughtered；thewholearmywasslaughtered；300woundedwretchescreptawayintotheforest。
TheconsequencesofthiseventwerefeltineverypartoftheSudan。Tothewestward，inDarfur，theGovernor，SlatinPasha，afteraprolongedandvaliantresistance，wasforcedtosurrender，andthewholeprovincefellintothehandsoftherebels。Southwards，intheBahr-el-Ghazal，LuptonBeywasshutupinaremotestronghold，whilethecountrywasoverrun。TheMahdi’striumphswerebeginningtopenetrateevenintothetropicalregionsofEquatoria；thetribeswererising，andEmirPashawaspreparingtoretreattowardstheGreatLakes。Onthecast，OsmanDignapushedtheinsurrectionrightuptotheshoresoftheRedSeaandlaidsiegetoSuakin。Beforetheyearwasover，withtheexceptionofafewisolatedandsurroundedgarrisons，theMahdiwasabsolutelordofaterritoryequaltothecombinedareaofSpain，France，andGermany；andhisvictoriousarmieswererapidlyclosingroundKhartoum。
WhenthenewsoftheHicksdisasterreachedCairo，thePashascalmlyannouncedthattheywouldcollectanotherarmyof10，000
men，andagainattacktheMahdi；buttheEnglishGovernmentunderstoodatlastthegravityofthecase。Theysawthatacrisiswasuponthem，andthattheycouldnolongerescapetheimplicationsoftheirpositioninEgypt。Whatweretheytodo？
WeretheytoallowtheEgyptianstobecomemoreandmoredeeplyinvolvedinaruinous，perhapsultimatelyafatal，warwiththeMahdi？And，ifnot，whatstepsweretheytotake？
AsmallminorityofthepartytheninpowerinEngland——theLiberalParty——wereanxioustowithdrawfromEgyptaltogetherandatonce。
Ontheotherhand，anotherandamoreinfluentialminority，withrepresentativesintheCabinet，wereinfavourofamoreactiveinterventioninEgyptianaffairs——ofthedeliberateuseofthepowerofEnglandtogivetoEgyptinternalstabilityandexternalsecurity；theywereready，ifnecessary，totakethefieldagainsttheMahdiwithEnglishtroops。Butthegreatbulkoftheparty，andtheCabinet，withMr。Gladstoneattheirhead，preferredamiddlecourse。Realisingtheimpracticalityofanimmediatewithdrawal，theywereneverthelessdeterminedtoremaininEgyptnotamomentlongerthanwasnecessary，and，inthemeantime，tointerfereaslittleaspossibleinEgyptianaffairs。
FromacampaignintheSudanconductedbyanEnglisharmytheywerealtogetheraverse。If，therefore，theEnglisharmywasnottobeused，andtheEgyptianarmywasnotfittobeusedagainsttheMahdi，itfollowedthatanyattempttoreconquertheSudanmustbeabandoned；theremainingEgyptiantroopsmustbewithdrawn，andinfuturemilitaryoperationsmustbelimitedtothoseofastrictlydefensivekind。SuchwasthedecisionoftheEnglishGovernment。Theirdeterminationwasstrengthenedbytwoconsiderations：inthefirstplace，theysawthattheMahdi’srebellionwaslargelyanationalistmovement，directedagainstanalienpower，and，inthesecondplace，thepolicyofwithdrawalfromtheSudanwasthepolicyoftheirownrepresentativeinEgypt，SirEvelynBaring，whohadlatelybeenappointedConsul-
GeneralatCairo。Therewasonlyoneseriousobstacleintheway——
theattitudeofthePashasattheheadoftheEgyptianGovernment。Theinfatuatedoldmenwereconvincedthattheywouldhavebetterlucknexttime，thatanotherarmyandanotherHickswouldcertainlydestroytheMahdi，andthat，eveniftheMahdiwereagainvictorious，yetanotherarmyandyetanotherHickswouldnodoubtbeforthcoming，andthatTHEYwoulddothetrick，or，failingthat……buttheyrefusedtoconsidereventualitiesanyfurther。Inthefaceofsuchopposition，theEnglishGovernment，unwillingastheyweretointerfere，sawthattherewasnochoiceopentothembuttoexercisepressure。TheythereforeinstructedSirEvelynBaring，intheeventoftheEgyptianGovernmentrefusingtowithdrawfromtheSudan，toinsistupontheKhedive’sappointingotherMinisterswhowouldbewillingtodoso。
Meanwhile，notonlytheGovernment，butthepublicinEnglandwerebeginningtorealisethealarmingnatureoftheEgyptiansituation。ItwassometimebeforethedetailsoftheHicksexpeditionwerefullyknown，butwhentheywere，andwhentheappallingcharacterofthedisasterwasunderstood，athrillofhorrorranthroughthecountry。ThenewspapersbecamefullofarticlesontheSudan，ofpersonaldescriptionsoftheMahdi，ofagitatedlettersfromcolonelsandclergymendemandingvengeance，andofseriousdiscussionsoffuturepolicyinEgypt。Then，atthebeginningofthenewyear，alarmingmessagesbegantoarrivefromKhartoum。ColonelCoetlogon，whowasincommandoftheEgyptiantroops，reportedamenacingconcentrationoftheenemy。Daybyday，hourbyhour，affairsgrewworse。TheEgyptianswereobviouslyoutnumbered：
theycouldnotmaintainthemselvesinthefield；Khartoumwasindanger；atanymoment，itsinvestmentmightbecomplete。And，withKhartoumoncecutofffromcommunicationwithEgypt，whatmightnothappen？
ColonelCoetlogonbegantocalculatehowlongthecitywouldholdout。PerhapsitcouldnotresisttheMahdiforamonth，perhapsformorethanamonth；buthebegantotalkofthenecessityofaspeedyretreat。Itwasclearthataclimaxwasapproaching，andthatmeasuresmustbetakentoforestallitatonce。Accordingly，SirEvelynBaring，onreceiptoffinalordersfromEngland，presentedanultimatumtotheEgyptianGovernment：theMinistrymusteithersanctiontheevacuationoftheSudan，oritmustresign。TheMinistrywasobstinate，and，onJanuary7th，1884，itresigned，tobereplacedbyamorepliablebodyofPashas。Onthesameday，GeneralGordonarrivedatSouthampton。Hewasoverfifty，andhewasstill，bytheworld’smeasurements，anunimportantman。Inspiteofhisachievements，inspiteofacertaincelebrity——for’ChineseGordon’wasstilloccasionallyspokenof——hewasunrecognisedandalmostunemployed。
Hehadspentalifetimeinthedubiousservicesofforeigngovernments，punctuatedbyfutiledrudgeriesathome；andnow，afteralongidleness，hehadbeensentfor——todowhat？——tolookaftertheCongofortheKingoftheBelgians。Athisage，evenifhesurvivedtheworkandtheclimate，hecouldhardlylookforwardtoanysubsequentappointment；hewouldreturnfromtheCongo，oldandwornout，toared-brickvillaandextinction。SuchwereGeneralGordon’sprospectsonJanuary7th，1884。ByJanuary18th，hisnamewasoneverytongue，hewasthefavouriteofthenation，hehadbeendeclaredtobetheonelivingmancapableofcopingwiththeperilsofthehour；hehadbeenchosen，withunanimousapproval，toperformagreattask；andhehadleftEnglandonamissionwhichwastobringhimnotonlyaboundlesspopularity，butanimmortalfame。Thecircumstanceswhichledtoachangesosuddenandsoremarkablearelesseasilyexplainedthanmighthavebeenwished。Anambiguityhangsoverthem——anambiguitywhichthediscretionofeminentpersonshascertainlynotdiminished。Butsomeofthefactsareclearenough。
