143 to the soldiers, two groups about a mile apart, and they fired upon them by surprise. Our soldiers quickly retreated on their horses and came to us in fear, thinking they had been surrounded. Praise be to God, none of them were injured, and we learned that this was one of the greatest stratagems. The reason and sure insight behind this was that this mentioned Sheikh and his Arabs were followers of Muhammad Ahmad al-Shatti, and he only came because he knew that the accursed Mahdi had sent a detachment from Omdurman to join those behind us, at their request, after they had informed him that the Egyptian government was very treacherous and therefore they could not resist. So he drowned them by sending a new detachment from there to continue to harass us. This Sheikh was aware of this. And based on the information from Muhammad Ahmad al-Shatti, he prepared his Arabs to join them. When they sensed our army passing, they thought these were the reinforcements from Omdurman, so he came quickly on his horse to them. To his misfortune, our scouts saw him on their horses near them. To save his life, he devised a ruse, claiming he was coming specifically to pledge allegiance to the government with his Arabs. And due to the sharp minds of our scouts, they believed him. He showed them this trick and invited them to return with him and bring their Arabs. Thus, his poorly conceived plan allowed them to escape destruction. They came to us, bringing good news of what had happened. Did they not know that if his true intention was to obey the government, nothing would prevent him from returning and his Arabs understanding him, knowing that he is their Sheikh and not disobedient to his command? His presence with half his obedience and their understanding that his Arabs were nearby indicated that the majority were obedient and he only came knowing their consent. So how did he surprise them by claiming he was returning to join them? What prevented them from leaving him behind or from contacting the esteemed Makdar? And after accepting his allegiance, he would be allowed to send whoever was necessary to bring his Arabs or secure them in their homes. And until now, the fact that this stratagem succeeded with scouts whose minds were presented with this scenario is only by the will of God for the long life of this accursed one. After the army continued marching for half an hour, we ascended a high piece of land next to the Khor on the west bank (the place intended for encampment). We saw many Arabs, horsemen, on the east bank inside our original encampment. The harassment continued with gunfire from all directions in the Khor. Upon examining them with binoculars, we found them