Mr. Power confirms the worst accounts of Egyptian cowardice. The
soldiers in Khartoum did not mutiny, and must have done much work ; but on July 30th eight Arabs, armed only with spears, charged two hundred Egyptian soldiers armed with Rem- ingtons, and commanded by a most efficient officer named Saati Bey. The Egyptians fled at once, leaving Saati Bey to be killed ; and were so cowed that a single horseman rode through them, cutting down seven. It is impossible to account for such cowardice, except upon the theory .that the Egyptians believe the Mahdi to be a true messenger, and that for Mahommedans resistance is both wicked and hopeless. Yet these same men do not seize the English officers, do not join the Alahdi, and do not hesitate in laying mines or helping to defend the ships, to do him all the mis- chief in their power. They have, moreover, fought these same Arabs for fifty years, and have repeatedly defeated them. Their conduct is, in truth, inexplicable, and amply justifies the British Government in refusing to let fellaheen soldiers go to the front. It must not be forgotten that in Lower Egypt the Fellaheen stand thick on the ground, and if they had possessed fighting qualities, could not have been conquered and ruled by foreigners as they have been since the days of Alexander.
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