EGYPTIAN ITEMS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6440, 3 October 1882, Page 3

EGYPTIAN ITEMS.

Sir Garnet Wolssley, whose indisposition at the time of his departure for Egypt was reported by cable, was suffering, we learn from Vanity Fair, not from Cyprus fever, as was at first stated, but from a severe attack of erysipelas in the eye. He embarked hurriedly, because it was feared that if he delayed he might not be able to go out at

all. "It is impossible," remarks Vanity Fair, "not to admire his courage and determination, and there is no doubt whate\ er that he is the best man who could possibly have been sent."

Among the more noteworthy incidents is the capture of a young midshipman named Dudley De Chair, who was sent from Ras-el-Tin to the Ramleh outposts with dispatches. He was decoyed by a soldier, who offered to show him the way, and handed him over to the Egyptians. An Armenian who was present when he was brought into camp says he was taken before Arabi, who asked whether he had parents. On his replying in the affirmative, Arabi said, "They will be afraid to hear you are with man-eating Arabi," and then asked whether he preferred staying there or returning to his ship. The boy replied that he preferred the ship, as he had work to do. Arabi said: " Excellent; you prefer work to idleness ; meanwhile, you shall go to Cairo," and gave careful orders fur his good treatment. Another version states that the young midshipman said he wished greatly to return to his duty. "What! to fight me?" asked Arabi. " Certainly, to fight you and the enemies of my country." Arabi turned to his officers and said: "That is the spirit I should like to raise in Egypt." He then dismissed the lad with much kindness. The

midshipman's arrival in Cairo caused a great sensation. Thousands of persons assembled with torches and lanterns, shouting that the Sultan had gained a great victory over the English. It was thought that the prisoner was Admiral Seymour. He was conducted in a closed carriage to the Eoole d'Ali, opposite the Abdiu Palace, and was there lodged. He has been well taken care of, and allowed to .send to Alexandria for his kit.

Sir Garnet Wolseley is not only a successful general, but a prophet. Truth, of August 3rd, contains the following:—" Sir Garnet Wolseley has announced that, no matter what the resistance of Arabi may be, he will be vanquished on the 15th of September. I trust that this van, ridi, rici will prove correct." It was on the 15th September that the British cavalry entered Cairo, and that Arabi was handed over to them a prisoner. According to a telegram from Suez published in the Ceylon Observer of August 23rd, Professor Palmer, Major Gill, and Flag-lieutenant H. Charrington, of 11.M.5. Kuryalus, who went into the interior under a friendly Arab escort, with the object of purchasing camels, were captured by hostile Arabs. They had with them £3000 in cash.

The actiou of Chalouf, according to a Bombay telegram of August 23rd, published in the Ceylon Observer, was a smart affair. The gunboats Seagull and Mosquito took two companies of Highlanders up the Canal to a point opposite the enemy's position, and shelled it. Afterwards the Highlanders, with the marines and bluejackets, landed and attacked the enemy, who offered a stubborn resistance, but our troops being supported by a destructive fire of Gntlings from the gunboats, took the position at the point of the bayonet, completely routing the enemy. The remainder of the Highlanders marched from Suez along the Canal, but did not reach the scene of action until tho fighting was over. The British loss was A killed and 14 wounded. The Highlanders afterwards marched to Ismailia. A telegram dated Simla, August 23rd, says :—" A further report from General Macpherson states that in the action at Chalouf, the enemy, who were about 3000 strong, lost 108 killed and about 300 wounded. One of

their guns was captured. The loss on the British side was two men of the Seaforth Highlanders drowned, and two wounded."