"We may take it as certain that the matter would be one of common talk.

Of course, Mahmud and his principal advisers might change their minds, at any moment.

Still I think that, were it intended to make a move against us, or to Berber, it would be generally known.
"I may tell you that we do not intend to cross the Bayuda desert.

We shall go up the river, but this is a secret that will be kept till the last moment.

And before we start, we shall do all in our power to spread a belief that we are going to advance to Metemmeh.