son.

I do not attempt to describe the international negotiations and
discussions that followed the receipt of the news in Europe, but it
is pleasing to remember that a great crisis found England united. The
determination of the Government was approved by the loyalty of the
Opposition, supported by the calm resolve of the people, and armed with
the efficiency of the fleet. At first indeed, while the Sirdar was
still steaming southward, wonder and suspense filled all minds; but when
suspense ended in the certainty that eight French adventurers were in
occupation of Fashoda and claimed a territory twice as large as France,
it gave place to a deep and bitter anger. There is no Power in Europe
which the average Englishman regards with less animosity than France.
Nevertheless, on this matter all were agreed. They should go. They
should evacuate Fashoda, or else all the might, majesty, dominion, and
power of everything that could by any stretch of the imagination be
called 'British' should be employed to make them go.

Those who find it difficult to account for the hot, almost petulant,
flush of resolve that stirred the nation must look back over the long
history of the Soudan drama. It had always been a duty to reconquer the
abandoned territory. When it was found that this might be safely done,
the duty became a pleasure. The operations were watched with extravagant
attention, and while they progressed the earnestness of the nation
increased. As the tides of barbarism were gradually driven back, the
old sea-marks came one after another into view. Names of towns that
were half forgotten--or remembered only with sadness--re-appeared on
the posters, in the gazettes, and in the newspapers. We were going back.
'Dongola,' 'Berber,' 'Metemma'--who had not heard of them before? Now
they were associated with triumph. Considerable armies fought on the
Indian Frontier. There was war in the South and the East and the West
of Africa. But England looked steadfastly towards the Nile and the
expedition that crawled forward slowly, steadily, unchecked, apparently
irresistible.

When the final triumph, long expected, came in all its completeness it
was hailed with a shout of exultation, and the people of Great Britain,
moved far beyond their wont, sat themselves down to give thanks to their
God, their Government, and their General. Suddenly, on the chorus of
their rejoicing there broke a discordant note. They were confronted with
the fact