e, it is possible that he did so,
only to perish afterwards. But I can well understand how, having learnt
so much, you should be anxious to hear more. Certainly, I will grant
your request for leave to go down to Hebbeh. As you know, that place
was taken and destroyed, by the river column under Earle; or rather
under Brackenbury, for Earle had been killed in the fight at Kirkeban.
Numerous relics were found of the massacre, but the journal Stewart was
known to have kept was not among them. Had it been there it would, no
doubt, have mentioned the survivor of Hicks's army, who was coming down
the river with him.

"The place was deserted when Brackenbury arrived. It certainly was so,
when we came up. Since then, some of the inhabitants have probably
returned; and may know of places where plunder was hidden away, on the
approach of Brackenbury's column. No doubt the offer of a reward would
lead to their production.

"You may not have to be absent long. The British regiments are to go
down at once, and several steamers will start tomorrow. I will give you
an order to go with them. You will have no difficulty in getting back,
for the Sirdar has already decided that the railway is to be carried
on, at once, from Atbara to Khartoum; and has, I believe, telegraphed
this morning that material and stores are to be sent up, at once. Most
of these will, no doubt, be brought on by rail; but grain, of which
large quantities will be required, for the use of our troops and of the
population of the town, will come on by water.

"But, no doubt, your quickest way back will be to ride to Abu Hamed,
and take the train up to Atbara."

"I will be back as soon as I can, General. I am much obliged to you,
for letting me go."

"I will tell the Sirdar that I have given you leave, and why. It is not
absolutely necessary, but it is always well that one's name should be
kept to the front."

The next day, Gregory saw the General again.

"I mentioned, to the Sirdar, that you wanted a fortnight's leave, and
told him why. He simply nodded, and said, 'Let him have a month, if he
wants it.'

"He had other things to think of; for, this morning, a small Dervish
steamer came down the White Nile. They had the Khalifa's flag flying,
and had not heard of what had taken place, till one of the gunboats ran
alongside her. Of course she surrendered, at once.

"It is a curious story they told. They left Omdurman a month ago with
the Sapphire, which carried