firing ceased it began to be annoying. The ground, although it
appeared flat and level to the eye, nevertheless contained depressions
and swellings which afforded good cover to the sharpshooters, and the
solid line behind the zeriba was an easy target. The artillery now began
to clear out these depressions by their shells, and in this work they
displayed a searching power very remarkable when their flat trajectory
is remembered. As the shells burst accurately above the Dervish
skirmishers and spearmen who were taking refuge in the folds of the
plain, they rose by hundreds and by fifties to fly. Instantly the hungry
and attentive Maxims and the watchful infantry opened on them, sweeping
them all to the ground--some in death, others in terror. Again the
shells followed them to their new concealment. Again they rose, fewer
than before, and ran. Again the Maxims and the rifles spluttered.
Again they fell. And so on until the front of the zeriba was clear
of unwounded men for at least half a mile. A few escaped. Some,
notwithstanding the vices of which they have been accused and the perils
with which they were encompassed, gloriously carried off their injured
comrades.

After the attack had been broken, and while the front of the zeriba
was being cleared of the Dervish riflemen, the 21st Lancers were again
called upon to act. The Sirdar and his generals were all agreed on one
point. They must occupy Omdurman before the Dervish army could get back
there. They could fight as many Dervishes as cared to come in the plain;
among the houses it was different. As the Khalifa had anticipated, the
infidels, exulting in their victory, were eager, though for a different
reason, to seize the city. And this they were now in a position to do.
The Arabs were out in the desert. A great part of their army was even as
far away as Kerreri. The troops could move on interior lines. They were
bound to reach Omdurman first. The order was therefore given to march on
the city at once. But first the Surgham ridge must be reconnoitred,
and the ground between the zeriba and Omdurman cleared of the
Dervishes--with infantry if necessary, but with cavalry if possible,
because that would be quicker.

As the fusillade slackened, the Lancers stood to their horses. Then
General Gatacre, with Captain Brooke and the rest of his Staff, came
galloping along the rear of the line of infantry and guns, and shouted
for Colonel Martin. There was a brief conversation--