The existing position on the Nile is believed to be
this. Agents of the Mahdi are besieging General Gordon with large forces of Arabs, who, however, make little impression, General Gordon's troops being obedient, and the fire of the steamers embarrassing the attack. General Gordon has supplies which will certainly last till November, and probably longer ; but fears are entertained as to his stores of ammu- nition, which must be daily declining. He is known also .0 have some command of money. Proceeding northwards, Berber is certainly in the Mahdi's hands, and his agents for another 200 miles occasionally create alarm. Dongola, the next im- portant place, is in the hands of an Egyptian officer, who received Major Kitchener well ; but is strongly suspected of holding close relations with the Mahdi. Colonel Colvile, who is with him, even advises distrust by telegraph. He is acting in- dependently ; but will probably join the strongest side, which, in a few weeks, will be the British. Beyond Dongola up to Sarras the river may be considered in neutral hands, or protected by the desert, and thence to Assouan it is both nominally and really Egyptian. It is not probable, therefore, that the Expedition will be *much harassed unless Khartoum falls ; but if it does, the whole country down to Assouan will revolt, and a determined attempt will be made to prevent the ascent of the Expedition. The boats, however, will ascend in divisions, and the Arabs have no artillery with which to stop them, nor could they prevent the soldiers landing.
