'There was a slight laugh
when Khartoum heard Baring was bumping his way up here-- a
regular Nemesis.' But, when Sir Evelyn Baring actually arrived--
in whatever condition-- what would happen? Gordon lost himself in
the multitude of his speculations. His own object, he declared,
was, 'of course, to make tracks'. Then in one of his strange
premonitory rhapsodies, he threw out, half in jest and half in
earnest, that the best solution of all the difficulties of the
future would be the appointment of Major Kitchener as Governor-
General of the Sudan. The Journal ended upon a note of menace and
disdain: 'Now MARK THIS, if the Expeditionary Force, and I ask
for no more than 200 men, does not come in ten days, the town may
fall; and I have done my best for the honour of our country.
Good-bye.--C. G. G0RD0N.
'You send me no information, though you have lots of money. C. G.
G.'
To his sister Augusta he was more explicit. 'I decline to agree,'
he told her, 'that the expedition comes for my relief; it comes
for the relief of the garrisons, which I failed to accomplish. I
expect Her Majesty's Government are in a precious rage with me
for holding out and forcing their hand.' The admission is
significant. And then came the final adieux. 'This may be the
last letter you will receive from me, for we are on our last
legs, owing to the delay of the expedition.
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