STORIES OF THE BATTLE—OMDURMAN. 217 mounted to the top. The Sirdar and staff fell back, and the guns and Maxims went forward a little. Maxwell’s men then dealt with the enemy, and the Sirdar, still led by Slatin Pasha, whom the dervishes called “ Saladin,” turned back to try and make his Kuaira’s House.

way through the breaches in the north wall. Troops were sent in to clear the compound of dervishes, most of whom surrendered at once. But exit upon the south side was barred by interior walls and gates.

Then the Sirdar essayed going along by the river's margin between the wall, the Nile, and the forts, to turn the south-east angle. A sharp and accurate fire