Thus ended the battle of Omdurman—­the most signal triumph ever gained by the arms of science over barbarians.  Within the space of five hours the strongest and best-armed savage army yet arrayed against a modern European Power had been destroyed and dispersed, with hardly any difficulty, comparatively small risk, and insignificant loss to the victors.

CHAPTER XVI:  THE FALL OF THE CITY

Now, when the Khalifa Abdullah saw that the last army that remained to him was broken, that all his attacks had failed, and that thousands of his bravest warriors were slain, he rode from the field of battle in haste, and, regaining the city, proceeded like a brave and stubborn soldier to make preparations for its defence, and, like a prudent man, to arrange for his own flight should further resistance be impossible.  He ordered his great war-drum to be beaten and the ombya to be blown, and for the last time those dismal notes boomed through the streets of Omdurman.  They were not heeded.  The Arabs had had enough fighting.  They recognised that all was lost.  Besides, to return to the city was difficult and dangerous.

The charge of the 21st Lancers had been costly, but it was not ineffective.  The consequent retirement of the Dervish brigade protecting the extreme right exposed their line of retreat.  The cavalry were resolved to take full advantage of the position they had paid so much to gain, and while the second attack was at its height we were already trotting over the plain towards the long lines of fugitives who streamed across it.  With the experience of the past hour in our minds, and with the great numbers of the enemy in our front, it seemed to many that a bloody day lay before us.  But we had not gone far when individual Dervishes began to walk towards the advancing squadrons, throwing down their weapons, holding up their hands, and imploring mercy.

As soon as it was apparent that the surrender of individuals was accepted, the Dervishes began to come in and lay down their arms—­at first by twos and threes, then by dozens, and finally by scores.  Meanwhile those who were still intent on flight made a wide detour to avoid the cavalry, and streamed past our front at a mile’s distance in uninterrupted succession.  The disarming and escorting of the prisoners delayed our advance, and many thousands of Dervishes escaped from the field.  But the position of the cavalry and the pressure they exerted shouldered the routed army out into the desert, so that retiring they missed the city of Omdurman altogether, and, disregarding the Khalifa’s summons to defend it and the orders of their Emirs; continued their flight to the south.  To harry and annoy the fugitives a few troops were dismounted with carbines, and a constant fire was made on such as did not attempt to come in and surrender.  Yet the crowds continued to run the gauntlet, and at least 20,000 men made good their escape.  Many of these were still vicious, and replied to our fire with bullets, fortunately at very long range.  It would have been madness for 300 Lancers to gallop in among such masses, and we had to be content with the results of the carbine fire.