he tanks was at once distributed,
and thus refreshed the infantry struggled on and settled down at midday
around a fine pool of comparatively pure water.

At Gedid, as at Nefisa, a single Dervish, and this time a sullen fellow,
was captured, and from him it was learned that the Khalifa's army
was encamped seven miles to the south-east. It was now clear that his
position was strategically most unfavourable. His route to the north
was barred; his retreat to the south lay through waterless and densely
wooded districts; and as the seizure of the grain supplies which had
resulted from Fedil's foraging excursions rendered his advance or
retirement a matter of difficulty, it seemed probable he would stand.
Wingate, therefore, decided to attack him at dawn. Leaving the transport
under guard by the water with instructions to follow at four o'clock,
the troops moved off at midnight, screened in front at a distance of
half a mile by the cavalry and their flanks protected by the Camel
Corps. The road was in places so thickly wooded that a path had to be
cut by the infantry pioneers and the artillery. At three o'clock, when
about three miles from the enemy's position, the force was deployed into
fighting formation. The irregular riflemen covered the front; behind
them the XIIIth and IXth Soudanese; and behind these, again, the Maxims
and the artillery were disposed. Cautiously and silently the advance was
resumed, and now in the distance the beating of war drums and the long
booming note of the Khalifa's horn broke on the stillness, proclaiming
that the enemy were not unprepared. At a few minutes before four o'clock
another low ridge, also comparatively bare of scrub, was reached and
occupied as a position. The cavalry were now withdrawn from the front,
a few infantry picquets were thrown out, and the rest of the force lay
down in the long grass of the little ridge and waited for daylight.

After about an hour the sky to the eastward began to grow paler with the
promise of the morning and in the indistinct light the picquets could
be seen creeping gradually in; while behind them along the line of the
trees faint white figures, barely distinguishable, began to accumulate.
Sir Reginald Wingate, fearing lest a sudden rush should be made
upon him, now ordered the whole force to stand up and open fire; and
forthwith, in sudden contrast to the silence and obscurity, a loud
crackling fusillade began. It was immediately answered. The enemy'