As soon as Gordon had been finally refused the assistance of Zubehr Pasha, it was evident that the rescue of the garrisons was impossible.  The General had been sent as the last hope.  Rightly or wrongly, his recommendations were ignored.  His mission was an admitted failure.  After that the only question was how to bring him away as quickly as possible.  It was certain that he would not come willingly.  Force was necessary.  Yet it was difficult to know how to apply it.  After the victories in the Eastern Soudan the opportunity presented itself.  The road was open.  The local tribes were crushed.  Berber had not then fallen.  The Mahdi was himself still on the road from El Obeid to Khartoum.  Sir Evelyn Baring saw the chance.  He did not then occupy the formidable and imposing position in Egyptian politics that he has since attained.  But with all his influence he urged the despatch of a small flying column to Khartoum.  His idea was simple.  One thousand or twelve hundred men were to mount on camels and ride thither via Berber.  Those who fell ill or whose camels broke down would have to take their chance by the roadside.  The plan, however, broke down in the military detail.  Only one honourable course remained—­a regular expedition.  This the British Agent at once began to urge.  This the Government obstinately refused to admit; and meanwhile time was passing.

The situation at Khartoum became grave even before the breach between General Gordon and Mr. Gladstone’s Cabinet was complete.  While the British Government was indulging in vengeful operations in the Eastern Soudan, the Mahdi advanced slowly but steadily upon the town with a following variously estimated at from fifteen to twenty thousand men.  On the 7th of March Colonel Stewart telegraphed from Khartoum:  ’The Mahdi has attempted to raise the people of Shendi by an emissary. . . .  We may be cut off;’ [Lieut.-Colonel Stewart to Sir E. Baring, March 7, 1884.] and on the 11th Gordon himself reported:  ’The rebels are four hours distant on the Blue Nile.’ [Major-General Gordon to Sir E. Baring, March 11, 1884.] Thereafter no more telegrams came, for on the 15th the wire was cut between Shendi and Berber, and the blockade had commenced.

The long and glorious defence of the town of Khartoum will always fascinate attention.  That one man, a European among Africans, a Christian among Mohammedans, should by his genius have inspired the efforts of 7,000 soldiers of inferior race, and by his courage have sustained the hearts of 30,000 inhabitants of notorious timidity, and with such materials and encumbrances have offered a vigorous resistance to the increasing attacks of an enemy who, though cruel, would yet accept surrender, during a period of 317 days, is an event perhaps without parallel in history.  But it may safely be predicted that no one will ever write an account which will compare in interest or in detail with that set forth by the man himself in the famous.  ‘Journals at Khartoum.’