STRANGE STORY FROM KHARTOUM.

Kumara Times, Issue 2768, 5 August 1885, Page 3

STRANGE STORY FROM KHARTOUM.

The special correspondent of the «Sheffield Daily Telegraph ” at Cairo gives the following remarkable story A Coptic merchant, who was one of the few men who managed to escape from Khartoum after the massacre, has arr ived here, after a long and painful journey, and has made a mosy astounding statement to the authorities. He asserts in the most positive manner, partly from his own observation and partly from information supplied to him on the spot by credible eye-wit-nesses, that shortly after the massacre which followed the entry of the tebe 8. and before the terrible confusion 'exulting therefrom had subsided, the Mahdi, hearing that Gordon had been slain, ordered his head to be brought before him. The rebels at once produced the head of Herr Hansal, the Austrian Consul, which was at first accepted as that of the gallant Gordon. But as it lay upon the ground it was recognised by one of the rebels, who knew Hansal well, and a hue and cry for Gordon was at once raised. The city was scouied by parties of the rebels, and every Dmopean course was examined, but without result. Indeed, no trace could be found either of Gordon nr of Abougatas, a rich merchant long resident in Khartoum, or of Gordon’s two cavasses. Neither were any documents found, and the most diligent search failed to bring to light any of the clothing usually worn by Gordon. The narrator, therefore, believes that there is at least a slight chance that Gordon may have made good his escape, and that he has fled south, in the direction of Senaar. I have seen the Coptic referred to, and can testify that he is a smart, honest-looking man, whom one would be inclined to trust.