bout to debouch from this, the advanced scouts
reported that there was a body of Dervishes in the open ground in front
of the defile. The cavalry commander rode forward to look at them,
and found himself confronted, not, as he had expected, by a score of
camel-men, but by a strong force of Dervishes, numbering at least 1,500
foot and 250 horse. The cavalry, by trotting, had left the supporting
infantry some distance behind them. The appearance of the enemy was
threatening. The horsemen, who were drawn up scarcely 300 yards away,
were already advancing to the attack, their right flank protected by a
small force of camelry; and behind was the solid array of the spearmen.

Major Burn-Murdoch determined to fall back on his infantry support and
escape from the bad ground. He gave the order, and the squadrons
wheeled about by troops and began to retire. Forthwith the Dervish horse
charged, and, galloping furiously into the defile, attacked the cavalry
in rear. Both sides were crowded in the narrow space. The wildest
confusion followed, and the dust raised by the horses' hoofs hung over
all like a yellow London fog, amid which the bewildered combatants
discharged their pistols and thrust at random. The Egyptian cavalry,
thus highly tried, showed at first no disposition to turn to meet the
attack. The tumult drowned all words of command. A disaster appeared
imminent. But the British officers, who had naturally been at the head
of the column during its advance, were now at the rear and nearest the
enemy. Collecting a score of troopers, they made such resistance with
their swords and revolvers that they actually held the defile and beat
back the Dervish horse, who retired on their infantry, leaving a dozen
dead upon the ground. Two of the Egyptian squadrons continued to retreat
until clear of the defile, a distance of 700 yards; but the third and
rearmost was compelled by the British officers to face about, and,
galloping with this force down the ravine, Major Burn-Murdoch drove the
Arabs pell-mell out of it. The other two squadrons had now returned,
and the whole force dismounted, and, taking up a position among the
sandhills near the mouth of the defile, opened fire with their carbines.
The repulse of their cavalry seemed to have disheartened the Dervishes,
for they made no attempt to attack the dismounted troopers, and
contented themselves with maintaining a desultory fire, which was so
ill-aimed that but little loss was caused