immediately ordered four regiments,
each 500 strong, drawn from the force around the Black Flag and under
the Emir Ibrahim Khalil, to reinforce the Hadendoa in the khor. While we
were waiting for orders on the ridge these men were hurrying southwards
along the depression, and concealed by a spur of Surgham Hill. The
Lancer patrol reconnoitred the khor, at the imminent risk of their
lives, while it was only occupied by the original 700 Hadendoa.
Galloping back, they reported that it was held by about 1,000 men.
Before they reached the regiment this number was increased to 2,700.
This, however, we had no means of knowing. The Khalifa, having
despatched his reinforcement, rode on his donkey with a scanty escort
nearly half a mile from the Black Flag towards the khor, in order to
watch the event, and in consequence he was within 500 yards of the
scene.

As the 21st Lancers left the ridge, the fire of the Arab riflemen on
the hill ceased. We advanced at a walk in mass for about 300 yards. The
scattered parties of Dervishes fell back and melted away, and only one
straggling line of men in dark blue waited motionless a quarter of
a mile to the left front. They were scarcely a hundred strong. The
regiment formed into line of squadron columns, and continued at a walk
until within 300 yards of this small body of Dervishes. The firing
behind the ridges had stopped. There was complete silence, intensified
by the recent tumult. Far beyond the thin blue row of Dervishes the
fugitives were visible streaming into Omdurman. And should these few
devoted men impede a regiment? Yet it were wiser to examine their
position from the other flank before slipping a squadron at them. The
heads of the squadrons wheeled slowly to the left, and the Lancers,
breaking into a trot, began to cross the Dervish front in column of
troops. Thereupon and with one accord the blue-clad men dropped on their
knees, and there burst out a loud, crackling fire of musketry. It was
hardly possible to miss such a target at such a range. Horses and men
fell at once. The only course was plain and welcome to all. The Colonel,
nearer than his regiment, already saw what lay behind the skirmishers.
He ordered, 'Right wheel into line' to be sounded. The trumpet jerked
out a shrill note, heard faintly above the trampling of the horses and
the noise of the rifles. On the instant all the sixteen troops swung
round and locked up into a long galloping line, and the 21st Lancers