ThedecisiontowithdrawfromtheSudanhadnosoonerbeentakenthanithadbecomeevidentthattheoperationwouldbeadifficultandhazardousone，andthatitwouldbenecessarytosendtoKhartoumanemissaryarmedwithspecialpowersandpossessedofspecialability，tocarryitout。TowardstheendofNovember，somebodyattheWarOffice——itisnotclearwho——hadsuggestedthatthisemissaryshouldbeGeneralGordon。LordGranville，theForeignSecretary，hadthereupontelegraphedtoSirEvelynBaringaskingwhether，inhisopinion，thepresenceofGeneralGordonwouldbeusefulinEgypt；SirEvelynBaringhadrepliedthattheEgyptianGovernmentwasaversetothisproposal，andthematterhaddropped。
TherewasnofurtherreferencetoGordonintheofficialdispatchesuntilafterhisreturntoEngland。Nor，beforethatdate，wasanyallusionmadetohimasapossibleunravelleroftheSudandifficulty，inthePress。InallthediscussionswhichfollowedthenewsoftheHicksdisaster，hisnameisonlytobefoundinoccasionalandincidentalreferencestohiswork“IntheSudan“。The“PallMallGazette“，which，morethananyothernewspaper，interesteditselfinEgyptianaffairs，alludedtoGordononceortwiceasageographicalexpert；but，inanenumerationoftheleadingauthoritiesontheSudan，lefthimoutofaccountaltogether。Yetitwasfromthe“PallMallGazette“thattheimpulsionwhichprojectedhimintoablazeofpublicityfinallycame。Mr。Stead，itsenterprisingeditor，wentdowntoSouthamptonthedayafterGordon’sarrivalthere，andobtainedaninterview。Nowwhenhewasinthemood——afteralittleb。ands。，especially——noonewasmorecapablethanGordon，withhisfacilespeechandhisfree-
and-easymanners，offurnishinggoodcopyforajournalist；andMr。Steadmadethemostofhisopportunity。Theinterview，copiousandpointed，waspublishednextdayinthemostprominentpartofthepaper，togetherwithaleadingarticle，demandingthattheGeneralshouldbeimmediatelydispatchedtoKhartoumwiththewidestpowers。TherestofthePress，bothinLondonandintheprovinces，atoncetookupthecry：GeneralGordonwasacapableandenergeticofficer，hewasanobleandGod-fearingman，hewasanationalasset，hewasastatesmaninthehighestsenseoftheword；theoccasionwaspressingandperilous；GeneralGordonhadbeenforyearsGovernor-GeneraloftheSudan；GeneralGordonalonehadtheknowledge，thecourage，thevirtue，whichwouldsavethesituation；GeneralGordonmustgotoKhartoum。So，foraweek，thepaperssanginchorus。Butalreadythoseinhighplaceshadtakenastep。Mr。Stead’sinterviewappearedontheafternoonofJanuary9th，andonthemorningofJanuary10thLordGranvilletelegraphedtoSirEvelynBaring，proposing，forasecondtime，thatGordon’sservicesshouldbeutilisedinEgypt。ButSirEvelynBaring，forthesecondtime，rejectedtheproposal。
Whilethesemessageswereflashingtoandfro，GordonhimselfwaspayingavisittotheRev。Mr。BarnesattheVicarageofHeavitree，nearExeter。TheconversationranchieflyonBiblicalandspiritualmatters——onthelightthrownbytheOldTestamentuponthegeographyofPalestine，andontherelationsbetweenmanandhisMaker；but，thereweremomentswhentopicsofamoreworldlyinterestarose。IthappenedthatSirSamuelBaker，Gordon’spredecessorinEquatoria，livedintheneighbourhood。A
meetingwasarranged，andthetwoex-Governors，withMr。Barnesinattendance，wentforadrivetogether。Inthecarriage，SirSamuelBaker，takingupthetaleofthe“PallMallGazette“，dilateduponthenecessityofhisfriend’sreturningtotheSudanasGovernor-General。Gordonwassilent；butMr。Barnesnoticedthathisblueeyesflashed，whileaneagerexpressionpassedoverhisface。Latethatnight，aftertheVicarhadretiredtobed，hewassurprisedbythedoorsuddenlyopening，andbytheappearanceofhisguestswiftlytrippingintotheroom。’Yousawmetoday？’
thelowvoiceabruptlyquestioned。’Youmeaninthecarriage？’
repliedthestartledMr。Barnes。’Yes，’camethereply；’yousawME——thatwasMYSELF——theselfIwanttogetridof。’Therewasaslidingmovement，thedoorswungto，andtheVicarfoundhimselfaloneagain。
ItwasclearthatadisturbinginfluencehadfounditswayintoGordon’smind。Histhoughts，wanderingthroughAfrica，flittedtotheSudan；theydidnotlingerattheCongo。Duringthesamevisit，hetooktheopportunityofcallinguponDr。Temple，theBishopofExeter，andaskinghim，merelyasahypotheticalquestion，whether，inhisopinion，SudaneseconvertstoChristianitymightbepermittedtokeepthreewives。HisLordshipansweredthatthiswouldbeuncanonical。
Afewdayslater，itappearedthattheconversationinthecarriageatHeavitreehadbornefruit。GordonwrotealettertoSirSamuelBaker，furtherelaboratingtheopinionsontheSudanwhichhehadalreadyexpressedinhisinterviewwithMr。Stead；
theletterwasclearlyintendedforpublication，andpublisheditwasin“TheTimes“ofJanuary14th。Onthesameday，Gordon’snamebeganoncemoretobuzzalongthewiresinsecretquestionsandanswerstoandfromthehighestquarters。
’Mightitnotbeadvisable，’telegraphedLordGranvilletoMr。
Gladstone，toputalittlepressureonBaring，toinducehimtoaccepttheassistanceofGeneralGordon？’Mr。Gladstonereplied，alsobyatelegram，intheaffirmative；andonthe15th，LordWolseleytelegraphedtoGordonbegginghimtocometoLondonimmediately。LordWolseley，whowasoneofGordon’soldestfriends，wasatthattimeAdjutant-GeneraloftheForces；therewasalonginterview；and，thoughthedetailsoftheconversationhavenevertranspired，itisknownthat，inthecourseofit，LordWolseleyaskedGordonifhewouldbewillingtogototheSudan，towhichGordonrepliedthattherewasonlyoneobjection——
hispriorengagementtotheKingoftheBelgians。Beforenightfall，LordGranville，byprivatetelegram，had’putalittlepressureonBaring’。’Hehad，’hesaid，’heardindirectlythatGordonwasreadytogoatoncetotheSudanonthefollowingrathervagueterms：HismissiontobetoreporttoHerMajesty’sGovernmentonthemilitarysituation，andtoreturnwithoutanyfurtherengagement。Hewouldbeunderyouforinstructionsandwillsendlettersthroughyouunderflyingseal……Hemightbeofuse，’
LordGranvilleadded，ininformingyouandusofthesituation。
Itwouldbepopularathome，buttheremaybecountervailingobjections。
Tellme，’suchwasLordGranville’sconcludinginjunction，’yourrealopinion。’
Itwasthethirdtimeofasking，andSirEvelynBaringresistednolonger。
