ct the defence of the island. The
force on the island was under the sole command of the Emir Saadalla, of
Gedaref repute; but, besides his own followers, most of the men of the
four other Emirs were concentrated there.

The prospect was uninviting. Colonel Lewis discovered that he had
absurdly under-rated the strength and discipline of the Dervish force.
It had been continually reported that the defeats at Gedaref had
demoralised them, and that their numbers did not exceed 2,000 men.
Moreover, he had marched to the attack in the belief that they were
equally divided on both sides of the river. Retreat was, however,
impossible. Strong as was the position of the enemy, formidable as was
their strength, the direct assault was actually safer than a retirement
through the nineteen miles of gloomy forest which lay between the
adventurous column and Rosaires. The British officer immediately
determined to engage. At nine o'clock the two Maxims, which represented
the artillery of the little force, came into action in good positions,
while the Xth Soudanese and most of the irregulars lined the east bank.
Musketry and Maxim fire was now opened at long range. The Dervishes
replied, and as the smoke of their rifles gradually revealed their
position and their numbers, it soon became evident that no long-range
fire could dislodge them; and Colonel Lewis resolved, in spite of the
great disparity of force and disadvantage of ground, to attack them with
the bayonet. Some time was spent in finding fords across the interposing
arm of the river, and it was not until past ten o'clock that Bakr's
men crossed on to the island, and, supported by a company of the Xth
Soudanese, advanced towards the enemy's right and took up a position at
about 800 yards from their line, to cover the rest of the passage.

Colonel Lewis now determined to turn the enemy's left from the north,
attack them in flank, and roll them into the deep part of the river.
With the Xth Soudanese, under Colonel Nason and Major Fergusson, he
marched northwards along the river's edge, sheltering as far as possible
under the curve of the bank from the fire, which now began to cause
casualties. Having reached the position from which it was determined
to deliver the attack, the battalion deployed into line, and, changing
front half left, advanced obliquely by alternate companies across the
bare shingle towards the sandhills. As they advanced, a galling fire was
opened upon the left