146 EGYPT AND THE SOUDAN.

ever, understood that the worst physical difficulties with which the infantry would have to wrestle were to be encountered on the first part of the journey; for between Hamdab and Abu-Hamed there are, in addition to obstacles unmarked on the official charts, the cataracts of Tejai, Bahak, Edernah, Kabenat, Tuari, and Om Deras. The last of these was only between 60 and 70 miles from Hamdab, and once overcome the remainder of the journey to Abu-Hamed would, it was thought, be comparatively easy. But the whole of the work would be of an extremely laborious character, as the boats could reckon upon little assistance from the wind until Abu-Hamed was reached.

The latest intelligence before the starting of the column was that on the 23d of December Berber was quiet and contained only a few soldiers, the rest of the force having been scattered in the surrounding villages, but that the town was surrounded by an intrenchment, and some guns were placed on the left bank. At Abu-Hamed, on the 3d of January, there was a small garrison and no defences. Major Rundle and Sheikh Saleh Bey had made a reconnaissance to near Abu-Hamed in November, and the sheikhs who were then there not having reported it, had been replaced by two others. From Birti, news had been brought to the camp at Hamdab, to the effect that Suleiman Wad Gamr, having returned from Berber, had gone to Salamat to meet Lekalik, who had taken reinforcements of 1000 men frcrm Berber, and was at Salamat waiting for more troops. On the i8th of January Lekalik was at Birti with 1500 dervishes and men of the Monassir and Robatab, over whom he had been placed in command, and he was said to have been desirous of advancing to fight the British column, but was persuaded by Suleiman to remain at Birti, where he still was, though Suleiman had tried to induce him to retire to the Shukook Pass. The force at Birti, in front of our advancing column, was about 3000, consisting of Berberines, Monassir, and Robatab, and about 500 were armed with rifles.

Their commander was still anxious to come to a fight.

The date which had been fixed for the advance from Hamdab to Birti was punctually observed. On the morning of the 24th