Our strength in the area where we are stationed is weakened. Nevertheless, what is agreed upon is that on Thursday, October 25th, 1883, we arrived at 8:30 AM. On the blessed Thursday, October 25th, 1883, at 3:30 AM, Colonel Farquhar arrived. We discussed the observation point. He explained his ideas, stating that it is not correct to generalize this as a military point because the distance to El Obeid is far, and concentrating our forces here would only weaken them. He suggested that if it is necessary, it should be at El Milbes, which is very close and has abundant water, as was said. I informed him that no agreement had been reached yet, and this was only discussed. We are inside the forest, and they want to reconsider their ideas to reject this solution. After the discussion, he went to his tent. At 4:30 AM, a gathering of Arabs was observed about three thousand meters away on the west bank, consisting of about fifteen people. They left one wadi, then another, and then another. Many of our officers thought they might be these people. They came to us willingly, and some said they were coming to get water, as there was no other wadi in this area. It is likely that His Excellency Al-Makdar was alerted. Finally, a white flag was raised to reassure them, and their presence was welcomed. Coincidentally, our soldiers were inside the wadi requesting water. After these Arabs presented themselves, another group appeared. We thought they were the reason for the delay in their arrival, perhaps because they saw the soldiers in the wadi and feared the consequences of coming, lest they face retribution. His Excellency General Hicks Pasha sent one of his staff officers, Youssef Effendi Al-Jazāʾirlī, on horseback with instructions for them. He was raising the white flag on his way to them and instructed them not to fire on them. This was done, and he proceeded. After dismounting at the wadi and approaching them until he was about one hundred and fifty meters away, he raised the white flag to them. Suddenly, they fired two shots at him, one from the right and the other from the left. Thank God, he was unharmed, and they returned safely behind them. He, however, did not fire on them, based on the instructions he received. From this, it can be seen that they