once upon Omdurman, following the route of the
Desert Column in 1885 from Korti to Metemma. He therefore ordered Osman
Azrak--in spite of his severe wound--to hold Abu Klea Wells with the
survivors of his flag. Bishara, who had rallied and reorganised the
remains of the Dongola army, was instructed to occupy Metemma, the
headquarters of the Jaalin. Messengers were despatched to the most
distant garrisons to arrange for a general concentration upon Omdurman.
The Emir Ibrahim Khalil was recalled from the Ghezira, or the land
between the Blue and White Niles, and with his force of about 4,000
Jehadia and Baggara soon reached the city. Another chief, Ahmed Fedil,
who was actually on his way to Gedaref, was ordered to return to the
capital. Thither also Osman Digna repaired from Adarama. But it appears
that the Khalifa only required the advice of that wily councillor, for
he did not reduce the number of Dervishes in the small forts along the
line of the Atbara--Ed Darner, Adarama, Asubri, El Fasher--and after a
short visit and a long consultation Osman Digna returned to his post at
Adarama. Last of all, but not least in importance, Mahmud, who commanded
the 'Army of the West,' was ordered to leave very reduced garrisons in
Kordofan and Darfur, and march with his whole remaining force, which
may have numbered 10,000 fighting men, to the Nile, and so to Omdurman.
Mahmud, who was as daring and ambitious as he was conceited and
incapable, received the summons with delight, and began forthwith to
collect his troops.

The Khalifa saw very clearly that he could not trust the riverain
tribes. The Jaalin and Barabra were discontented. He knew that they
were weary of his rule and of war. In proportion as the Egyptian
army advanced, so their loyalty and the taxes they paid decreased.
He therefore abandoned all idea of making a stand at Berber. The Emir
Yunes--who, since he had been transferred from Dongola in 1895, had
ruled the district--was directed to collect all the camels, boats,
grain, and other things that might assist an invading army and send them
to Metemma. The duty was most thoroughly performed. The inhabitants
were soon relieved of all their property and of most of their means
of livelihood, and their naturally bitter resentment at this merciless
treatment explains to some extent the astonishing events which followed
the capture of Abu Hamed. This last place Abdullah never regarded as
more than an outpost. Its garrison wa