INTRODUCTORY.—REVIEW OF FIELD. 9

and Shabluka, the Sixth Cataract. By prodigies of labour and enterprise the railroad was speedily con- structed to Abu Hamid, then on to Berber, and thence to Dakhala. The whole situation became greatly simplified the moment the line reached Abu Hamid.

From the first, the question of dealing a death-blow to

Heapguarters, WapyY HALF.

Mahdism with British-led troops had turned upon the solution of the transport problem. The through rail and river connection once established from Cairo via

Wady Halfa to Abu Hamid put an end forever to all

serious difficulty of providing adequate supplies for the troops. From Abu Hamid the Nile is navigable far south for many months during the year. Then again,