s daring and
energy. His efforts to communicate with Gordon in Khartoum did not,
however, meet with much success, and the Journals bristle with so many
sarcastic comments that their editor has been at pains to explain in his
preface that there was really no cause for complaint. Major Kitchener,
however, gave satisfaction to his superiors in Cairo, if not to the
exacting General at Khartoum, and in 1886 he was appointed Governor
of Suakin. This post, always one of responsibility and danger, did not
satisfy Kitchener, whose ambition was now taking definite form. Eager
for more responsibility and more danger, he harried and raided the
surrounding tribes; he restricted and almost destroyed the slender trade
which was again springing up, and in consequence of his measures the
neighbourhood of Suakin was soon in even greater ferment than usual.
This culminated at the end of 1887 in the re-appearance and advance of
Osman Digna. The movements of the Dervishes were, however, uncertain.
The defences of the town had been greatly strengthened and improved
by the skill and activity of its new Governor. [See dispatch from
Major-General Dormer to War Office, Cairo, April 22, 1888: 'With regard
to the military works and defenses of the town, I was much struck with
the great improvement that has been effected by Colonel Kitchener since
my last visit to Suakin in the autumn of 1884.] Osman Digna retreated.
The 'friendlies' were incited to follow, and Kitchener, although he had
been instructed not to employ British officers or Egyptian regulars in
offensive operations, went out in support. At Handub on the morning of
the 17th of January, 1888, the friendlies attacked the camp of Osman
Digna. They were at first successful; but while they dispersed to
plunder the enemy rallied and, returning, drove them back with loss.
Kitchener arrived on the field with the support, to find a defeat
instead of a victory awaiting him. He bravely endeavoured to cover the
retreat of the friendlies, and in so doing was severely--as it first
seemed dangerously--wounded in the jaw. The loss among the friendlies
and the support amounted to twenty men killed and two British officers
and twenty-eight men wounded. The Governor returned in great pain and
some discomfiture to Suakin. In spite of his wound and his reverse he
was impatient to renew the conflict, but this was definitely forbidden
by the British Government. Colonel Kitchener's military conduct was
praised,