222 WITH KITCHENER IN THE SOUDAN flank of the positiou. In a few minutes they reached Surgham Hill and joined the Egyptian squadron there.

The sight from the crest of Surgham Hill was grand. The enemy’s front extended over three miles. The lines were deep and compact, and the banners floated above them. They were advancing steadily and in good order, and their battlecries rose and fell in measured cadence. Their numbers were variously estimated at from flfty to seventy thousand— a superb force, consisting of men as brave as any in the world, and animated by religious fanaticism and an intense hatred of those they were marching to assail. In the centre were the Khalifa’s own corps, twenty thousand strong. On their right was the banner of Yacoub, his brother, and beyond, two divisions led by well-known emirs, while on his left was the division led by his son, Osman, known as Sheik Ed Din, the nominal commander-in-chief of the whole force.

The 21st Lancers, out in skirmishing order, were speedily driven back by the Dervishes, and retired into the zareba. When the latter came near enough to see the small British force, a shout of exultation rose from their ranks, for they felt certain now of surrounding and annihilating the infidels, according to the prophecy. On our side the. satisfaction was no less marked. The front line moved forward to the thorny hedge and prepared to open fire above it. The black troops uttered a joyful shout of defiance as they took their places in their trenches.

When the enemy were two thousand eight hundred yards away the three batteries on the left of the zareba opened fire, and two batteries on the right, and a number of Maxims, joined in pouring shell and bullets into the thickest of the Dervish mass round the Khalifa’s banner.

The effect was terrible. For a moment the Dervish lines halted, astonished at the storm to which they were exposed. But it was only for a moment. The wide gaps were filled up, and at a quicker pace than before, the great line swept on, the banner-bearers and Baggara horsemen pushing forward