’Gordon，’hetelegraphedonthe16th，’wouldbethebestmanifhewillpledgehimselftocarryoutthepolicyofwithdrawingfromtheSudanasquicklyasispossible，consistentlywithsavinglife。HemustalsounderstandthathemusttakehisinstructionsfromtheBritishrepresentativeinEgypt……Iwouldratherhavehimthananyoneelse，providedthereisaperfectlyclearunderstandingwithhimastowhathispositionistobeandwhatlineofpolicyheistocarryout。
Otherwise，not……Whoevergoesshouldbedistinctlywarnedthathewillundertakeaserviceofgreatdifficultyanddanger。’
Inthemeantime，Gordon，withtheSudanuponhislips，withtheSudaninhisimagination，hadhurriedtoBrussels，toobtainfromtheKingoftheBelgiansareluctantconsenttothepostponementofhisCongomission。Onthe17thhewasrecalledtoLondonbyatelegramfromLordWolseley。Onthe18ththefinaldecisionwasmade。’Atnoon，’GordontoldtheRev。
Mr。Barnes，WolseleycametomeandtookmetotheMinisters。HewentinandtalkedtotheMinisters，andcamebackandsaid：“HerMajesty’sGovernmentwantsyoutoundertakethis。GovernmentisdeterminedtoevacuatetheSudan，fortheywillnotguaranteefuturegovernment。Willyougoanddoit？“Isaid：“Yes。”Hesaid：“Goin。”Iwentinandsawthem。Theysaid：“DidWolseleytellyouyourorders？“Isaid：“Yes。”Isaid：“YouwillnotguaranteefuturegovernmentoftheSudan，andyouwishmetogoupandevacuatenow。”Theysaid：“Yes“，anditwasover。’
SuchwasthesequenceofeventswhichendedinGeneralGordon’slastappointment。Theprecisemotivesofthoseresponsibleforthesetransactionsarelesseasytodiscern。ItisdifficulttounderstandwhatthereasonscouldhavebeenwhichinducedtheGovernment，notonlytooverridethehesitationsofSirEvelynBaring，buttooverlookthegraveandobviousdangersinvolvedinsendingsuchamanasGordontotheSudan。Thewholehistoryofhislife，thewholebentofhischaracter，seemedtodisqualifyhimforthetaskforwhichhehadbeenchosen。Hewasbeforeallthingsafighter，anenthusiast，aboldadventurer；andhewasnowtobeentrustedwiththeconductofaningloriousretreat。Hewasalientothesubtletiesofcivilisedstatesmanship，hewasunamenabletoofficialcontrol，hewasincapableoftheskilfulmanagementofdelicatesituations；andhewasnowtobeplacedinapositionofgreatcomplexity，requiringatonceacooljudgment，aclearperceptionoffact，andafixeddeterminationtocarryoutalineofpolicylaiddownfromabove。Hehad，itistrue，beenGovernor-GeneraloftheSudan；buthewasnowtoreturntothesceneofhisgreatnessastheemissaryofadefeatedandhumbledpower；hewastobeafugitivewherehehadoncebeenaruler；theverysuccessofhismissionwastoconsistinestablishingthetriumphofthoseforceswhichhehadspentyearsintramplingunderfoot。Allthisshouldhavebeencleartothoseinauthority，afteraverylittlereflection。ItwasclearenoughtoSirEvelynBaring，though，withcharacteristicreticence，hehadabstainedfromgivingexpressiontohisthoughts。But，evenifageneralacquaintancewithGordon’slifeandcharacterwerenotsufficienttoleadtotheseconclusions，hehimselfhadtakencaretoputtheirvaliditybeyondreasonabledoubt。
BothinhisinterviewwithMr。SteadandinhislettertoSirSamuelBaker，hehadindicatedunmistakablyhisownattitudetowardstheSudansituation。
Thepolicywhichheadvocated，thestateoffeelinginwhichheshowedhimselftobe，wasdiametricallyopposedtothedeclaredintentionsoftheGovernment。HewasbynomeansinfavourofwithdrawingfromtheSudan；hewasinfavour，asmighthavebeensupposed，ofvigorousmilitaryaction。Itmightbenecessarytoabandon，forthetimebeing，themoreremotegarrisonsinDarfurandEquatoria；butKhartoummustbeheldatallcosts。ToallowtheMahditoenterKhartoumwouldnotmerelymeanthereturnofthewholeoftheSudantobarbarism；itwouldbeamenacetothesafetyofEgyptherself。ToattempttoprotectEgyptagainsttheMahdibyfortifyinghersouthernfrontierwaspreposterous。’Youmightaswellfortifyagainstafever。’Arabia，Syria，thewholeMohammedanworld，wouldbeshakenbytheMahdi’sadvance。’Inself-defence，’GordondeclaredtoMr。Stead，thepolicyofevacuationcannotpossiblybejustified。’
Thetruepolicywasobvious。Astrongman——SirSamuelBaker，perhaps——
mustbesenttoKhartoum，withalargecontingentofIndianandTurkishtroopsandwithtwomillionsofmoney。HewouldverysoonoverpowertheMahdi，whoseforceswould’falltopiecesofthemselves’。ForinGordon’sopinionitwas’anentiremistaketoregardtheMahdiasinanysenseareligiousleader’；hewouldcollapseassoonashewasfacetofacewithanEnglishgeneral。ThenthedistantregionsofDarfurandEquatoriacouldoncemorebeoccupied；
theiroriginalSultanscouldbereinstated；thewholecountrywouldbeplacedundercivilisedrule；andtheslave-tradewouldbefinallyabolished。TheseweretheviewswhichGordonpubliclyexpressedonJanuary9thandonJanuary14th；anditcertainlyseemsstrangethatonJanuary10thandonJanuary14th，LordGranvilleshouldhaveproposed，withoutawordofconsultationwithGordonhimself，tosendhimonamissionwhichinvolved，notthereconquest，buttheabandonmentoftheSudan；Gordon，indeed，whenhewasactuallyapproachedbyLordWolseley，hadapparentlyagreedtobecometheagentofapolicywhichwasexactlythereverseofhisown。Nodoubt，too，itispossibleforasubordinatetosuppresshisprivateconvictionsandtocarryoutloyally，inspiteofthem，theordersofhissuperiors。Buthowrarearethequalitiesofself-controlandwisdomwhichsuchasubordinatemustpossess！AndhowlittlereasontherewastothinkthatGeneralGordonpossessedthem！
Infact，theconductoftheGovernmentwearssosingularanappearancethatithasseemednecessarytoaccountforitbysomeulteriorexplanation。IthasoftenbeenassertedthatthetruecauseofGordon’sappointmentwastheclamourinthePress。Itissaid——amongothers，bySirEvelynBaringhimself，whohasgivensomethinglikeanofficialsanctiontothisviewofthecase——
thattheGovernmentcouldnotresistthepressureofthenewspapersandthefeelinginthecountrywhichitindicated；thatMinisters，carriedofftheirfeetbyawaveof’Gordoncultus’，wereobligedtogivewaytotheinevitable。Butthissuggestionishardlysupportedbyanexaminationofthefacts。Already，earlyinDecember，andmanyweeksbeforeGordon’snamehadbeguntofigureinthenewspapers，LordGranvillehadmadehisfirstefforttoinduceSirEvelynBaringtoacceptGordon’sservices。
