INTRODUCTORY—REVIEW OF FIELD. 3

bish, Jaalin, Baggara, and many other clans, lack no physical qualifications for a military career. Their desperate courage in support of a cause they have at heart is an inspiration of self-immolation. But they are as uncertain and difficult to regulate by ordinary methods of discipline as the American Red Indian, and so are only fitted for irregular service. In March 1885 General Sir Francis Grenfell succeeded to the Sirdarship. With tact and energy he carried still further forward the excellent work of his predecessor.

Four additional Soudanese battalions were created during his term, and the army was strengthened and better equipped for its duties in many other respects.

Sir Francis had the satisfaction of leading his untried soldiers against the dervishes, and winning brilliant

victories and, in at least one instance, over superior

numbers. He it was, who, at Toski in August 1889, routed an invading army of dervishes, whereat was killed their famous leader Wad en Nejumi. That battle put an end to the dream of the Mahdists to over- run and conquer Egypt and the world. The Khalifa thereafter found his safest policy, unless attacked, was to let the regular Egyptian forces severely alone.

It was shown that, when well handled, the fellaheen and the blacks could defeat the dervishes. Lord Kitchener of Khartoum became Sirdar in the spring of 1892. His career in the land of the Nile may be briefly summarised: first as a Lieutenant, then suc- cessively as Captain, Major, Colonel and General, that

Royal Engineer Officer from 1882 has been actively employed either in Egypt proper or the Soudan.