But the significance of the picture grew when the mind, outstripping the eye, passed beyond the long, low heights of the gorge and cataract of Shabluka and contemplated the ruins of Khartoum and the city of Omdurman.  There were known to be at least 50,000 fighting men collected in their last stronghold.  We might imagine the scene of excitement, rumour, and resolve in the threatened capital.  The Khalifa declares that he will destroy the impudent invaders.  The Mahdi has appeared to him in a dream.  Countless angelic warriors will charge with those of Islam.  The ‘enemies of God’ will perish and their bones will whiten the broad plain.  Loud is the boasting, and many are the oaths which are taken, as to what treatment the infidel dogs shall have when they are come to the city walls.  The streets swarm with men and resound with their voices.  Everywhere is preparation and defiance.  And yet over all hangs the dark shadow of fear.  Nearer and nearer comes this great serpent of an army, moving so slowly and with such terrible deliberation, but always moving.  A week ago it was sixty miles away, now it is but fifty.  Next week only twenty miles will intervene, and then the creep of the serpent will cease, and, without argument or parley, one way or the other the end will come.

The road to the next camp was a long one; for though Royan island, opposite to which the site had been selected, was only seven miles in the direct line, it was necessary to march eight miles into the desert to avoid the Shabluka heights, and then to turn back to the Nile.  The infantry were therefore provided with camel transport to carry sufficient water in small iron tanks for one night; and they were thus able to bivouac half-way, and to complete the journey on the next morning, thus making a two days’ march.  The mounted troops, who remained at Wad Hamed till all had gone south, were ordered to move on the 27th of August, and by a double march catch up the rest of the army.

Wad Hamed then ceased for the time being to exist except in name.  All the stores and transport were moved by land or water to the south of Shabluka, and an advanced base was formed upon Royan island.  Communications with the Atbara encampment and with Cairo were dropped, and the army carried with them in their boats sufficient supplies to last until after the capture of Omdurman, when the British division would be immediately sent back.  It was calculated that the scope of this operation would not be greater than three weeks, and on the 27th the army were equipped with twenty-one days’ supplies, of which two were carried by the troops, five by the regimental barges, and fourteen in the army transport sailing-vessels.  All surplus stores were deposited at Royan island, where a field hospital was also formed.

The Expeditionary Force which was thus concentrated, equipped, and supplied for the culminating moment of the River War, was organised as follows: 

 Commander-in-Chief:  The sirdar