d friendly Arabs in the village of
Dakhila, at the confluence of the rivers. From this humble beginning the
Atbara fort with its great entrenchment was soon to develop.

The effect of the occupation of Berber upon the tribes around Suakin
was decisive, and the whole country between these towns became at once
tranquil and loyal. Osman Digna's influence was destroyed. The friendly
villages were no longer raided. The Governor of the town became in
reality, as well as in name, the Governor of the Red Sea Littoral.
The route from Suakin to Berber was opened; and a Camel Corps
patrol, several small caravans of traders, and a party of war
correspondents--who might boast that they were the first Europeans to
make the journey for thirteen years--passed safely along it.

It is now necessary to look to the enemy. Had the Khalifa allowed the
Emir Mahmud to march north immediately after the destruction of the
Dervish outpost in Abu Hamed, the course of the operations would have
been very different. Mahmud would certainly have defended Berber with
his whole army. The advance of the Expeditionary Force must have been
delayed until the Desert Railway reached the river, and probably for
another year. But, as the last chapter has described, the sudden seizure
of Abu Hamed, the defection of the riverain tribes, and the appearance
of the gunboats above the Fourth Cataract persuaded Abdullah that the
climax of the war approached, and that he was about to be attacked in
his capital. He accordingly devoted himself to his preparations for
defence, and forbade his lieutenant to advance north of Metemma or
attempt any offensive operations. In consequence Berber fell, and its
fall convinced the Khalifa that his belief was well founded. He worked
with redoubled energy. An elaborate system of forts armed with artillery
was constructed outside the great wall of Omdurman along the river-bank.
The concentration of Arab and black soldiery from Gedaref, Kordofan,
and Darfur continued. Large quantities of grain, of camels and other
supplies, were requisitioned from the people of the Ghezira (the country
lying between the Blue and White Niles) and stored or stabled in the
city. The discontent to which this arbitrary taxation gave rise was
cured by a more arbitrary remedy. As many of the doubtful and embittered
tribesmen as could be caught were collected in Omdurman, where they
were compelled to drill regularly, and found it prudent to protest
their loyal