be obtained, and Colonel Broadwood decided to advance closer.  He accordingly led his whole command south-westward towards a round-topped hill which rose about four miles from the end of the Kerreri ridge and was one of the more distant hill features bounding the plain on the western side.  The Egyptian cavalry moved slowly across the desert to this new point of observation.  On their way they traversed the end of the Khor Shambat, a long depression which is the natural drainage channel of the plains of Kerreri and Omdurman, and joins the Nile about four miles from the city.  The heavy rain of the previous night had made the low ground swampy, and pools of water stood in the soft, wet sand.  The passage, however, presented no great difficulty, and at half-past eleven the Egyptian squadrons began to climb the lower slopes of the round-topped hill.  Here the whole scene burst suddenly upon them.  Scarcely three miles away the Dervish army was advancing with the regularity of parade.  The south wind carried the martial sound of horns and drums and—­far more menacing—­the deep murmur of a multitude to the astonished officers.  Like the 21st Lancers—­three miles away to their left, at the end of the long sandy ridge which runs westward from Surgham—­the soldiers remained for a space spell-bound.  But all eyes were soon drawn from the thrilling spectacle of the Dervish advance by the sound of guns on the river.

At about eleven o’clock the gunboats had ascended the Nile, and now engaged the enemy’s batteries on both banks.  Throughout the day the loud reports of their guns could be heard, and, looking from our position on the ridge, we could see the white vessels steaming slowly forward against the current, under clouds of black smoke from their furnaces and amid other clouds of white smoke from the artillery.  The forts, which mounted nearly fifty guns, replied vigorously; but the British aim was accurate and their fire crushing.  The embrasures were smashed to bits and many of the Dervish guns dismounted.  The rifle trenches which flanked the forts were swept by the Maxim guns.  The heavier projectiles, striking the mud walls of the works and houses, dashed the red dust high into the air and scattered destruction around.  Despite the tenacity and courage of the Dervish gunners, they were driven from their defences and took refuge among the streets of the city.  The great wall of Omdurman was breached in many places, and a large number of unfortunate non-combatants were killed and wounded.

Meanwhile the Arab irregulars, under Major Wortley, had been sharply engaged.  That officer’s orders were to co-operate with the flotilla by taking in rear the forts and fortified villages on the east bank of the river.  As soon as the gunboats had silenced the lower forts, Major Wortley ordered the irregulars to advance on them and on the houses.  He placed the Jaalin, who were practically the only trustworthy men in his force, in reserve, and formed the tribes according to their capabilities and prejudices.  On the order to attack being given, the whole force, some 3,000 strong, advanced on the buildings, from which the Dervishes at once opened fire.  Arrived within 500 yards they halted, and began to discharge their rifles in the air; they also indulged in frantic dances expressive of their fury and valour, but declined to advance any further.