Khartoum Page #4

In a nutshell.

I must say, Mr. Gladstone,

you're hardly a bore.

You don't bore me either,

Gordon.

You're illogical

and insubordinate.

I know if I send you

to Khartoum...

you'll play tricks,

you'll exceed your orders...

and in the name of some

mystical necessity...

apparent only to yourself...

you'll do your ingenious best

to involve this government...

up to the hatband.

But you're

in a very poor patch...

and you have no one

to turn to but me.

Again, in a nutshell.

I'll take a chance on your

tricks. That's all I can say.

I'll see Sir Evelyn Baring

in Cairo...

brings pressure

on the Khedive...

to appoint you Governor General

of the Sudan...

but I cannot

and will not back you up.

This must be understood.

No British troops

will come up the Nile.

I will not assume a British

obligation to police the world.

If you can help the Sudan,

your country will be grateful.

If you can't...

My country will understand.

I'll go.

You'll come back safe.

Gordon, first, last,

and above all...

you'll come back safe.

Do you hear me?

I hear you.

You'll need an aide.

I have a good man in mind.

Isn't such a choice

my prerogative?

Not in this case.

He'll be useful to you.

And to you.

Naturally.

Well, Gordon...

God go with you,

and I don't envy God.

Put my luggage aboard, please.

Very good, sir.

Yes?

Your second-in-command, sir,

Colonel J.D.H. Stewart.

So.

This is for you, General.

You'll find my report in here.

It'll bring you up to date.

Am I to understand

that Gladstone has cursed me...

not only with a spy,

but with a subordinate...

who thinks he knows

more than I do?

I was brought here

in chains, sir.

I don't know what to think.

Brandy and soda, sir.

B & S? It sounds as though

you'll need one.

- Thank you, sir.

- Right. Sit down.

You are Gladstone's spy,

aren't you?

Yes, sir.

Would it be indiscreet

of your commanding officer...

to inquire

as to your instructions?

Not at all, sir.

I am to report

to Mr. Gladstone...

any actions you may take

which, in my opinion...

conflict with your instructions.

I am to inform you and

the government if necessary...

of any situation

which, in my opinion...

places you in physical danger.

And if anybody in

the course of this mission...

must risk his life,

then I'm to do it, not you.

Apart from that, sir,

I'm yours to command.

Tell me what, in your opinion,

Colonel Stewart...

are the chances

of my sacking you?

If they existed, sir...

I'd be the first

to point them out to you.

Drink your brandy.

Thank you.

We seem to have sailed.

Farewell, England.

So you and I are definitely

stuck with each other.

Yes, sir.

For heaven's sake, man,

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