GUNBOATS AND GAALIN 213 the attack, they suddenly halted and danced a “fantasia” instead! Major Stuart-Wortley did not waste time over these faint-hearted warriors, but brought up his trusty Gaalin, ‘who, supported by the other tribes, gallantly attacked house after house, and routed the enemy, killing a large number, including Isa Zachnieh, a cousin of the Khalifa, and losing themselves over sixty killed . and wounded.

The Gaalin made very ‘little use of their rifles in the desperate fighting which practically cleared the right bank of the Dervishes.

They loaded their guns and fired them into the air, calling upon Allah to direct the course of the bullets! Then throwing their Remingtons on one side, they gripped their broad - bladed spears, and used them so effectively that after the fight the Dervish casualties stood at three hundred and fifty killed, wounded none!. At one moment Major Stuart-Wortley and Lieutenant Wood were in great danger. A troop of Baggara horsemen suddenly charged down upon the spot where they were standing, and the Ababdeh Arabs who were with the two officers, instead