Dongola Expedition, 1896. 183 In 1892 raids recommenced on the frontier, and in 1892. December a serions raid was only stopped by a fierce fight at Ambigol, in which Bimbashi Pyne was killed, together with 26 of his men.

In July, 1893, another big raid was made by Osman 1893. Azrak on the oasis of Beris, and 11 natives were taken prisoners. As the Khargeh, Beris, and Dakhleh oases were thus threatened, posts were established at these places. In November the Dervishes raided Murrat Wells and killed Saleh Bey, Sheikh of the Ababdeh.

In 1894 little occurred of importance on the Nile, 1394.

though the year was memorable for the capture of Kassala by the Italians (v. p. 193). In the beginning of 1895 Shebb oasis was attacked, 1895. but the ra : ders were repulsed, and at the end of the year an attack was made on Adendan, a village north of Haifa. These raids, however, were soon to be avenged, for in March, 1896, it was determined to retake Dongola, 1896. and the Egyptian Army was concentrated along the frontier by the end of that month. Reference must here be made to the successful escapes Escapes of three Europeans from Omdurman : Father Ohrwalder Jmurman. in December, 1891 ; Father Rossignoli in October, 1894 ; and Slatin Bey in February, 1895. These gave most valuable accounts of affairs at Omdurman, and besides corroborating information already gained, the latter, in particular, threw a vivid light on the state of the Dervish power. On 20th March (1896), an advanced Sudanese brigade Egyptian occupied Akasheh, and on the 1st May a cavalry skirmish advance -with the enemy took place near this spot. The railway was quickly pushed on across the Batn el Hagar, and on the 7th June the Sirdar surprised and almost annihilated the Dervish garrison at Firket, pushing his cavalry on to Battle of a j ni i n j x-l • £ n • Firket, 7th buarda. Cholera now travelled up the river irom Cairo, June) 1896 . and for 10 days caused considerable casualties. The cholera, railway meanwhile reached Kosheh on the 4th August, and the Egyptian forces pushed on to the Dongola. Province. At Hafir the enemy were in force, but (19th September) were driven out by gunboats and artillery, and on the 23rd of the same month the army marched occupation into Dongola, the enemy, under Wad Bishara, refusing Seinto meet them in the open, and bolting southwards in a ber, 1896.

disorganised rabble. The retreat was quickly turned into