184 Operations, 1898.

a rout by the pursuing troops, and the river was occupied up to Merowe.

1897. 1897 began by completing the railway to Kerma (which. Abu Flamed, it reached on the 4th May), and by starting a new i897 AuSUSt ' raway from Haifa to Abu Hamed across the Korosko Desert. Abu Hamed was taken after a sharp fight on the 7th August by a flying column under Major- General Hunter, and Berber was occupied by friendlies on the last day of that month, the Dervishes evacuating it at Occupation our approach. The occupation was quickly confirmed 6th B septem- 7 *h e regular troops (6th September), and four gunber, 1897. boats were dragged, under circumstances of exceptional difficulty, up the Fourth Cataract (August).

The army was then placed in occupation of the river from the Atbara to Dongola, but, in consequence of the intention of the enemy to recapture Berber, it was con-1898. centrated about this place in January, 1898. The railway meanwhile reached Aba Hamed on the 4th November, 1897, and was pushed forward along the right bank towards Berber.

In March a British brigade was despatched to reinforce the Egyptian troops, and the army moved up the Atbara to intercept Mahmud, who, with Osman Digna and a large force, was making for Berber.

Battle of the The resulting battle of the Atbara (8th April) and ApriiTi898. total destruction of Mahmud's force must still be fresh in the reader's mind. During the spring and summer further preparations were made for the final destruction, with the help of two British brigades, of the Khalifa's power.