started a few
minutes after midnight. The transport was left, under a strong guard,
near the water; with orders to follow, four hours later. The cavalry,
with two Maxims, moved in advance; and the camel corps on the flanks.
The ground was thickly wooded. In many places, a way had to be cut for
the guns.

At three o'clock news was received, from the cavalry, that the enemy's
camp was but three miles distant from the point which the infantry had
reached; and that they and the Maxims had halted two miles ahead, at
the foot of some slightly rising ground; beyond which the scouts had,
on the previous day, discovered the main force of the enemy to be
stationed. The infantry continued to advance, slowly and cautiously,
making as little noise as possible.

It was soon evident, however, that in spite of their caution, the enemy
were aware of their approach, as there was an outburst of the beating
of drums, and the blowing of war horns. This did not last long, but it
was enough to show that the Dervishes were not to be taken by surprise.
When the infantry reached the spot where the cavalry were halted, the
latter's scouts were withdrawn and the infantry pickets thrown out, and
the troops then lay down to await daybreak.

The officers chatted together in low tones. There were but two hours
till dawn, and with the prospect of heavy fighting before them, none
were inclined to sleep. The question was whether the Dervishes would
defend their camp, or attack. The result of the battle of Omdurman
should have taught them that it was impossible to come to close
quarters, in the face of the terrible fire of our rifles. Fadil could
give his experience at Gedareh, which would teach the same lesson. On
the other hand, the storming of the Dervish camp on the Atbara, and the
fight at Rosaires, would both seem to show them that the assault of the
Egyptian force was irresistible.

As Gregory had been present at all four of these battles, he was asked
to give his opinion.

"I think that they will attack," he said. "The Dervish leaders rely
upon the enthusiasm of their followers; and, in almost all the battles
we have fought here, they have rushed forward to the assault. It was so
in all the fights down by the Red Sea. It was so in the attacks on Lord
Wolseley's desert column. It succeeded against Hicks's and Baker's
forces; and even now they do not seem to have recognized that the
Egyptians, whom they once despised, have quite got over their