, 'there
are none. But that will make no difference to so famous a warrior.'
Ali-Wad-Helu, however, considered that it would make a great deal of
difference, and declined the command. Osman Sheikh-ed-Din offered to
lead the army, if he might arm the riverain tribes and use them as
auxiliaries to swell his force. This roused the disapproval of Yakub.
Such a policy, he declared, was fatal. The riverain tribes were
traitors--dogs--worthy only of being destroyed; and he enlarged upon
the more refined methods by which his policy might be carried out.
The squabble continued, until at last the Khalifa, despairing of any
agreement, decided merely to reinforce Mahmud, and accordingly ordered
the Emir Yunes to march to Metemma with about 5,000 men. But it was then
discovered that Mahmud hated Yunes, and would have none of him. At this
the Khalifa broke up his camp, and the Dervish army marched back for a
second time, in vexation and disgust, to the city.

It seemed to those who were acquainted with the Dervish movements that
all offensive operations on their part had been definitely abandoned.
Even in the Intelligence Department it was believed that the break-up
of the Kerreri camp was the end of the Khalifa's determination to move
north. There would be a hot and uneventful summer, and with the flood
Nile the expedition would begin its final advance. The news which was
received on the 15th of February came as a great and pleasant surprise.
Mahmud was crossing the Nile and proposed to advance on Berber without
reinforcements of any kind. The Sirdar, highly satisfied at this
astounding piece of good fortune, immediately began to mass his
force nearer the confluence. On the 21st the British at Abu Dis were
instructed to hold themselves in readiness. The Seaforths began their
journey from Cairo, and the various battalions of the Egyptian army
pressed forward towards Berber and Atbara fort. On the 25th, Mahmud
being reported as having crossed to the right bank, the general
concentration was ordered.

CHAPTER XI: RECONNAISSANCE

Although the story of a campaign is made up of many details which
cannot be omitted, since they are essential to the truth as well as the
interest of the account, it is of paramount importance that the reader
should preserve throughout a general idea. For otherwise the marches,
forays, and reconnaissance will seem disconnected and purposeless
affairs, and the battle simply a greater operation under