ThefirstnewspaperdemandforaGordonmissionappearedinthe“PallMallGazette“ontheafternoonofJanuary9th；andtheverynextmorning，LordGranvillewasmakinghissecondtelegraphicattackuponSirEvelynBaring。ThefeelinginthePressdidnotbecomegeneraluntilthe11th，andonthe14thLordGranville，inhistelegramtoMr。Gladstone，forthethirdtimeproposedtheappointmentofGordon。Clearly，onthepartofLordGranvilleatanyrate，therewasnoextremedesiretoresistthewishesofthePress。NorwastheGovernmentasawholebyanymeansincapableofignoringpublicopinion；afewmonthsweretoshowthat，plainlyenough。ItisdifficulttoavoidtheconclusionthatifMinistershadbeenopposedtotheappointmentofGordon，hewouldneverhavebeenappointed。Asitwas，thenewspaperswereinfactforestalled，ratherthanfollowed，bytheGovernment。
How，then，arewetoexplaintheGovernment’saction？Arewetosupposethatitsmembers，likethemembersofthepublicatlarge，werethemselvescarriedawaybyasuddenenthusiasm，asuddenconvictionthattheyhadfoundtheirsaviour；thatGeneralGordonwastheman——theydidnotquiteknowwhy，butthatwasofnoconsequence——theonemantogetthemoutofthewholeSudandifficulty——theydidnotquiteknowhow，butthatwasofnoconsequenceeitherifonlyheweresenttoKhartoum？DoubtlessevenCabinetMinistersareliabletosuchimpulses；doubtlessitispossiblethattheCabinetofthatdayalloweditselftodrift，outofmerelackofconsideration，andjudgment，andforesight，alongtherapidstreamofpopularfeelingtowardstheinevitablecataract。Thatmaybeso；yetthereareindicationsthatamoredefiniteinfluencewasatwork。TherewasasectionoftheGovernmentwhichhadneverbecomequitereconciledtothepolicyofwithdrawingfromtheSudan。Tothissection——wemaycallittheimperialistsection——whichwasled，insidetheCabinet，byLordHartington，andoutsidebyLordWolseley，thepolicywhichreallycommendeditselfwastheverypolicywhichhadbeenoutlinedbyGeneralGordoninhisinterviewwithMr。SteadandhislettertoSirSamuelBaker。TheysawthatitmightbenecessarytoabandonsomeoftheoutlyingpartsoftheSudantotheMahdi；
buttheprospectofleavingthewholeprovinceinhishandswashighlydistastefultothem；aboveall，theydreadedthelossofKhartoum。Now，supposingthatGeneralGordon，inresponsetoapopularagitationinthePress，weresenttoKhartoum，whatwouldfollow？Wasitnotatleastpossiblethat，oncethere，withhisviewsandhischaracter，hewould，forsomereasonorother，refrainfromcarryingoutapolicyofpacificretreat？WasitnotpossiblethatinthatcasehemightsoinvolvetheEnglishGovernmentthatitwouldfinditselfobliged，almostimperceptiblyperhaps，tosubstituteforitspolicyofwithdrawalapolicyofadvance？WasitnotpossiblethatGeneralGordonmightgetintodifficulties，thathemightbesurroundedandcutofffromEgypt’？Ifthatweretohappen，howcouldtheEnglishGovernmentavoidthenecessityofsendinganexpeditiontorescuehim？And，ifanEnglishexpeditionwenttotheSudan，wasitconceivablethatitwouldleavetheMahdiasitfoundhim？Inshort，wouldnotthedispatchofGeneralGordontoKhartouminvolve，almostinevitably，theconquestoftheSudanbyBritishtroops，followedbyaBritishoccupation？And，behindallthesequestions，astilllargerquestionloomed。ThepositionoftheEnglishinEgyptitselfwasstillambiguous；thefuturewasobscure；howlong，inreality，wouldanEnglisharmyremaininEgypt？Wasnotonething，atleast，obvious——thatiftheEnglishweretoconquerandoccupytheSudan，theirevacuationofEgyptwouldbecomeimpossible？
Withourpresentinformation，itwouldberashtoaffirmthatall，orany，oftheseconsiderationswerepresenttothemindsoftheimperialistsectionoftheGovernment。YetitisdifficulttobelievethatamansuchasLordWolseley，forinstance，withhisknowledgeofaffairsandhisknowledgeofGordon，couldhavealtogetheroverlookedthem。LordHartington，indeed，maywellhavefailedtorealiseatoncetheimplicationsofGeneralGordon’sappointment——forittookLordHartingtonsometimetorealisetheimplicationsofanything；butLordHartingtonwasveryfarfrombeingafool；andwemaywellsupposethatheinstinctively，perhapssubconsciously，apprehendedtheelementsofasituationwhichheneverformulatedtohimself。Howeverthatmaybe，certaincircumstancesaresignificant。Itissignificantthatthego-betweenwhoactedastheGovernment’sagentinitsnegotiationswithGordonwasanimperialist——LordWolseley。Itissignificantthatthe’Ministers’whomGordonfinallyinterviewed，andwhoactuallydeterminedhisappointmentwerebynomeansthewholeoftheCabinet，butasmallsectionofit，presidedoverbyLordHartington。
Itissignificant，too，thatGordon’smissionwasrepresentedbothtoSirEvelynBaring，whowasopposedtohisappointment，andtoMr。
Gladstone，whowasopposedtoanactivepolicyintheSudan，asamissionmerely’toreport’；while，nosoonerwasthemissionactuallydecidedupon，thanitbegantoassumeaverydifferentcomplexion。Inhisfinalinterviewwiththe’Ministers’，GordonweknowthoughhesaidnothingaboutittotheRev。MrBarnesthrewoutthesuggestionthatitmightbeaswelltomakehimtheGovernor-GeneraloftheSudan。Thesuggestion，forthemoment，wasnottakenup；butitisobviousthatamandoesnotproposetobecomeaGovernor-
Generalinordertomakeareport。
Weareintheregionofspeculations；oneotherpresentsitself。
WasthemovementinthePressduringthatsecondweekofJanuaryagenuinemovement，expressingaspontaneouswaveofpopularfeeling？Orwasitacauseofthatfeeling，ratherthananeffect？Theengineeringofanewspaperagitationmaynothavebeenanimpossibility——evensolongagoas1884。OnewouldliketoknowmorethanoneiseverlikelytoknowoftherelationsoftheimperialistsectionoftheGovernmentwithMr。Stead。
Butitistimetoreturntothesolidityoffact。WithinafewhoursofhisinterviewwiththeMinisters，GordonhadleftEnglandforever。Ateighto’clockintheevening，therewasalittlegatheringofelderlygentlemenatVictoriaStation。
Gordon，accompaniedbyColonelStewart，whowastoactashissecond-in-command，trippedontotheplatform。LordGranvilleboughtthenecessarytickets；theDukeofCambridgeopenedtherailway-carriagedoor。TheGeneraljumpedintothetrain；andthenLordWolseleyappeared，carryingaleatherbag，inwhichwas￡200ingold，collectedfromfriendsatthelastmomentforthecontingenciesofthejourney。Thebagwashandedthroughthewindow。Thetrainstarted。Asitdidso，GordonleanedoutandaddressedalastwhisperedquestiontoLordWolseley。Yes，ithadbeendone。LordWolseleyhadseentoithimself；nextmorning，everymemberoftheCabinetwouldreceiveacopyofDr。SamuelClarke’sScripturePromises。Thatwasall。Thetrainrolledoutofthestation。
