G.A. Henty was a 19th century novelist, special correspondent and Imperialist. His best-known works are historical adventures. Khartoum is the capital of Sudan. It is located at the point where the White Nile meets the Blue Nile. This area is known as The Mogran. From here the Nile flows to the Mediterranean Sea. Muhammad Ali, the ruler of Egypt, founded the city in 1821. It quickly left the status of outpost becoming the center of trade and especially the slave trade. When the city was invaded the British were led by General Gordon. This siege led to the massacre of the Anglo-Egyptian garrison. Henty used his cast knowledge of this area in writing this story in which two boys accompany the expedition to rescue General Gordon from the besieged city.