Shouldthisoccur，Ishouldbeplacedinadangerouspositionwithsosmallaforce，asitwouldbenecessarytodetachhalfthelittlebodytomarchtoGondokoroforsupports。
IcouldnotdefermydepartureinthehopeofreceivingreinforcementsfromKhartoum，astheirarrivalwouldbequiteuncertain，owingtothestateoftheriver。
ShouldIdelayatGondokoro，thedryseasonwouldpassby；theground，nowbakedhardbythesun，wouldbecomesoft，andwouldrendertransportbycartsimpossible。
Thetorrentswouldbecomeimpassableduringtherains，especiallytheriverAsua，whichinthewetseasoncutsoffallcommunicationwiththesouth。Thisdangerousriverwasveryimportant，asitwouldpreventaretreatshouldsuchamovementbenecessaryduringtherainyseason。
Iwaswellawareofthedifficultiesoftheposition，butIhadonlythechoiceoftwoevils。IfIremainedatGondokoro，mytermofservicewouldexpirefruitlessly。IshouldsimplyhavereducedtheBaris，andhaveestablishedthestation。AbouSaoodwouldremainintheinterioramonghisnumerousslaveestablishments，toridiculemyimpotence，andtodefymyordersthatheshouldquitthecountry。HewouldthuscontinueintheheartofAfricauntilIshouldhavereturnedhelplesslytoEngland。Hewouldthenhaveresumedhisoriginalworkofspoliation。