BeforethetravellersreachedCairo，stepshadbeentakenwhichfinallyputanendtothetheory——ifithadeverbeenseriouslyheld——thatthepurposeofthemissionwassimplythemakingofareport。OntheverydayofGordon’sdeparture，LordGranvilletelegraphedtoSirEvelynBaringasfollows：’GordonsuggeststhatitmaybeannouncedinEgyptthatheisonhiswaytoKhartoumtoarrangeforthefuturesettlementoftheSudanforthebestadvantageofthepeople。’Nothingwassaidofreporting。Afewdayslater，GordonhimselftelegraphedtoLordGranvillesuggestingthatheshouldbemadeGovernor-GeneraloftheSudan，inorderto’accomplishtheevacuation’，andto’restoretothevariousSultansoftheSudantheirindependence’。
LordGranvilleatonceauthorisedSirEvelynBaringtoissue，ifhethoughtfit，aproclamationtothiseffectinthenameoftheKhedive。Thusthemission’toreport’hadalreadyswollenintoaGovernor-Generalship，withtheobject，notmerelyofeffectingtheevacuationoftheSudan，butalsoofsettingup’variousSultans’totaketheplaceoftheEgyptianGovernment。
InCairo，inspiteofthehostilitiesofthepast，Gordonwasreceivedwitheverypoliteness。HewasatonceproclaimedGovernor-GeneraloftheSudan，withthewidestpowers。Hewasonthepointofstartingoffagainonhisjourneysouthwards，whenasingularandimportantincidentoccurred。Zobeir，therebelchieftainofDarfur，againstwhoseforcesGordonhadstruggledforyears，andwhoseson，Suleiman，hadbeencapturedandexecutedbyGessi，Gordon’slieutenant，wasstilldetainedatCairo。ItsofelloutthathewenttopayavisittooneoftheMinistersatthesametimeasthenewGovernor-General。Thetwomenmetfacetoface，and，ashelookedintothesavagecountenanceofhisoldenemy，anextraordinaryshockofinspirationranthroughGordon’sbrain。Hewasseized，asheexplainedinaStatepaper，whichhedrewupimmediatelyafterthemeeting，witha’mysticfeeling’thathecouldtrustZobeir。
ItwastruethatZobeirwas’thegreatestslave-hunterwhoeverexisted’；itwastruethathehadapersonalhatredofGordon，owingtotheexecutionofSuleiman——’andonecannotwonderatit，ifoneisafather’；itwastruethat，onlyafewdayspreviously，onhiswaytoEgypt，GordonhimselfhadbeensoconvincedofthedangerouscharacterofZobeirthathehadrecommendedbytelegramhisremovaltoCyprus。Butsuchconsiderationswereutterlyobliteratedbythatonemomentofelectricimpactofpersonalvision；henceforward，therewasarootedconvictioninGordon’smindthatZobeirwastobetrusted，thatZobeirmustjoinhimatKhartoum，thatZobeir’spresencewouldparalysetheMahdi，thatZobeirmustsucceedhiminthegovernmentofthecountryaftertheevacuation。DidnotSirEvelynBaring，too，havethemysticfeeling？SirEvelynBaringconfessedthathehadnot。Hedistrustedmysticfeelings。Zobeir，nodoubt，mightpossiblybeuseful；but，beforedecidinguponsoimportantamatter，itwasnecessarytoreflectandtoconsult。
Inthemeantime，failingZobeir，somethingmightperhapsbedonewiththeEmirAbdulShakur，theheiroftheDarfurSultans。TheEmir，whohadbeenlivingindomesticretirementinCairo，waswithsomedifficultydiscovered，given￡2，000，anembroidereduniform，togetherwiththelargestdecorationthatcouldbefound，andinformedthathewastostartatoncewithGeneralGordonfortheSudan，whereitwouldbehisdutytooccupytheprovinceofDarfur，afterdrivingouttheforcesoftheMahdi。
Thepoormanbeggedforalittledelay；butnodelaycouldbegranted。Hehurriedtotherailwaystationinhisfrockcoatandfez，andrathertheworseforliquor。Severalextracarriagesforhistwenty-threewivesandalargequantityofluggagehadthentobehitchedontotheGovernor-General’strain；andatthelastmomentsomecommotionwascausedbytheunaccountabledisappearanceofhisembroidereduniform。Itwasfound，buthistroubleswerenotover。Onthesteamer，GeneralGordonwasveryrudetohim，andhedrownedhischagrininhotrumandwater。AtAssuanhedisembarked，declaringthathewouldgonofarther。Eventually，however，hegotasfarasDongola，whence，afterastayofafewmonths，hereturnedwithhisfamilytoCairo。
Inspiteofthislittlecontretemps，Gordonwasinthehighestspirits。Atlasthiscapacitieshadbeenrecognisedbyhiscountrymen；atlasthehadbeenentrustedwithataskgreatenoughtosatisfyevenhisdesires。Hewasalreadyfamous；hewouldsoonbeglorious。Lookingoutoncemoreoverthefamiliardesert，hefeltthesearchingsofhisconsciencestilledbythemanifestcertaintythatitwasforthisthatProvidencehadbeenreservinghimthroughalltheseyearsoflabourandofsorrowforthis！WhatwastheMahditostandupagainsthim！Athousandschemes，athousandpossibilitiessprangtolifeinhispullulatingbrain。Anewintoxicationcarriedhimaway。’Ilfautetretoujoursivre。Toutestla：c’estl’uniquequestion。’Littlethoughheknewit，GordonwasadiscipleofBaudelaire。’Pournepassentirl’horriblefardeauduTempsquibrisevosepaulesetvouspencheverslaterre，ilfautvousenivrersanstreve。’Yes——
buthowfeeblewerethosegrossresourcesofthemiserableAbdul-Shakur！Rum？Brandy？Oh，heknewallaboutthem；theywerenothing。Hetossedoffaglass。Theywerenothingatall。Thetruedrunkennesslayelsewhere。Heseizedapaperandpencil，anddasheddownatelegramtoSirEvelynBaring。Anotherthoughtstruckhim，andanothertelegramfollowed。Andanother，andyetanother。Hehadmadeuphismind；hewouldvisittheMahdiinperson，andalone。Hemightdothat；orhemightretiretotheEquator。HewoulddecidedlyretiretotheEquator，andhandovertheBahr-el-GhazalprovincetotheKingoftheBelgians。AwholeflockoftelegramsflewtoCairofromeverystopping-place。SirEvelynBaringwaspatientanddiscrete；hecouldbetrustedwithsuchconfidences；butunfortunatelyGordon’sstrangeexhilarationfoundotheroutlets。AtBerber，inthecourseofaspeechtotheassembledchiefs，herevealedtheintentionoftheEgyptianGovernmenttowithdrawfromtheSudan。Thenewswaseverywhereinamoment，andtheresultsweredisastrous。Thetribesmen，whomfearandinteresthadstillkeptloyal，perceivedthattheyneedlooknomoreforhelporpunishmentfromEgypt，andbegantoturntheireyestowardstherisingsun。
Nevertheless，forthemoment，theprospectworeafavourableappearance。TheGovernor-Generalwaswelcomedateverystageofhisjourney，andonFebruary18thhemadeatriumphalentryintoKhartoum。Thefeeblegarrison，thepanic-strickeninhabitants，hailedhimasadeliverer。Surelytheyneedfearnomore，nowthatthegreatEnglishPashahadcomeamongthem。Hisfirstactsseemedtoshowthatanewandhappyerahadbegun。Taxeswereremitted，thebondsoftheusurersweredestroyed，thevictimsofEgyptianinjusticeweresetfreefromtheprisons；theimmemorialinstrumentsoftorturethestocksandthewhipsandthebranding-
