250 EGYPT AND THE SOUDAN.

diamond shape standing corner to corner, the farthest corner in the direction of Tamai and the nearest in that of Suakim. At each of these two corners were to be a sand-bag redoubt, ditch, and parapet for two Gardner guns; that nearest Suakim was for the royal marines and half the naval brigade, the centre space of the next division for the camels, the third nearer Tamai for the Berkshire, two Gardner guns, and the other half of the naval brigade.

It cannot be said that there was no idea of the probability of an attack in force being made by the enemy, because there had been a rumour of some such intention ; but there had been many other rumours, and as on the advance no considerable bodies of Arabs had been seen (though it was afterwards reported that the look-out from the ships and the station at Suakim had noted considerable numbers of the enemy in the desert), no immediate expectation of an assault was entertained. It was also said, however, that a spy had actually reported that Osman would hazard another battle, and that on the morning of the 22d it was reported to the interpreter of the intelligence department that an attack by 5000 Arabs was about to take place. Whether this was so or not there was subsequently an impression that warning of the concentration of Osman 's troops on the flank of the advancing force might have been given. As it was, though the force was accompanied by two mounted " friendlies," who acted as scouts, no news was brought of the gathering or lurking foe. The seribas were not quite finished, but the working portion of the men had nearly completed them—those who were resting lay beside their piled arms smoking pipes or drinking coffee by the camp fires. The camels and baggage animals, which had been unladen in the central seriba, had been taken out and formed in the open ground in a column facing Suakim.

Perhaps two-thirds of the force were under arms or resting on their arms, but no attack was anticipated; the men were tired, and all was going easily when a sudden cry, a shriek, a yell was heard in the rear of the mass of camels and baggage animals, and a black swarm of Arabs was seen, their gleaming swords and spears hacking and stabbing, amidst frantic cries which were soon answered by the shouts of our men, who, though taken unaware, showed admirable promptitude and decision. The vast mass of animals, startled by the onslaught, stampeded and went at a mad rush towards Suakim, carrying with them the host of drivers and a few of the regulars, who could not disentangle themselves from the midst of the beasts and were obliged to go with them ; some of the officers and men, however, disengaged themselves and returned. The videttes rode in hastily to report the advance of the enemy, who were, however, already leaping into the clearing before more could be done by the general and his officers than to shout to the men to stand to arms. Amidst the stampeding transport animals, the Arabs were leaping about, slashing the