“It is difficult to estimate the number of those who have assembled around this fanatical leader, but probably it is in the vicinity of 1,500. We feared that they might take Fashoda, and so I went down to see about it. I have left troops at Fashoda, but the Sobat is abandoned, as there is really nothing there worth saving, except a few straw huts, and they are welcome to them if they want them. The station of Kaka is also left without a garrison. The people have become uneasy, and these events, taken with the news of the troubles at Cairo, have frightened them. We are expecting troops from Cairo, but not to put down this muss, which we hope will all be over before they arrive. We are short of troops at all points, and need more to protect the country. I would not advise you to go by boat. Wait and go by government steamer, if you go at all. I have just returned from Fashoda, and these are about the facts in the case.” The above statement does not differ materially from the current reports, except in the number of the insurgents, and that has probably been greatly exaggerated in the minds of the people. It must also be remembered that this is the best phase which the government, wishing to smooth the matter over and hush it up, can put upon it. The probable number of the insurgents is about five or six thousand. They are now armed with some 600 Remington rifles, besides their own native weapons, and are complete masters of the country west of Kaka, and towards Kardofan. They are said to have secret agents in Khartoum, who send them word of the movements of the government. Their numbers are also said to be increasing every day. Now, taking into consideration all that has been stated, we seem to be shut up to one of three courses, viz.: 1. To follow the advice of the more timid, and considering our journey necessarily brought to an end, to look about here, learn all that we can, and then to return. This has been suggested as perhaps our only course by some who wish to display “the better part of valor.” I may say that I have all along felt that while things are not as we could wish, that yet a way would be opened for us to go forward. I cannot bring myself to turn around now and go back, without at least seeing the Sobat. We both feel that nothing short of actual danger to life ought to turn us back from our purpose after coming so far, if we can find the means to go on. 2. To wait here till a government steamer is sent up to Gondokoro, take passage in it and see the country as best we can. The most we can learn about this plan is that no steamer is likely to leave here in less than a month; that it will take fifty days to reach Gondokoro, on account of the _sud_ and other obstructions, and that it will not be possible to get away from there before the rainy season sets in. The _sud_ is the great trouble. Sometimes whole weeks have to be spent in the marshes in one spot, cutting a channel through.