ironswerebrokentopiecesinthepublicsquare。Aboldermeasurehadbeenalreadytaken。AproclamationhadbeenissuedsanctioningslaveryintheSudan。Gordon，arguingthathewaspowerlesstodoawaywiththeodiousinstitution，which，assoonasthewithdrawalwascarriedout，wouldinevitablybecomeuniversal，haddecidedtoreapwhatbenefithecouldfromthepublicabandonmentofanunpopularpolicy。AtKhartoumtheannouncementwasreceivedwithenthusiasm，butitcausedconsiderableperturbationinEngland。TheChristianhero，whohadspentsomanyyearsofhislifeinsuppressingslavery，wasnowsuddenlyfoundtobeusinghishighpowerstosetitupagain。
TheAnti-SlaverySocietymadeamenacingmovement，buttheGovernmentshowedaboldfront，andthepopularbeliefinGordon’sinfallibilitycarriedtheday。
Hehimselfwasstillradiant。Nor，amidthejubilationandthedevotionwhichsurroundedhim，didheforgethigherthings。Inallthisturmoil，hetoldhissister，hewas’supported’。HegaveinjunctionsthathisEgyptiantroopsshouldhaveregularmorningandeveningprayers；’theyworshiponeGod，’hesaid，’Jehovah。’
AndheorderedanArabictext，’Godrulestheheartsofallmen’，tobeputupoverthechairofstateinhisaudiencechamber。Asthedayswentby，hebegantofeelathomeagaininthehugepalacewhichheknewsowell。Theglareandtheheatofthatsouthernatmosphere，themovementofthecrowdedcity，thedark-
facedpopulace，thesoldiersandthesuppliants，thereawakenedconsciousnessofpower，theglamourandthemysteryofthewholestrangescene——thesethingsseizeduponhim，engulfedhim，andworkedanewtransformationonhisintoxicatedheart。England，withitscomplicationsanditspolicies，becameanemptyvisiontohim；SirEvelynBaring，withhiscautionsandsagacities，hardlymorethanatiresomename。HewasGordonPasha，hewastheGovernor-General，hewastheruleroftheSudan。Hewasamonghispeople——hisownpeople，anditwastothemonlythathewasresponsible——tothem，andtoGod。Washetoletthemfallwithoutablowintotheclutchesofasanguinaryimpostor？Never！Hewastheretopreventthat。Thedistantgovernmentsmightmuttersomethingabout’evacuation’；histhoughtswereelsewhere。Hepouredthemintohistelegrams，andSirEvelynBaringsataghast。
ThemanwhohadleftLondonamonthbefore，withinstructionsto’reportuponthebestmeansofeffectingtheevacuationoftheSudan’，wasnowopenlytalkingof’smashinguptheMahdi’withtheaidofBritishandIndiantroops。SirEvelynBaringcounteduponhisfingersthevariousstagesofthisextraordinarydevelopmentinGeneralGordon’sopinions。Buthemighthavesavedhimselfthetrouble，for，infact，itwaslessadevelopmentthanareversion。UnderthestressoftheexcitementsandtherealitiesofhissituationatKhartoum，thepolicywhichGordonwasnowproposingtocarryouthadcometotally，ineveryparticular，withthepolicywhichhehadoriginallyadvocatedwithsuchvigorousconvictioninthepagesofthePallMallGazette。
NorwastheadoptionofthatpolicybytheEnglishGovernmentbyanymeansoutofthequestion。For，inthemeantime，eventshadbeentakingplaceintheEasternSudan，intheneighbourhoodoftheRedSeaportofSuakin，whichweretohaveadecisiveeffectupontheprospectsofKhartoum。GeneralBaker，thebrotherofSirSamuelBaker，attemptingtorelievethebeleagueredgarrisonsofSinkatandTokar，hadrashlyattackedtheforcesofOsmanDigna，hadbeendefeated，andobligedtoretire。SinkatandTokarhadthenfallenintothehandsoftheMahdi’sgeneral。TherewasagreatoutcryinEngland，andawaveofwarlikefeelingpassedoverthecountry。LordWolseleyatoncedrewupamemorandumadvocatingtheannexationoftheSudan。IntheHouseofCommonsevenLiberalsbegantodemandvengeanceandmilitaryaction，whereupontheGovernmentdispatchedSirGeraldGrahamwithaconsiderableBritishforcetoSuakin。SirGeraldGrahamadvanced，andinthebattlesofElTebandTamaiinflictedtwobloodydefeatsupontheMahdi’sforces。ItalmostseemedasiftheGovernmentwasnowcommittedtoapolicyofinterferenceandconquest；asiftheimperialistsectionoftheCabinetwereatlasttohavetheirway。ThedispatchofSirGeraldGrahamcoincidedwithGordon’ssuddendemandforBritishandIndiantroopswithwhichto’smashuptheMahdi’。Thebusiness，heassuredSirEvelynBaring，inastreamoftelegrams，couldveryeasilybedone。Itmadehimsick，hesaid，toseehimselfheldincheckandthepeopleoftheSudantyrannisedoverby’afeeblelotofstinkingDervishes’。LetZobeiratoncebesentdowntohim，andallwouldbewell。
TheoriginalSultansofthecountryhadunfortunatelyproveddisap-pointing。TheirplaceshouldbetakenbyZobeir。AftertheMahdihadbeensmashedup，ZobeirshouldruletheSudanasasubsidisedvassalofEngland，onasimilarfootingtothatoftheAmirofAfghanistan。Theplanwasperhapsfeasible；butitwasclearlyincompatiblewiththepolicyofevacuation，asithadbeenhithertolaiddownbytheEnglishGovernment。Shouldtheyreversethatpolicy？ShouldtheyappointZobeir，reinforceSirGeraldGraham，andsmashuptheMahdi？Theycouldnotmakeuptheirminds。SofarasZobeirwasconcerned，thereweretwocounterbalancingconsiderations；ontheonehand，EvelynBaringnowdeclaredthathewasinfavouroftheappointment；but，ontheotherhand，wouldEnglishpublicopinionconsenttoaman，describedbyGordonhimselfas’thegreatestslave-hunterwhoeverexisted’，beinggivenanEnglishsubsidyandthecontroloftheSudan？WhiletheCabinetwaswavering，Gordontookafatalstep。Thedelaywasintolerable，andoneevening，inarage，herevealedhisdesireforZobeir——whichhadhithertobeenkeptaprofoundofficialsecret——toMrPower，theEnglishConsulatKhartoum，andthespecialcorrespondentof“TheTimes。”PerhapshecalculatedthatthepublicannouncementofhiswisheswouldobligetheGovernmenttoyieldtothem；ifso，hewascompletelymistaken，fortheresultwastheveryreverse。Thecountry，alreadystartledbytheproclamationinfavourofslavery，couldnotswallowZobeir。TheAnti-SlaverySocietysetonfootaviolentagitation，opinionintheHouseofCommonssuddenlystiffened，andtheCabinet，byasubstantialmajority，decidedthatZobeirshouldremaininCairo。Theimperialistwavehadrisenhigh，butithadnotrisenhighenough；andnowitwasrapidlysubsiding。TheGovernment’snextactionwasdecisive。SirGeraldGrahamandhisBritishArmywerewithdrawnfromtheSudan。
