but to fight.

Macdonald had marched out with the 11th Soudanese on his left, the 2nd
Egyptians in the centre, and the 10th Soudanese on the right--all in
line. Behind, in column, were the 9th Soudanese. The last were at once
brought up into line, to face the advancing enemy.

Fortunately, the Sheik Ed Din's force was still some little distance
away. The batteries took their place in the openings between the
battalions, and the Maxim-Nordenfeldts were soon carrying death into
the advancing foe; while the Martini-Henry, with which the black and
Egyptian troops were armed, mowed them down as by a scythe. The
Soudanese battalions fired, as was their custom, individually, as fast
as they could load; the Egyptian battalion by steady volleys.

Still the enemy pressed on, until they were within two hundred yards of
the line. The emirs and other leaders, Baggara horse and many spearmen,
still held on; until they fell, a few feet only from the steady
infantry. The rear ranks of the Dervishes now began to fall back, and
the desperate charges of their leaders grew feebler; but Ed Din's
division was now within a thousand yards. Macdonald, confident that the
main attack was broken, threw back the 9th Soudanese to face it, and
wheeled a couple of his batteries to support them.

The already retreating Dervishes, encouraged by the arrival of Ed Din's
division, returned to the attack. The 11th Soudanese swung round, to
aid the 9th in their struggle with Ed Din's troops. The charges of the
Dervishes were impetuous in the extreme. Regardless of the storm of
shell and bullets they rushed on, and would have thrust themselves
between the 9th and 11th, had not the 2nd Egyptians, wheeling at the
double, thrown themselves into the gap.

The Dervishes pressed right up to them, and bayonet and spear
frequently crossed; but in a fight of this kind, discipline tells its
tale. The blacks and Egyptians maintained their lines, steadily and
firmly; and against these, individual effort and courage, even of the
highest quality, were in vain.

The ground being now cleared, the gunboats opened with Maxim and cannon
upon the rear of the Dervishes. The camel corps coming up, each man
dismounted and added his fire to the turmoil; and, finally, three of
Wauchope's battalions arrived, and the Lincolns, doubling to the right,
opened a terrible flank fire. The Dervishes broke and fled; not, as
usual, sullenly and reluctantly, but at full speed, stooping lo