THE BATTLE OF OMDURMAN 195 The bugles soon sounded the “advance,” and the final order came that the army was to occupy Omdurman forthwith. The weary troops advanced once more, and we all waded through the muddy &for. The water reached to our knees, and was very refreshing after the long tramp over. the hot sand. Alongside one of the battalions rode the Presbyterian chaplain, mounted—oh tell it not in the Kirk, neither publish it amongst the Elders—upon a looted pony! It was, I think, a colt which I had seen earlier in the day standing unhurt amongst a heap of dead Dervishes, and calmly nibbling some scanty blades of desert grass. | As we marched on through the apparently interminable suburbs of the city, the regimental drums and fifes and the Highlanders’ bagpipes struck up some lively tunes. The effect of music at such a time was simply marvellous: it put fresh heart and vigour into all of us. The Sudanese, with broad grins on their shiny black faces, played the various marching tunes of the British regiments, and were loudly cheered by their white comrades. All along the broad street