ThecriticalfortnightduringwhichtheseeventstookplacewasthefirstfortnightofMarch。Bythecloseofit，Gordon’spositionhadundergonearapidandterriblechange。Notonlydidhefindhimselfdeprived，bythedecisionoftheGovernment，bothofthehopeofZobeir’sassistanceandoftheprospectofsmashinguptheMahdiwiththeaidofBritishtroops；themilitarymovementsintheEasternSudanproduced，attheverysamemoment，ayetmorefatalconsequence。TheadherentsoftheMahdihadbeenmaddened，theyhadnotbeencrushed，bySirGeraldGraham’svictories。When，immediatelyafterwards，theEnglishwithdrewtoSuakin，fromwhichtheyneveragainemerged，theinferenceseemedobvious；theyhadbeendefeated，andtheirpowerwasatanend。ThewarliketribestothenorthandthenortheastofKhartoumhadlongbeenwavering。Theynowhesitatednolonger，andjoinedtheMahdi。Fromthatmoment——itwaslessthanamonthfromGordon’sarrivalatKhartoum——thesituationofthetownwasdesperate。Thelineofcommunicationswascut。Thoughitstillmightbepossibleforoccasionalnativemessengers，orforafewindividualsonanarmedsteamer，towintheirwaydowntheriverintoEgypt，theremovalofalargenumberofpersons——theloyalinhabitantsortheEgyptiangarrison——washenceforwardanimpossibility。ThewholeschemeoftheGordonmissionhadirremediablycollapsed；worsestill，Gordonhimself，sofarfromhavingeffectedtheevacuationoftheSudan，wassurroundedbytheenemy。’Thequestionnowis，’SirEvelynBaringtoldLordGranville，onMarch24th，’howtogetGeneralGordonandColonelStewartawayfromKhartoum。’
Theactualconditionofthetown，however，wasnot，fromamilitarypointofview，soseriousasColonelCoetlogon，inthefirstmomentsofpanicaftertheHicksdisaster，hadsupposed。
Gordonwasofopinionthatitwascapableofsustainingasiegeofmanymonths。Withhisusualvigour，hehadalreadybeguntoprepareanelaboratesystemofearthworks，mines，andwireentanglements。Therewasafiveorsixmonths’supplyoffood，therewasagreatquantityofammunition，thegarrisonnumberedabout8，000men。Therewere，besides，ninesmallpaddle-wheelsteamers，hithertousedforpurposesofcommunicationalongtheNile，which，fittedwithgunsandprotectedbymetalplates，wereofconsiderablemilitaryvalue。’Weareallright，’GordontoldhissisteronMarch15th。’Weshall，D。V。，goonformonths。’Sofar，atanyrate，therewasnocausefordespair。Buttheeffervescenthappinessofthreeweekssincehadvanished。Gloom，doubt，disillusionment，self-questioning，hadswoopeddownagainupontheirvictim。’EitherImustbelieveHedoesallthingsinmercyandlove，orelseIdisbelieveHisexistence；thereisnohalfwayinthematter。WhatholesdoInotputmyselfinto！Andforwhat？Somixedaremyideas。Ibelieveambitionputmehereinthisruin。’Wasnotthattheexplanationofitall？’OurLord’spromiseisnotforthefulfilmentofearthlywishes；
therefore，ifthingscometoruinhereHeisstillfaithful，andiscarryingoutHisgreatworkofdivinewisdom。’Howcouldhehaveforgottenthat？Buthewouldnottransgressagain。’IowealltoGod，andnothingtomyself，for，humanlyspeaking，Ihavedoneveryfoolishthings。However，ifIamhumbled，thebetterforme。’
NewsofthechangedcircumstancesatKhartoumwasnotslowinreachingEngland，andafeelingofanxietybegantospread。AmongthefirsttorealisethegravityofthesituationwasQueenVictoria。’Itisalarming，’shetelegraphedtoLordHartingtononMarch25th。’GeneralGordonisindanger；youareboundtotrytosavehim……Youhaveincurredafearfulresponsibility。’Withanunerringinstinct，HerMajestyforestalledandexpressedthepopularsentiment。DuringApril，whenithadbecomeclearthatthewirebetweenKhartoumandCairohadbeensevered；when，astimepassed，nowordcamenorthward，savevaguerumoursofdisaster；whenatlastacurtainofimpenetrablemysteryclosedoverKhartoum，thegrowinguneasinessmanifesteditselfinletterstothenewspapers，inleadingarticles，andinafloodofsubscriptionstowardsarelieffund。AtthebeginningofMay，thepublicalarmreachedaclimax。Itnowappearedtobecertain，notonlythatGeneralGordonwasinimminentdanger，butthatnostepshadyetbeentakenbytheGovernmenttosavehim。
Onthe5th，therewasameetingofprotestandindignationatSt。
James’sHall；onthe9ththerewasamassmeetinginHydePark；
onthe11ththerewasameetingatManchester。TheBaronessBurdett-Couttswroteanagitatedletterto“TheTimes“beggingforfurthersubscriptions。Somebodyelseproposedthataspecialfundshouldbestartedwithwhich’tobribethetribestosecuretheGeneral’spersonalsafety’。Acountryvicarmadeanothersuggestion。WhyshouldnotpublicprayersbeofferedupforGeneralGordonineverychurchinthekingdom？HehimselfhadadoptedthatcourselastSunday。’Isnotthis，’heconcluded，’whatthegodlyman，thetruehero，himselfwouldwishtobedone？’Itwasallofnoavail。GeneralGordonremainedinperil；
theGovernmentremainedinactive。Finally，avoteofcensurewasmovedintheHouseofCommons；butthattooproveduseless。Itwasstrange；thesameexecutivewhich，twomonthsbefore，hadtrimmeditssailssoeagerlytotheshiftinggustsofpopularopinion，now，inspiteofarisinghurricane，heldonitscourse。
Anewspirit，itwasclear——adetermined，anintractablespirit——
hadtakencontroloftheSudansituation。Whatwasit？Theexplanationwassimple，anditwasominous。Mr。Gladstonehadintervened。
Theoldstatesmanwasnowenteringuponthepenultimateperiodofhisenormouscareer。HewhohadoncebeentherisinghopeofthesternandunbendingTories，hadatlengthemerged，afteralifetimeoftransmutations，asthechampionofmilitantdemocracy。Hewasattheapexofhispower。Hisgreatrivalwasdead；hestoodpre-eminentintheeyeofthenation；heenjoyedtheapplause，theconfidence，theadmiration，theadoration，even，ofmultitudes。Yet——suchwasthepeculiarcharacteroftheman，andsuchwastheintensityofthefeelingswhichhecalledforth——atthisverymoment，attheheightofhispopularity，hewasdistrustedandloathed；alreadyanunparalleledanimositywasgatheringitsforcesagainsthim。For，indeed，therewassomethinginhisnaturewhichinvited——whichdemanded——theclashingreactionsofpassionateextremes。ItwaseasytoworshipMr。Gladstone；toseeinhimtheperfectmodeloftheuprightman——themanofvirtueandofreligion——themanwhosewholelifehadbeendevotedtotheapplicationofhighprinciplestoaffairsofState；theman，too，whosesenseofrightandjusticewasinvigoratedandennobledbyanenthusiasticheart。Itwasalsoeasytodetesthimasahypocrite，todespisehimasademagogue，andtodreadhimasacraftymanipulatorofmenandthingsforthepurposesofhisownambition。
