80 GORDON AND THE MAHDI.

There were many cases of sunstroke, and altogether more than a quarter of the force fell out, the rear of the column resembling a routed army. Much of this falling out was ascribed to the men having dined and drunk copious draughts of canteen beer just before starting, but a night's rest so far brought them round, that with the exceptionof some halfdozen they were able to resumeduty the next morning. Abody of friendly natives with Sheikh Morghani, accompanied the troops. General Graham on the morning of the 26th,sent onGeneralStewart with the entirecavalry force, comprising the 10th and 19th Hussars, the Mounted Infantry, and the native auxiliaries to determine the whereaboutsandstrength of the enemy's position,with orders to fall back without fighting as soon as this was ascertained. For the first five miles the advancewas overasandv plainsparsely dottedwith mimosa, but on reaching* the foot-hills, the ground was found strewn withsharp fragments of splintered stone that lamed several of the horses. Here aheliographic station was established on a conical isolatedhill,and the advance was continued, small parties of Arabs, mostly on foot, but some half-dozen on fleetfooted dromedaries beingnow observed on the front andflanks. These retired as the troops advanced. Half-a-dozen nativeauxiliaries weresent to the front withinstructions to tell the Arabs that theEnglish troops had no quarrelwith them, and would not injure anyone unless fired upon, whilst if Osman Digna would come in and surrender, his life would be spared. They were, however, distanced by the enemy's scouts, andhadno opportunity of even shouting their messageofpeace.

After another five miles had been traversed the cavalry foundthemselves well amongthe hills, which rose up on every side, the loftier peaks beingbetween3000 and 4000 feet high. Here a second signalstation wasplaced on a boldly-defined hill, from the top of which could be seen the enemy's position at the foot of a long range of white hills, streaked with quartz, a little over two miles distant. Behind were the wells and running waters of Tamanieb Khor. Heaps of stones, like Highland cairns, probably monuments andgravesto departedsheikhs,marked theridges for miles, and stood clearlv out against the sky. Major Chermside and two natives went within half a mile to try and talk v.-ith the Arabs, but his overtures were received with a volley from their Remingtons,whichin an instant put to flight all hope of their submission. It was now about half-past one o'clock, and in a few SUAKIM FROM THE ENTRANCE TO THE HARBOUR.