We
know very little of the force at Gedareh. We took some prisoners
yesterday, but their accounts are very conflicting. Still, there is
every reason to believe that the garrison is not strong. Certainly, as
General Rundle says, we should be in a much better position there than
if we were attacked in the open. No doubt the Arabs who got off in the
skirmish, yesterday, carried the news there; and probably some of them
would go direct to Fadil, and if he came down upon us here, with his
eight thousand men, our position would be a desperate one. It cost us
four days to cross the river at El Fasher, and would take us as much to
build boats and recross here; and before that time, he might be upon
us.

"It is evident, gentlemen, that we have only the choice of these
alternatives--either to march, at once, against Gedareh; or to retreat
immediately, crossing the river here, or at El Fasher. As to remaining
here, of course, it is out of the question."

The consultation was a short one. All the officers were in favour of
pushing forward, pointing out that, as only the 16th Egyptians could be
considered as fairly disciplined, the troops would lose heart if they
retired; and could not be relied upon to keep steady, if attacked by a
largely superior force; while, at present, they would probably fight
bravely. The Arab battalion had been raised by the Italians, and were
at present full of confidence, as they had defeated the Mahdists who
had been besieging Kassala. The Arab irregulars had, of course, the
fighting instincts of their race, and would assault an enemy bravely;
but in a defensive battle, against greatly superior numbers, could
scarcely be expected to stand well. As for the eighty camel men, they
were all Soudanese soldiers, discharged from the army for old age and
physical unfitness. They could be relied upon to fight but, small in
number as they were, could but have little effect on the issue of a
battle. All therefore agreed that, having come thus far, the safest, as
well as the most honourable course, would be to endeavour to fight the
enemy in a strong position.

Although it may be said that success justified it, no wilder enterprise
was ever undertaken than that of sending thirteen hundred only partly
disciplined men into the heart of the enemy's country. Omdurman and
Atbara, to say nothing of previous campaigns, had shown how desperately
the Dervishes fought; and the order, for the garrison of Kassala to
undert