These deserted to Khartoum daily, and the General fully
acquiesced in their doing so. As to Slatin's escape affecting the
treatment of the other European prisoners, it must be observed that when
at various times escapes were effected from Omdurman, and ultimately when
Slatin himself escaped, no ill-treatment was inflicted on the rest of the
prisoners; and even had such ill-treatment been the certain consequence
of an escape, that need not have debarred a man, according to the customs
of war, from attempting to regain his liberty. Nothing but his free and
formal promise, obtained in return for favours received, can alienate
that right. If the Mahdi chose to slaughter the remaining prisoners,
the responsibility rested with the Mahdi.
Slatin was, however, in no position to argue his case. His correspondence
with Gordon was discovered. For some days his life hung on a thread.
For several months he was heavily chained and fed on a daily handful of
uncooked doura, such as is given to horses and mules. Tidings of these
things were carried to Gordon. 'Slatin,' he observes icily, 'is still in
chains.' He never doubted the righteousness of the course he had adopted,
never for an instant. But few will deny that there were strong arguments
on both sides. Many will assert that they were nicely balanced. Gordon
must have weighed them carefully. He never wavered.
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