The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-29
vi.

The conclusion Of the poignant story may be
recounted in a paragraph. On the morning of
Jan. "a. 1885. two OF the steamers sent forward
by Gordon started on their return voyage for
Khartoum, carrying Sir Charles Wilson and a
small detachment OF ENGLISH soldiers OF the
Sussex Regiment. The distance to be traversed
was about a hundred miles, but, midway In the
interval. the Sixth Cataract begins. and there
the Nile flows for twelve miles through narrow
rock-beset channels. 1t was nearly midday on
Jan. % before the boats. having cleared the
cataract. approached the north end OF the Isle OF
Tut. whence khartoum can first be seen on the
level point OF land between the Blue and White
Niles. As the steamer drew slowly on into the
broad waters. every glass was fixed upon the
palace There was no nag flying. Another half
hour passed. The city was now in full view.
Still no flag waved over the palace roof: no sign
OF welcome came from an expectant garrison on
the contrary, hostile guns opened fire upon the
steamers anG, amid the roar OF cannon and the
crackle Of musketry. rose the shrill shouts OF
Arab triumph to tell that all was over in Khar.
toum. What had happened was this: Three
hours before daybreak on Jan. %, the Arabs had
made a final assault upon the lines. They en-.
countered only the feehlest resistance. Hunger
had brought to the lowest point tho spirit OF a
garrison never strong; whether actual treachery
aided its help TO famine will probably never be
known. Once the lines were gained by the
enemy. the city lay at the mercy of its assail.
ants. Shortly before daybreak they seem TO
have advanced into the town. and. as the dawn
was breaking, they reached the ne!ghborhood
OF the palace. 1t was at this hour that
Gordon. reused by their yclls OF triumph
from the short and troubled slumber which
for months had been his only rest, quilted
the palace and moved Mt the head of a small
party OF soldiers toward the Church OF the Aus
trian Mission. which had been made the reserve
magazine Of the town. The supreme moment
had now come. Walking a few yards in adj
vance OF his party. which did not number more
than twenty. Gordon drew near tho church.
Ere yet the little band Of footmen had crossed
the open space. a body Of Arabs issued from a
neighborinR street. For a moment the two par
ties stood almost face 10 face. Then n volley OF
muskctry flashed out, and the most romantic
soldier OF our time was no more. A few days
nfterward his cory head was thrown with fierce
exultation by the Mlhdists at the feet OF Slatin
Pasha, for years aftcrward a prisoner In their
camp. to convince him that the English hero
had been slain.
No candid man can read the chapters Of this
book which treat of tho subject without being
convinced that the culpability for the death OF
Gordon rests, not upon Sir Charles Wilson. and
certainly not upon Lord Cromer, but upon the
Gladstone Government. At the same time. 1t
seems right that the British ministers Of that
day should be relieved OF al but the just burden
OF responsibility. heavy enough. in all con-
science, that rests upon them. 1t is to the credit
OF the author OF this book that he apportions
exactly their equitable share OF blame. The idea
or despatching Gordon to Khartoum by the
Nile route was not theirs, and their moral. as
distinct from their technical and official re-
sponsihility. does not begin with tho first
step In the deplorable transaction. 1t be-
gins. however. Immediately a~fterward. We
should bear In mind that 1t is not as though
the plan which they accepted from others
was foredoomed to failure, and necessarily
traught with the fato of their emissary. Had
That been the case. they might have shcltered
themselves, to some extent, behind the military
and other experts in Egypt. from whom they
LOOK. and. under the circumstances, could hardly
pave helped taking. their cue. AS a matter OF
tact' This was not the case. 1t was well within
their power to have made tho Khartoum enter
PRISE, II not successful, at any rate fairly safe;
ana 10 the extent TO which they neglected or ro-
,ected the arrangements by which this could
nave been effected they became as responsible
Tor inc tragic issue Of the venture as though 1t
was their original suggestion.