General Gordon reached Khartoum on February 18. Finding that things were even worse than he expected, he decided to avail himself of the services of Zebehr Pasha, and telegraphed to Cairo for the Government to allow him to come. Sir Evelyn Baring strongly advised that consent should be given, but Zebehr was of evil repute as a slave-driving chief; stringent instructions were sent from London that he was on no account to be employed, and that if he attempted to join Gordon he was to be detained by force. The Mahdi's forces invested Khartoum on March 23. Gordon, who had to contend with treachery inside the walls, as well as the open enemy outside, displayed extraordinary energy and ingenuity in defence, continuing to send urgent appeals for assistance, both for Khartoum and for Berber, which was also beleaguered. Berber fell before the end of May; still the British Government turned a deaf ear to Gordon's messages. At last the gallant General appealed from the Government to the "millionaires of England and America" to send him money enough to raise 2,000 or 3,000 Turkish troops to save Khartoum. It is, perhaps, well that by the beginning of May the enemy had gathered so closely round Khartoum that Lord Granville's response never reached Gordon. It was to the effect that Her Majesty's Government was not prepared to supply either Turkish or any other troops for military expeditions, and Gordon was reminded that the mission he had undertaken was of a pacific nature! But the spirit of the British people was galled by the indifference shown by the Government to the fate of their devoted servant; expressions of indignation grew louder and more frequent both in Parliament and in the press, and, at last, early in August, a vote of credit for £300,000 was obtained for the purpose of "preparations, as distinct from operations," for a possible expedition to Khartoum. Lord Wolseley went out to view the military aspect of affairs, and before long a strong force was ascending the Nile. [Illustration: A. Col. Frank Rhodes. B. General Sir Herbert Stewart (mortally wounded). C. Col. Talbot. _R. Caton Woodville._} {_From the Royal Collection, by permission of the Artist._ TOO LATE! After a gallant dash across the desert, the small force under General Stewart arrived within striking distance of Khartoum only to find that Gordon was dead.] [Sidenote: Too Late!]