keeping its formation as a square, marched straight at the enemy's
position. The Arabs ceased firing as the British approached, and when
the column was close at hand they leapt to their feet and charged
furiously down.

The change of the direction of the march had altered the position of the
column, the flank of the square was now its front, and the brunt of the
attack fell on the 42nd, 65th, and the Naval Brigade. Groups of twenty
and thirty Arabs rushed fiercely down upon them, but they were swept
away by the fire of the musketry and the machine guns; but in some
places the Arabs came to close quarters, but were unable to break
through the line of bayonets.

The column had now reached the position, and with a cheer rushed over
the bank of sand. From every bush around them the Arabs leapt up and
flung themselves upon the troops. Admiral Hewett himself led the
sailors and joined in the hand-to-hand fight. A party of fanatics
nearly succeeded in breaking in between the sailors and the 65th, but
Captain Wilson, of the _Hecla_, threw himself into the gap, and,
fighting desperately, drove back the assailants.

There was a short halt when the post was captured, to reform the column
before moving forward to the attack of the main position of the enemy,
of which we were now well in rear; and after a short artillery duel the
column again advanced. The whole ground was covered with trenches and
innumerable little rifle-pits, all hidden by the close growing bushes,
and every foot was contested, the Arabs leaping from their defences and
dashing recklessly on the British bayonets. Great numbers of them were
slaughtered; and they fought with a desperate courage which extorted the
admiration of our soldiers.

At last the column, which was now extended into line, passed across the
whole of the position occupied by the enemy and emerged in front; the
main body of the enemy withdrawing sullenly. Of the Naval Brigade two
men were killed, and Lieutenant Royds and six sailors wounded.

No more fighting took place; a portion of the column advanced to Tokar,
which the enemy evacuated at their approach, and brought off such of the
townspeople as wished to leave. The force then marched down to
Trinkatat, and, re-embarking, were conveyed in the transports back to
Suakim, and marched out to attack Osman Digma. The Naval Brigade took
part in the advance.

BATTLE OF TAMANIEB--1884.

When the column arrived within half a mile of t