--the light-coloured one, the 21st Lancers; a much longer
and a blacker one, the Egyptian squadrons; a mottled one, the Camel
Corps and Horse Artillery. From this distance a clearer view was
possible, and we distinguished many horsemen riding about the flanks and
front of the broad dark line which crowned the crest of the slope. A
few of these rode carelessly towards the squadrons to look at them. They
were not apparently acquainted with the long range of the Lee-Metford
carbine. Several troops were dismounted, and at 800 yards fire was
made on them. Two were shot and fell to the ground. Their companions,
dismounting, examined them, picked up one, let the other lie, and
resumed their ride, without acknowledging the bullets by even an
increase of pace.

While this passed, so did the time. It was now nearly eleven o'clock.
Suddenly the whole black line which seemed to be zeriba began to move.
It was made of men, not bushes. Behind it other immense masses and lines
of men appeared over the crest; and while we watched, amazed by the
wonder of the sight, the whole face of the slope became black with
swarming savages. Four miles from end to end, and, as it seemed, in five
great divisions, this mighty army advanced--swiftly. The whole side
of the hill seemed to move. Between the masses horsemen galloped
continually; before them many patrols dotted the plain; above them waved
hundreds of banners, and the sun, glinting on many thousand hostile
spear-points, spread a sparkling cloud.

It is now known that the Khalifa had succeeded in concentrating at
Omdurman an army of more than 60,000 men. He remembered that all the
former victories over the Egyptians had been won by the Dervishes
attacking. He knew that in all the recent defeats they had stood on
the defensive. He therefore determined not to oppose the advance at the
Shabluka or on the march thence to Omdurman. All was to be staked on the
issue of a great battle on the plains of Kerreri. The Mahdi's prophecy
was propitious. The strength of the Dervish army seemed overwhelming.
When the 'Turks' arrived, they should be driven into the river.
Accordingly the Khalifa had only watched the advance of the
Expeditionary Force from Wad Hamed with a patrol of cavalry about 200
strong. On the 30th he was informed that the enemy drew near, and on the
31st he assembled his bodyguard and regular army, with the exception of
the men needed for the river batteries, on the Omdurman parade grou