FEELING THE WAY. 1 49 Island at a wretched place at the extremity of a ridge of black rocks called Mishami, the mounted troops reconnoitred as far as Rahami Cataract, and Colville camped on Ukumtata Island, three miles above, where many of the channels between the islands were dry enough for his troops to pass.

On the 29th a reconnaissance showed that the enemy were found to be intrenched for a distance of half a mile at Birti parallel to the river, so as to be able to fire on the boats. Their numbers were estimated at from 2000 to 3000. Consequently on its arrival at the foot of the rapids one battalion was ordered to disembark, and to march to the top of the bank, and establish itself there, so as to protect the passage of boats. The next battalion having brought its boats safely up, was to protect the passage of the first, and so on.

Then came the news of the advance of the desert column, the intrenchment at Gubat, the appearance of Gordon's steamers, the advance of reinforcements of the enemy from Berber to Metammeh, and the serious condition of Sir Herbert Stewart; but General Buller, who was to take command at Gubat, sent the message, "If Khartum is sufficiently provisioned we don't mean to do anything until you join us." This made it necessary to push on to Birti, but a spy had reported to Colonel Colville that reinforcements of the enemy had arrived from Berber, and the reconnoitring party had pushed to within a mile of Birti, where they thought there were evidences of a preparation to advance. At daybreak on the 30th a native dressed in white, who on the previous night had appeared within a few yards of the seriba leading a horse, surrendered himself. He had been an Egyptian soldier, one of the Berber garrison who had been compelled to join the Mahdi's troops to go to Birti under the command of Lekalik, and had deserted with a horse belonging to Moussa Wad Abu Hegel, and carried a rifle and ammunition. He declared that there were 5000 Monassir, 4000 Robatab, and 6000 Bishareen and Berberines in the enemy's camp, but only 300 rifles and thirty rounds of ammunition per rifle, and that the spiked gun from Stewart's steamer was there. It was then determined to march upon Birti if a way could be found, and General Brackenbury, with