Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-11-16
An rarpr1An wAKINCIpEnr,

One of the incidents of the Egyptian cam
paign is very painful in its character, and it
illustrates The temper of the men who are
now Hocking 10 the standard OF Imam
Mahdi, the new prophet. Capt. Gill and Mr..
Palmer, two experienced oriental travellers,
speaking Arabic like natives, in company
with Lieut.. Charrington, were sent on spe-
cial mission 10 the desert tribes OF the Sinaitic
peninsula shortly after the English occupied
Suez. Their object was TO establish friendly
relations with the Bedouin chiefs, TO pur-
chase or hire camels for transport service,
and 10 arrange for regular supply of sheep.
Mr. Palmer being personally known to some
OF the tribes from his previous travels in
that part of the khedive's dominious, little
apprehension was felt for the safety of the
party. Not long had they started on their
journey, however, when intelligence reached
Sutz that the members OF the mission had been
seiz d by the B.douins and carried off into
the interior, and there, no doubt, foully
murdered by those upon whose hospitality
they had relied, though no direct intelligence
could be obtained. The gunboat Cockalrice
Harbor, thirly-ive miles from the southern
entrance to the Gulf of Suek; il is the land
ing Of the pilgrims OF the orthodox Greek
church on their way 10 Mount Sinai, where
a monastery has existed from the early days
of Christianity, and at the head of which il
an archbishop. The monastery is fortified, as
it has often been attacked by the Arabs.
From the monks there il was thought probs-
BILE inform alton would be obtained as 10 the
fate OF the missing party. The archbishop
visited the Cockatrice; he reported the
Bsdouius TO be much excited, fully believing
that the new prophet Imam Mshdi will con-
qner christendom and establish Mohammed
ism. More than 1000 of them were encamped
about Mount Sinai, and such was their tenn
per that an attack upon the monastery was
looked for. Since the archbishop's visit 10
the Cockatrice that temper has grown worse,
the Arabs regarding him as in league with
the English, end believing that the machiDa-
lions of the monks had brought that vessel
TO their shores. Through the archbishop
attempts were made 10 obtain q visit from
the Sheik of the Snsi Bedouins, but he sent
obviously false excuses and did not come.
He is suspected Of having principal hand
10 the capture Of the mission, as he was
aware Of Mr. Paimer's intended movements
1t il thought he intended holding the party
for ransom, but on hearing of Arabi's defeat
concluded il to be safer to make away with
his prisoners. The BedouiDs communicate
with were very insolent, and one of them
told the archbishop that the 9iaOurs need
not trouble themselves about the Kafr dogs.
They had been captured; and he himself had
cut their throais. Alter twelve days vain at
tempts the ship returned to Suez. When Mr..
Palmer and the rest left Suez they were in
regular Bedouin costume. Crossing the
canal at Suez, it is supposed they reached
the oasis known as the well of Moses. Then,
it is believed, Capt. Gill went on alone 10
Ghsza. Some of the Bsdouins saw him
there. He then, after a conference with the
local sbiek, probably started 10 return to
SuGz. After he left, the indie atious are the
two others were Immediately seized. A
heavy ransom is offered for their surrender,
but there is hardly doubt that all three
were put to death.