184 The British Campaign in the Soudan.

ward movement. As the British advanced, men sprang up sometimes within two hundred yards of them, armed with spears and brandishing a huge shield. These would charge down upon the British ranks without hesitation, at breakneck speed, until the latter’s bullets laid them low. The British stormed up the works where the rebels were in force. The gallant blacks, with no thought of flight or surrender, held out their spears and shields against bullets and bayonets until the trenches all around were like one grave.

‘““The next objective point was the second intervening ridge, eight hundred yards off. The red granite boulders and rocks were rugged and sharp and hot, and the march was a most trying one. With a cheer the men took the first ridge, firing, as they went along, occasional shots at the enemy’s main body, whom we _-could see gathered on our right on the second ridge. The Arab’s fire in reply to ours was feeble and wild, and they soon began trotting off towards the mountains as we advanced. Gen. Graham, with a portion of his staff, directed the advance, and, with a ringing cheer, we carried the second ridge, the defence of which was insignificant. Gaining the top, we saw in the valley Tamai, one hundred ‘and eighty feet below, the tents and huts composing the camp of Osman Digma. There were very few Arabs about, and of these the troops soon made short work. The Arabs retired before the English slowly and sullenly. ‘They were defeated, but not put to rout. They walked away as if sauntering through a bazaar, with arms folded or swinging at their sides. They were often shot down, but this did not hasten their companjons’ speed. It was impossible to take prisoners. The wounded Arabs would lie motionless, without uttering a single cry or moan, and watch their chance to stab the advancing British with knife or spear. The victors walked among the wounded as among so many vipers. A wounded Arab killed a British marine during the night. Another attempted to stab Colonel Herbert Stewart while his aide-de-camp was giving the wounded man water.

‘“The rebels entered the second square upon their hands and knees, beneath the muzzles of the Gatling guns. They then commenced slashing with their weapons, doing terrible execution. ‘The British were no match for the rebels at close quarters.”

After four hours’ fighting the Bedouins sullenly retired from the field and the battle of Tamai was won.

The British loss was one hundred killed and one hundred and fifty wounded. The Arab loss was estimated at over two thousand.

After the battle, Osman’s camp was burnt, and the British returned to Suakim the next day. They were victorious, but it had been a very narrow escape; for, if the First Brigade had been broken like the Second, none