Deep anxiety has been felt as to the fate of
Mr. Palmer, the learned Professor of Arabic, best known, perhaps, to our readers as the author of a splendid monograph upon Haroun el Raschid- He was employed by Government to deal with the Bedouin -tribes who, during the war, threatened the Canal ; and on August 10th, he quitted Suez, in company with Lieutenant Charrington, R.N., and Captain Gill, R.E., who had orders to cut the telegraph wires into Arabia. They marched out towards Gaza, and have never been seen since. It was believed they had. been murdered for the sake of the large sum in gold Mr. Palmer had with him ; and on Thursday intelligence was received from Colonel Warren, 'employed at Suez, which, as regards Captain Gill and Lieu- tenant Charrington, appears conclusive. Relics had been .found belonging to them which showed they had been murdered by the Bedouins!. Nothing, however, has been
f ound belonging to Mr. Palmer, and it is possible that, with his perfect knowledge of Arabs, he may have been spared. The Times' correspondent, however, affirms, .apparently on later authority from Colonel Warren, that all
t hree were killed by order of the Governor of /quid, who offered -them the alternative of jumping off a precipice or being shot. Mr. Palmer jumped, but the other two were shot The story .should be carefully sifted, and the Governor of Nakl, if it proves true, should be hunted down. It will, probably, not be found !necessary to give him English Counsel.
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