It seemed to us, as we looked, that there might be 3,000 men behind a high dense zeriba of thorn-bushes.  That, said the officers, was better than nothing.  It is scarcely necessary to describe our tortuous movements towards the Dervish position.  Looking at it now from one point of view, now from another, but always edging nearer, the cavalry slowly approached, and halted in the plain about three miles away—­three great serpents of men—­the light-coloured one, the 21st Lancers; a much longer and a blacker one, the Egyptian squadrons; a mottled one, the Camel Corps and Horse Artillery.  From this distance a clearer view was possible, and we distinguished many horsemen riding about the flanks and front of the broad dark line which crowned the crest of the slope.  A few of these rode carelessly towards the squadrons to look at them.  They were not apparently acquainted with the long range of the Lee-Metford carbine.  Several troops were dismounted, and at 800 yards fire was made on them.  Two were shot and fell to the ground.  Their companions, dismounting, examined them, picked up one, let the other lie, and resumed their ride, without acknowledging the bullets by even an increase of pace.

While this passed, so did the time.  It was now nearly eleven o’clock.  Suddenly the whole black line which seemed to be zeriba began to move.  It was made of men, not bushes.  Behind it other immense masses and lines of men appeared over the crest; and while we watched, amazed by the wonder of the sight, the whole face of the slope became black with swarming savages.  Four miles from end to end, and, as it seemed, in five great divisions, this mighty army advanced—­swiftly.  The whole side of the hill seemed to move.  Between the masses horsemen galloped continually; before them many patrols dotted the plain; above them waved hundreds of banners, and the sun, glinting on many thousand hostile spear-points, spread a sparkling cloud.

It is now known that the Khalifa had succeeded in concentrating at Omdurman an army of more than 60,000 men.  He remembered that all the former victories over the Egyptians had been won by the Dervishes attacking.  He knew that in all the recent defeats they had stood on the defensive.  He therefore determined not to oppose the advance at the Shabluka or on the march thence to Omdurman.  All was to be staked on the issue of a great battle on the plains of Kerreri.  The Mahdi’s prophecy was propitious.  The strength of the Dervish army seemed overwhelming.  When the ‘Turks’ arrived, they should be driven into the river.  Accordingly the Khalifa had only watched the advance of the Expeditionary Force from Wad Hamed with a patrol of cavalry about 200 strong.  On the 30th he was informed that the enemy drew near, and on the 31st he assembled his bodyguard and regular army, with the exception of the men needed for the river batteries, on the Omdurman parade ground.  He harangued the leaders; and remained encamped with