uns. At the same time the force that was to be sent
across to reoccupy and assist in rebuilding the ruined Government
buildings in Khartoum also turned out for inspection. Nothing was left
to chance. Care was taken that only those fit and well should proceed
on the gunboats and barges to Fashoda. Provision was made that the
work of reconstruction should go on in his absence, and that Khartoum
and Omdurman should be left in a proper state of defence. A great air
of official mystification and secrecy prevailed respecting everything
that happened at that time. Particulars were difficult to glean of the
actual condition of affairs up the Blue and White Niles. Even the
plans for the removal of the military headquarters and the
re-establishment of the central authority in Khartoum were sealed
against us. As the telegraph service was in the Sirdar's hands, much
of the pains bestowed to keep news from us was surely unnecessary.
But the Sirdar has a way of bestowing confidences on no one--simply
issuing orders when the occasion arrives.

Since my return to England a reference to the correspondence disclosed
in the official despatches or Fashoda Blue-book proves the correctness
of the information that reached me even at that early stage. From the
summary of the documents which appeared in the _Daily Telegraph_ of
10th October, we learn that "before the battle of Omdurman Lord
Salisbury had given instructions to the Sirdar through Lord Cromer,"
as follows:--

"It is desirable that you should be placed in possession of the
views of Her Majesty's Government in respect to the line of action
to be followed in the event of Khartoum being occupied at an early
date by the forces now operating in the Soudan under the command
of Sir Herbert Kitchener.

"Her Majesty's Government do not contemplate that after the
occupation of Khartoum any further military operations on a large
scale, or involving any considerable expense, will be undertaken
for the occupation of the provinces to the south. But the Sirdar
is authorised to send two flotillas, one up the White and the
other up the Blue Nile.

"You are authorised to settle the composition of these two forces
in consultation with the Sirdar.

"Sir Herbert Kitchener should in person command the White Nile
flotilla as far as Fashoda, and may take with him a small body of
British troops, should you concur with him in thinking suc