Khartoum Page #7

the Sultan in Constantinople.

They're all for public display.

There's only one appeal

that matters... Wolseley.

And through Wolseley,

Gladstone.

Perhaps now

you can convince him.

Get through.

You'll get through.

Good luck.

Gordon Pasha,

we are ready to sail.

Thank you, Hassan.

Why didn't we go, Gordon Pasha?

Why wasn't I on the boat,

Gordon Pasha?

I should've gone on the boat.

This is Metemmah.

We'll refuel.

Beyond here,

the shore is held solidly...

by Mahdi's tribesmen...

so you better go ashore

and stretch your legs.

Be your last chance.

Firewood? We have no firewood.

Well, trees.

Trees? Do you see trees?

Yes, a mile or two

from the town...

and Egyptians

hanging from them...

I need fuel.

Tear out the dock!

Come on!

This is all we have left?

This is all we have left.

Excellency, do not blame

the superintendent.

Someone presented

orders for grain...

with your forged signature

and seal.

He sold it in the town

for profit.

Find him.

He will be executed.

For how long shall we eat?

The garrison will eat

for about two weeks.

The town...

Requisition all stocks of grain

in the hands of merchants.

There is little, Gordon Pasha.

All privately-owned livestock,

donkeys, goats, camels.

We ride beneath no more

desert stars, then.

All things must end.

Take him, too.

We reach Berber

tomorrow morning.

This is the main point

of blockade...

so we'll be attacked

from both shores.

If we get through...

it'll be luck, discipline,

and surprise.

Pray for surprise.

And pray also

that Mohammed al Khalia...

has no heavy guns.

Can't we move any further from

the shore than this, Captain?

I'm sorry, Stewart Pasha.

We're already too close

to the sand bank.

Full speed.

Number one, fire!

Number two, fire!

Fire at will!

They have no heavy guns.

We'll make it.

They're coming.

Below.

Salaam Malachim.

Malachim Salaam.

The Mahdi and l... we look at

each other across the river...

we assault each other

with assurance.

Mostly the assurance

that we're still here.

I'm late. Forgive me.

Where is the army?

For whom do you speak,

Sheikh Osman?

For myself,

for the leaders of our people.

We do not come to you,

Gordon Pasha...

with cries and wails...

"Why did you not send us

down the river...

"beyond the fringe of danger?"

We are not of Egypt.

We are Sudanese.

And this is our country...

and this is our people

within these walls.

When does the army come?

Good sirs, I can only

tell you what I know.

I sent Stewart Pasha downriver

to urge all possible haste.

It has been ten days.

He should have reached

Major Kitchener in five or six.

It should not be long.

How long?

The Nile is low, Gordon Pasha.

Bellies grow empty.

Men feed on fear.

You do not have this fear

of death yourself, Excellency?

It's a luxury

I've put behind me.

You are exceptional.

Gordon Pasha, when we accepted

your protection...

for ourselves

and for our people...

the Mahdi marked our souls

for damnation.

We were not afraid.

We trusted you.

Did we choose correctly?

You could not choose otherwise.

It was against

your convictions.

We now speak of life and death,

not convictions.

Do you propose going over

to the Mahdi?

We propose nothing.

We ask, "Where is the army?"

I don't know.

I am wondering,

is there an army?

Don't call me a liar!

I beg of you...

or I shall have

to lock you up.

We are locked up now.

Sheikh Osman...

you are Khartoum's

most respected citizen.

If you leave,

the city's spirit will break.

It will surely fall.

And you will be responsible

for its massacre.

I have no choice but to stay.

I repeat...

you have us locked in.

- Gordon Pasha...

- Wait!

If you were given the choice,

you still could not do this.

You could not leave Khartoum.

When one cannot choose,

one can never know.

But you will understand,

will you not, Excellency...

that there are those

among us...

more afraid of death

than yourself.

We cannot all be exceptional.

Gordon Pasha, the police.

They have the man

who stole the grain.

Awaan, is this true?

Tomorrow morning.

Firing squad, take aim!

Fire!

As Governor General

of the Sudan...

I issue the following

proclamation...

at dawn tomorrow...

the city gate to the south

will be opened.

It will stand open

for three hours.

All inhabitants of the city who

wish to leave...

and seek the protection

of Mohammed Ahmed...

known as the Mahdi...

will be free to do so.

No hindrance will be

placed in their way.

I can't believe it.

When did you say

the others passed through?

A month ago.

An armed steamer

called the Abbas...

passed through Metemmah

downstream a month ago...

and is since unreported.

General Gordon had placed

all of Khartoum's Europeans...

aboard the steamer...

with instructions

to run the blockade.

Colonel Stewart was in command.

Stewart!

Are you quite sure that

General Gordon wasn't on board?

General Gordon

remained in Khartoum.

Sir, the Nile is falling.

What he's done is to make

a public announcement, sir...

that cannot be misunderstood.

He'll never leave.

Gentlemen...

if you please.

We move instantly on Khartoum.

Only the camel corps is ready.

You, Sir Herbert,

will take command.

I will stay here

with the main force...

moving up as soon as possible.

But you will go ahead

by water to Debba...

make a formation there...

and then take the desert

crossing to Metemmah...

there to embark for Khartoum.

Kitchener knows the route

and the wells.

Move, gentlemen.

Stand your camels.

Mount!

Advance in a column of sections

from the right.

Walk!

Did you pack the powder tightly?

Yes, Gordon Pasha.

All right, then.

No, not too much sand

on the fuse, men.

Give it plenty of air to burn.

Now, you see, by firing this

pistol into the tinderbox...

we can set off as many fuses

as we have running into them.

Like this.

Come along.

- Call your men in.

- Right. Over here.

Quickly.

Good. Should be able to set off

about twenty fuses...

from each tinderbox.

I'll want at least 400 pots.

The whole approach to the city

must be mined.

Yes, Gordon Pasha.

Halt!

Form battle square.

Take up action stations.

Down!

By now the Christian soldiers

are on the river.

- Attack, beloved one.

- Attack now, holy person.

There is no more time.

It is the moment.

Beloved one, give me the word.

Do I make my preparations?

Send me the one

who writes English words.

- Wonderful!

- Gentlemen, what is this?

Excellency!

From Major Kitchener,

a message at last!

British soldiers have crossed

the desert at Metemmah.

They approach Khartoum

on the river!

And Stewart Pasha?

He's safe, Excellency.

Their bus was delayed,

but it is safe.

But the messenger says, so

you'll know the news is true...

"Stewart Pasha still has

the ring you gave him."

Give the man money,

something to eat.

The messenger

from the Major Kitchener...

eats and says thank you.

He's very brave.

I said to the messenger,

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