182 WITH KITCHEHEE IN THE SOUDAN CHAPTEK XII THE BATTLE OF ATBARA G EEGOEY had little sleep that night. It was clear to him that there was absolutely no chance of making his escape. Even were his two guards withdrawn it would not improve his position. He had no means of disguise, and even if he had an Arab dress and could stain his face, he could not hope to make his way through the crowds of sleeping men, the pitfalls and trenches, and pass out through the jealously guarded zareba. There was nothing for him but to wait till the end. He could not blame Mahmud. A leader on the eve of a great battle could not, for the sake of a single captive, risk his influence and oppose the wishes of his followers. It was much that he had for his wife’s sake postponed the fulfllment of his oath, and had so long withstood the wishes of his most influential emirs; more could not be expected. At any rate he was better ofl than others who had been in the same position. He had not, so far as he knew, a relation in the world,—no one who would be anywise affected by his death, and at least he would have the satisfaction of knowing that it was a kind action which had brought him to his end. He prayed earnestly, not that his life might be spared, but that his death might be a painless one, and that he might meet it as an English officer should, without showing signs of fear.

The next day he heard orders given and a great stir in camp, and he gathered from those who passed near the tent that the enemy’s cavalry were again approaching, and that the mounted men were to ride out and cut them off from retreating, while the dismounted men were to pour out and , annihilate them. Then for a time all was silence in the camp. j Suddenly an outburst of shouts and cries broke out, and ] almost simultaneously he heard the rattle of Maxim guns,—