the other emirs had been seen; and the 9th
Soudanese stated that, as they advanced, they had come upon a number of
chiefs lying together, a few hundred yards in advance of our first
position. One of the Arab sheiks of the irregulars was sent to examine
the spot, and reported that the Khalifa himself, and almost all his
great emirs, lay there dead.

With the Khalifa were Ali Wad, Helu, Fadil, two of his brothers, the
Mahdi's son, and many other leaders. Behind them lay their dead horses,
and one of the men still alive said that the Khalifa, having failed in
his attempt to advance over the crest, had endeavoured to turn our
position; but, seeing his followers crushed by our fire and retiring,
and after making an ineffectual attempt to rally them, he recognized
that the day was lost; and, calling on his emirs to dismount, seated
himself on his sheepskin, as is the custom of Arab chiefs who disdain
to surrender. The emirs seated themselves round him, and all met their
death unflinchingly, the greater part being mowed down by the volleys
fired by our troops, as they advanced.

Gregory went up to Colonel Wingate.

"I beg your pardon, sir, but I find that Khatim, and probably his son,
who were so kind to my father at El Obeid, have retired with a fighting
force. Have I your permission to ride forward, and call upon them to
surrender?"

"Certainly, Mr. Hilliard, there has been bloodshed enough."

Being well mounted, Gregory overtook the cavalry and camel corps,
before they had gone two miles; as they were delayed by disarming the
Dervishes, who were coming in in large numbers. Half a mile away, a
small body of men were to be seen keeping together, firing
occasionally. Their leader's flag was flying, and Gregory learned, from
a native, that it was Khatim's. The cavalry were on the point of
gathering for a charge, as he rode up to the officer in command.

"I have Colonel Wingate's orders, sir, to ride forward and try to
persuade the emir to surrender. He does not wish any further loss of
life."

"Very well, sir. I am sure we have killed enough of the poor beggars. I
hope he will give in."

As Gregory neared the party, which was some five hundred strong,
several shots were fired at him. He waved a white handkerchief, and the
firing ceased. Two emirs rode forward to meet him.

"I have come, sir, from the English General, to ask you to surrender.
Your cause is lost. The Khalifa is dead, and most of his principal
emirs.