On the 5th of September Colonel Parsons, in command of the forces at Kassala, heard through the Italian Governor of Eritrea of the victory at Omdurman.  The next day official news arrived from England, and in conformity with previous instructions he set out on the 7th for Gedaref.  It was known that Ahmed Fedil had marched towards Omdurman.  It was believed that Gedaref was only weakly held, and the opportunity of cutting the most powerful remaining Dervish army from its base was too precious to be neglected.  But the venture was desperate.  The whole available strength of the Kassala garrison was mustered.  With these 1,350 motley soldiers, untried, little disciplined, worn with waiting and wasted by disease, without cavalry, artillery, or machine guns, and with only seven British officers, including the doctor, Gedaref was taken, and, having been taken, was held.

After two long marches Colonel Parsons and his force arrived at El Fasher, on the right bank of the Atbara.  Their advance, which had hitherto led them through a waterless desert, was now checked by a raging torrent.  The river was in full flood, and a channel of deep water, broader than the Thames below London Bridge and racing along at seven miles an hour, formed a serious obstacle.  Since there were no boats the soldiers began forthwith to construct rafts from barrels that had been brought for the purpose.  As soon as the first of these was completed, it was sent on a trial trip.  The result was not encouraging.  The raft supported ten men, occupied five hours in the passage, was carried ten miles down stream, and came back for its second journey on the afternoon of the next day.  It was evident that this means of transport was out of the question.  The only chance of success—­indeed, of safety—­lay in the force reaching and taking Gedaref before the return of Ahmed Fedil.  All depended upon speed; yet here was a hopeless delay.  After prolonged discussion it was resolved to act on the suggestion of an Egyptian officer and endeavour to build boats.  The work proved easier than was anticipated.  The elastic wood of the mimosa scrub supplied the frames; some tarpaulins—­fortunately available—­formed the outer covering.  The Egyptian soldiers, who delighted in the work, succeeded in making daily from such materials one boat capable of carrying two tons; and in these ingenious contrivances the whole force crossed to the further bank.  The camels, mules, and horses of the transport—­ their heads supported with inflated water-skins tied under their jowls—­ were made to swim across the river by the local Shukrieh Arabs.  Such was the skill of these tribesmen that only one camel and one mule were drowned during the operation.  The passage was completed on the 16th, and the next day the advance was resumed along the west bank of the Atbara.  At midday on the 18th Mugatta was reached, and at dawn on the 20th the little force —­having filled their water-skins, tightened their belts, and