renewed attack. Indeed, it was with consternation that
they had heard of the approach of the flotilla. The natives had carried
the news swiftly up the river that the Dervishes were coming back with
five steamers, and for three nights the French had been sleeplessly
awaiting the assault of a powerful enemy.

Their joy and relief at the arrival of a European force were
undisguised. The Sirdar and his officers on their part were thrilled
with admiration at the wonderful achievements of this small band of
heroic men. Two years had passed since they left the Atlantic coast.
For four months they had been absolutely lost from human ken. They had
fought with savages; they had struggled with fever; they had climbed
mountains and pierced the most gloomy forests. Five days and five nights
they had stood up to their necks in swamp and water. A fifth of their
number had perished; yet at last they had carried out their mission and,
arriving at Fashoda on the 10th of July, had planted the tricolour upon
the Upper Nile.

Moved by such reflections the British officers disembarked. Major
Marchand, with a guard of honour, came to meet the General. They shook
hands warmly. 'I congratulate you,' said the Sirdar, 'on all you have
accomplished.' 'No,' replied the Frenchman, pointing to his troops; 'it
is not I, but these soldiers who have done it.' And Kitchener, telling
the story afterwards, remarked, 'Then I knew he was a gentleman.'

Into the diplomatic discussions that followed, it is not necessary
to plunge. The Sirdar politely ignored the French flag, and, without
interfering with the Marchand Expedition and the fort it occupied,
hoisted the British and Egyptian colours with all due ceremony,
amid musical honours and the salutes of the gunboats. A garrison was
established at Fashoda, consisting of the XIth Soudanese, four guns of
Peake's battery, and two Maxims, the whole under the command of Colonel
Jackson, who was appointed military and civil commandant of the Fashoda
district.

At three o'clock on the same afternoon the Sirdar and the gunboats
resumed their journey to the south, and the next day reached the mouth
of the Sobat, sixty-two miles from Fashoda. Here other flags were
hoisted and another post formed with a garrison of half the XIIIth
Soudanese battalion and the remaining two guns of Peake's battery. The
expedition then turned northwards, leaving two gunboats--the Sultan and
the Abu Klea--at the disposal of Colonel Jack