ing the hill itself. But they were too
late. Colonel Parsons and his force reached the saddleback safely, and
with a few minutes to spare climbed up and advanced along it in column
in the direction of Gedaref--the Arab battalion leading, the 16th
Egyptians next, and last of all the irregulars.

The Dervishes, seeing that the troops had already reached the hill and
were moving along it towards the town, swung to their left and advanced
to the attack. Thereupon at half-past eight the column wheeled into line
to meet them, and standing in the long grass, which even on the summit
of the hill was nearly breast-high, opened a heavy and destructive fire.
The enemy, although suffering severe loss, continued to struggle bravely
onward, replying vigorously to the musketry of the soldiers. At nine
o'clock, while the frontal attack was still undecided, Colonel Parsons
became aware that a strong force of Dervishes had moved round the left
rear and were about to attack the hospital and transport. He at once
sent to warn Captain Fleming, R.A.M.C., who combined the duties of
medical officer and commander of the baggage column, of the impending
assault, and directed him to close up the camels and meet it. The Arab
Sheikhs, who in the absence of officers were acting as orderlies, had
scarcely brought the news to Fleming, when the Dervish attack developed.
The enemy, some 300 strong, rushed with great determination upon the
baggage, and the escort of 120 Arab irregulars at once broke and fled.
The situation became desperate; but Ruthven with thirty-four Supply
Department camel-men hastened to meet the exultant enemy and protect the
baggage column, and the transport was stubbornly defended. In spite of
all their efforts the rear of the baggage column was broken and cut up.
The survivors escaped along the saddleback. The British officers, with
their small following, fell back towards their main body, hotly pressed
by the enemy.

At this moment Captain Ruthven observed one of his native officers,
lying wounded on the ground, about to fall into the hands of the
Dervishes and perish miserably. He immediately went back and, being a
man of great physical strength, carried the body off in his arms. The
enemy were, however, so close that he was three times compelled to set
his burden down and defend himself with his revolver. Meanwhile the
retirement towards the main body continued and accelerated.

Colonel Parsons and his force were now between