Egypt and the Sitdan 135
Sinkat, fell after long sieges. A British force, organised
for their relief, had advanced from Suakim as far as
Tokar, defeated the Dervishes at El Teb and Tamai
(February 29 and March 13, 1884), and withdrawn
again, not without difficulty. This campaign was, in
fact, an anticipation of the catastrophe that was to follow
at Khartum.
When the British Government in this difficulty
decided to send General Gordon to effect the evacua-
tion of Khartum, the only public criticism was that they
should have sent him sooner. But the appointment was
arranged by those members of the Cabinet least opposed
to a Sudanese campaign ; and the consent of Cromer,
who knew Sudanese conditions and Gordon's character,
was only with difficulty obtained. The appointment, how-
ever, appealed to the Government because Gordon's
public popularity and his prestige as a philanthropist
protected them against criticism of evacuation from their
anti-slavery supporters.
The question as to what Gordon's instructions were
has been much debated ; but is, as Cromer points out,
of little real importance. Because Gordon was notoriously
not a man to be bound by any instructions. The British
Government seems to have assumed that he was only
sent out to report; but the Egyptian Government, still
anxious to avoid evacuation, gave him full powers as
Governor-General. He was, however, prevented by
Cromer from taking with him his old enemy, the slave
dealer Zobeir. One of his first proclamations was to the
effect that he would not again attack slavery. He was
received at Khartum with acclamation (February 18,
1884), and made himself popular by remitting taxes,
releasing prisoners, and reorganising the administration.
He had announced that he was coming to evacuate the