Itmighthavebeensupposedthatoneorotheroftheseconflictingjudgmentsmusthavebeenpalpablyabsurd，thatnothingshortofgrossprejudiceorwilfulblindness，ononesideortheother，couldreconcilesuchcontradictoryconceptionsofasinglehumanbeing。Butitwasnotso；’theelements’were’somixed’inMr。Gladstonethathisbitterestenemiesandhisenemieswerenevermildandhiswarmestfriendsandhisfriendswerenevertepidcouldjustify，withequalplausibility，theirdenunciationsortheirpraises。What，then，wasthetruth？Inthephysicaluniversetherearenochimeras。Butmanismorevariousthannature；wasMr。Gladstone，perhaps，achimeraofthespirit？
Didhisveryessencelieintheconfusionofincompatibles？Hisveryessence？Iteludesthehandthatseemstograspit。Oneisbaffled，ashispoliticalopponentswerebaffledfiftyyearsago。
Thesoftserpentcoilshardenintoquickstrengththathasvanished，leavingonlyemptinessandperplexitybehind。Speechwasthefibreofhisbeing；and，whenhespoke，theambiguityofambiguitywasrevealed。Thelong，winding，intricatesentences，withtheirvastburdenofsubtleandcomplicatedqualifications，befoggedthemindlikeclouds，andlikeclouds，too，droppedthunderbolts。Coulditnotthenatleastbesaidofhimwithcertaintythathiswasacomplexcharacter？Butherealsotherewasacontradiction。
Inspiteoftheinvolutionsofhisintellectandthecontortionsofhisspirit，itisimpossiblenottoperceiveastrainofnaiveteinMr。Gladstone。Headheredtosomeofhisprinciplesthatofthevalueofrepresentativeinstitutions，forinstancewithafaithwhichwassingularlyliteral；hisviewsuponreligionwereuncriticaltocrudeness；hehadnosenseofhumour。
ComparedwithDisraeli’s，hisattitudetowardslifestrikesoneasthatofaningenuouschild。Hisveryegoismwassimple-minded；
throughallthelabyrinthofhispassionsthereranasinglethread。Butthecentreofthelabyrinth？Ah！thethreadmightleadthere，throughthosewanderingmazes，atlast。Only，withthelastcornerturned，thelaststeptaken，theexplorermightfindthathewaslookingdownintothegulfofacrater。Theflameshotoutoneveryside，scorchingandbrilliant；butinthemidst，therewasadarkness。
ThatMr。Gladstone’smotivesandambitionswerenotmerelythoseofahunterafterpopularitywasnevershownmoreclearlythaninthatpartofhiscareerwhich，morethananyother，hasbeenemphasisedbyhisenemies——hisconducttowardsGeneralGordon。HehadbeenoriginallyopposedtoGordon’sappointment，buthehadconsentedtoitpartly，perhaps，owingtothepersuasionthatitspurposedidnotextendbeyondthemakingofa’report’。Gordononcegone，eventshadtakentheirowncourse；thepolicyoftheGovernmentbegantoslide，automatically，downaslopeatthebottomofwhichlaytheconquestoftheSudanandtheannexationofEgypt。SirGeraldGraham’sbloodyvictoriesawokeMr。
Gladstonetothetrueconditionofaffairs；herecognisedtheroadhewasonanditsdestination；buttherewasstilltimetoturnback。
ItwashewhohadinsisteduponthewithdrawaloftheEnglisharmyfromtheEasternSudan。Theimperialistsweresadlydisappointed。Theyhadsupposedthattheoldlionhadgonetosleep，andsuddenlyhehadcomeoutofhislair，andwasroaring。
AlltheirhopesnowcentreduponKhartoum。GeneralGordonwascutoff；hewassurrounded，hewasindanger；hemustberelieved。A
Britishforcemustbesenttosavehim。ButMr。Gladstonewasnottobecaughtnappingasecondtime。Whentheagitationrose，whenpopularsentimentwasdeeplystirred，whenthecountry，thePress，theSovereignherself，declaredthatthenationalhonourwasinvolvedwiththefateofGeneralGordon，Mr。Gladstoneremainedimmovable。OthersmightpicturethetriumphantrescueofaChristianherofromtheclutchesofheathensavages；beforeHIS
eyeswasthevisionofbattle，murder，andsuddendeath，thehorrorsofdefeatandvictory，theslaughterandtheanguishofthousands，theviolenceofmilitarydomination，theenslavementofapeople。
TheinvasionoftheSudan，hehadflashedoutintheHouseofCommons，wouldbeawarofconquestagainstapeoplestrugglingtobefree。’Yes，thosepeoplearestrugglingtobefree，andtheyarerightlystrugglingtobefree。’Mr。Gladstone——itwasoneofhisold-fashionedsimplicities——believedinliberty。If，indeed，itshouldturnouttobethefactthatGeneralGordonwasinseriousdanger，then，nodoubt，itwouldbenecessarytosendareliefexpeditiontoKhartoum。But，hecouldseenosufficientreasontobelievethatitwasthefact。Communications，itwastrue，hadbeeninterruptedbetweenKhartoumandCairo，butnonewswasnotnecessarilybadnews，andthelittleinformationthathadcomethroughfromGeneralGordonseemedtoindicatethathecouldholdoutformonths。Sohisagilemindworked，spinningitsfamiliarwebofpossibilitiesandcontingenciesandfinedistinctions。GeneralGordon，hewasconvinced，mightbehemmedin，buthewasnotsurrounded。Surely，itwasthedutyoftheGovernmenttotakenorashstep，buttoconsiderandtoinquire，and，whenitacted，toactuponreasonableconviction。Andthen，therewasanotherquestion。Ifitwastrue——andhebelieveditwastrue——thatGeneralGordon’slineofretreatwasopen，whydidnotGeneralGordonuseit？
PerhapshemightbeunabletowithdrawtheEgyptiangarrison，butitwasnotforthesakeoftheEgyptiangarrisonthatthereliefexpeditionwasproposed；itwassimplyandsolelytosecurethepersonalsafetyofGeneralGordon。AndGeneralGordonhaditinhispowertosecurehispersonalsafetyhimself；andherefusedtodoso；helingeredoninKhartoum，deliberately，wilfully，indefianceoftheobviouswishesofhissuperiors。Oh！itwasperfectlyclearwhatGeneralGordonwasdoing：hewastryingtoforcethehandoftheEnglishGovernment。HewashopingthatifheonlyremainedlongenoughatKhartoum，hewouldobligetheEnglishGovernmenttosendanarmyintotheSudanwhichshouldsmashuptheMahdi。That，then，wasGeneralGordon’scalculation！
Well，GeneralGordonwouldlearnthathehadmadeamistake。WhowashethatheshoulddaretoimaginethathecouldimposehiswilluponMr。Gladstone？Theoldman’seyesglared。Ifitcametoastrugglebetweenthem——well，theyshouldsee！Astheweekspassed，thestrangesituationgrewtenser。Itwaslikesomesilentdeadlygameofbluff。Andwhoknowswhatwaspassingintheobscuredepthsofthatterrifyingspirit？Whatmysteriousmixtureofremorse，rage，andjealousy？WhowasitthatwasultimatelyresponsibleforsendingGeneralGordontoKhartoum？
Butthen，whatdidthatmatter？Whydidnotthemancomeback？HewasaChristianhero，wasn’the？WeretherenootherChristianheroesintheworld？AChristianhero！LethimwaituntiltheMahdi’sringwasreallyroundhim，untiltheMahdi’sspearwasreallyabouttofall！Thatwouldbethetestofheroism！Ifheslippedbackthen，withhistailbetweenhislegs——！Theworldwouldjudge。