e riflemen sheltered in deep
pits by the water's edge or concealed amid the foliage of the tops of
the palm-trees. These aerial skirmishers commanded the decks of the
vessels, and the shields of the guns were thus rendered of little
protection. All the water round the gunboats was torn into foam by the
projectiles. The bullets pattered against their sides, and, except where
they were protected by steel plates, penetrated. One shell struck the
Abu Klea on the water-line, and entered the magazine. Luckily it did not
explode, the Dervishes having forgotten to set the fuse. Three shells
struck the Metemma. On board the Tamai, which was leading, Commander
Colville was severely wounded in the wrist; Armourer-Sergeant Richardson
was killed at his Maxim gun, and on each boat some casualties occurred.
So hot was the fire that it was thought doubtful whether to proceed with
the bombardment, and the Tamai swung round, and hurried down the river
with the current and at full steam to report to the Sirdar. The
other gunboats remained in action, and continued to shell the Dervish
defences. The Tamai soon returned to the fight, and, steaming again up
the river, was immediately hotly re-engaged.

The sight which the army witnessed was thrilling. Beyond the flood
waters of the river, backed against a sky of staring blue and in the
blazing sunlight, the whole of the enemy's position was plainly visible.
The long row of shelter trenches was outlined by the white smoke of
musketry and dotted with the bright-coloured flags waving defiantly in
the wind and with the still brighter flashes of the guns. Behind the
entrenchments and among the mud houses and enclosures strong bodies of
the jibba-clad Arabs were arrayed. Still further back in the plain a
large force of cavalry--conspicuous by the gleams of light reflected
from their broad-bladed spears--wheeled and manoeuvred. By the Nile
all the tops of the palm-trees were crowded with daring riflemen, whose
positions were indicated by the smoke-puffs of their rifles, or when
some tiny black figure fell, like a shot rook, to the ground. In
the foreground the gunboats, panting and puffing up the river, were
surrounded on all sides by spouts and spurts of water, thrown up by the
shells and bullets. Again the flotilla drew near the narrow channel;
again the watching army held their breath; and again they saw the
leading boat, the Metemma, turn and run down stream towards safety,
pursued by the wild c