described, the sudden seizure of Abu Hamed, the defection of the riverain tribes, and the appearance of the gunboats above the Fourth Cataract persuaded Abdullah that the climax of the war approached, and that he was about to be attacked in his capital.  He accordingly devoted himself to his preparations for defence, and forbade his lieutenant to advance north of Metemma or attempt any offensive operations.  In consequence Berber fell, and its fall convinced the Khalifa that his belief was well founded.  He worked with redoubled energy.  An elaborate system of forts armed with artillery was constructed outside the great wall of Omdurman along the river-bank.  The concentration of Arab and black soldiery from Gedaref, Kordofan, and Darfur continued.  Large quantities of grain, of camels and other supplies, were requisitioned from the people of the Ghezira (the country lying between the Blue and White Niles) and stored or stabled in the city.  The discontent to which this arbitrary taxation gave rise was cured by a more arbitrary remedy.  As many of the doubtful and embittered tribesmen as could be caught were collected in Omdurman, where they were compelled to drill regularly, and found it prudent to protest their loyalty.  The strength and tenacity of the ruler were surprisingly displayed.  The Khalifa Sherif, who had been suspected of sympathising with the Jaalin, was made a prisoner at large.  The direst penalties attended the appearance of sedition.  A close cordon around the city, and especially towards the north, prevented much information from reaching the Egyptian troops; and though small revolts broke out in Kordofan in consequence of the withdrawal of Mahmud’s army, the Dervish Empire as a whole remained submissive, and the Khalifa was able to muster all its remaining force to meet the expected onslaught of his enemies.

During the first week in October the Sirdar decided to send the gunboats—­which now plied, though with some difficulty, up and down the Fifth Cataract—­to reconnoitre Metemma and discover the actual strength and position of Mahmud’s army.  On the 14th the Zafir, Fateh, and Naser steamed south from Berber, under Commander Keppel, each carrying, besides its ordinary native crew, fifty men of the IXth Soudanese and two British sergeants of Marine Artillery.  Shortly after daybreak on the 16th the flotilla approached the enemy’s position.  So silently had they moved that a small Dervish outpost a few miles to the north of Shendi was surprised still sleeping, and the negligent guards, aroused by a splutter of firing from the Maxim guns, awoke to find three terrible machines close upon them.  The gunboats pursued their way, and, disdaining a few shots which were fired from the ruins of Shendi, arrived, at about seven o’clock, within range of Metemma.  The town itself stood more than a thousand yards from the Nile, but six substantial mud forts, armed with artillery, lined and defended the riverside.  Creeping leisurely