d at
half-past four the final advance on Dongola had begun.

It was still night. The full moon, shining with tropical brilliancy in a
cloudless sky, vaguely revealed the rolling plains of sand and the huge
moving mass of the army. As long as it was dark the battalions were
closely formed in quarter columns. But presently the warmer, yellower
light of dawn began to grow across the river and through the palms, and
gradually, as the sun rose and it became daylight, the dense formation
of the army was extended to an array more than two miles long. On the
left, nearest the river, marched Lewis's brigade--three battalions in
line and the fourth in column as a reserve. Next in order Maxwell's
three battalions prolonged the line. The artillery were in the centre,
supported by the North Staffordshire Regiment. The gunners of the Maxim
battery had donned their tunics, so that the lines and columns of yellow
and brown were relieved by a vivid flash of British red. MacDonald's
brigade was on the right. David's brigade followed in rear of the centre
as a reserve. The cavalry, the Camel Corps, and the Horse Artillery
watched the right flank; and on the left the gunboats steamed along the
river.

For two hours the army were the only living things visible on the smooth
sand, but at seven o'clock a large body of Dervish horse appeared on
the right flank. The further advance of half a mile discovered the Arab
forces. Their numbers were less than those of the Egyptians, but their
white uniforms, conspicuous on the sand, and the rows of flags of many
colours lent an imposing appearance to their array. Their determined
aspect, no less than the reputation of Bishara, encouraged the belief
that they were about to charge.

The disparity of the forces was, however, too great; and as the Egyptian
army steadily advanced, the Dervishes slowly retired. Their retreat was
cleverly covered by the Baggara horse, who, by continually threatening
the desert flank, delayed the progress of the troops. Bishara did
not attempt to re-enter the town, on which the gunboats were now
concentrating their fire, but continued to retire in excellent order
towards the south and Debba.

The Egyptian infantry halted in Dongola, which when they arrived they
found already in the hands of detachments from the flotilla. The red
flag with the Crescent and star waved once again from the roof of the
Mudiria. The garrison of 400 black Jehadia had capitulated, and were
alrea