The Battle of Dem Idris, arrived at tlie distance fixed upon, our balls showered upon them without cessation. They held firm for about half an hour, but being without cover, they fell in great numbers ; and although the Arabs cut off the heads of those who tried to run away, they fled, running round our seriba, exposed to the fire of those posted on the barricades. Then we made a sortie and pursued them as far as the chor, when I ordered the retreat to be sounded.

The rebels re-united, and the firing continued till one p.m. ; again beaten, they retired to the chor.

We believed that all fighting was over for the day, but at three p.m. the enemy returned in force. Both sides fought desperately.

It would have been death to us to allow them to take possession of the water. Our grape-shot and mitrailleuse put an end to the massacre. The rebels, fairly beaten, fled in disorder.

On the 14th the enemy returned to the attack. The fight lasted eight hours. Finally, he retired, and we pursued him up to his fortified position.

During the flight the greater part of the rebels took refuge in the woods, and many of them fled in the direction of Niam-Niam, the people whom Suleiman sent to stop them in vain trying to overtake them. These three fortunate fights contributed no little to demoralize Suleiman's troops, while our own had taken courage, and were almost ashamed of their previous cowardice.

But ammuniton was beginning to fail, and I gave orders not to attack the enemy any more, but to await him in our barricades, and not fire until sure to hit. I had sent letters to Kumbek, Makraka, Shambe and Shakka announcing the scarcity of my ammimition.

In order to prevent the enemy from making another attempt to deprive us of water, I had an outwork made which I manned with five hundred