invoked the assistance of the various gods they worshipped—­started off, and marched all day in single file through the thick bush which lies between the Atbara and Gedaref.  The column retired to rest peacefully during the night of the 21st, although within twelve miles of Gedaref.  But at midnight startling news arrived.  A deserter from the Dervishes made his way into the camp and informed Colonel Parsons that the Emir Saadalla awaited him with 3,500 men two miles before the town.  The situation was grave.  A retreat through the broken country and thick bush in the face of a powerful and triumphant enemy seemed impossible.  There was no alternative but to attack.

Very early on the morning of the 22nd—­the same day on which General Hunter on the Blue Nile was compelling Musa Digna and his followers to surrender—­ Colonel Parsons and the Kassala column set forth to march into Gedaref and to fight whatever force it might contain.  For the first two hours the road lay through doura plantations and high grass which rose above the heads even of men mounted on camels; but as the town was approached, the doura ceased, and the troops emerged from the jungle on to an undulating moorland with occasional patches of rushes and withered grass.  At half-past seven, and about three miles from Gedaref, the enemy’s scouts were encountered.  A few shots were fired.  The soldiers pressed their march, and at eight o’clock had reached a small knoll, from the top of which an extensive view was obtainable.  The column halted, and Colonel Parsons and his officers ascended the eminence to reconnoitre.

A most menacing spectacle confronted them.  Scarcely a mile away a strong force of Dervishes was rapidly advancing to meet the invaders.  Four lines of white figures rising out of the grass showed by their length the number, and by their regularity the discipline, of the enemy.  The officers computed the strength of their antagonists at not fewer than 4,000.  Subsequent investigation has shown that the Emir Saadalla marched out of Gedaref with 1,700 riflemen, 1,600 spearmen, and 300 horse.

The swiftness of the Dervish advance and the short space that intervened between the forces made it evident that a collision would take place within half an hour.  The valley was rocky, and overgrown with grass and reeds; but to the right of the track there rose a high saddleback hill, the surface of which looked more open, and which appeared to command the approaches from Gedaref.  The troops knew nothing of the country; the Dervishes understood it thoroughly.  The high ground gave at least advantage of view.  Colonel Parsons resolved to occupy it.  Time was however, very scanty.

The order was given, and the column began to double across the valley towards the saddleback.  The Dervishes, perceiving the nature of the movement, hurried their advance in the hope of catching the troops on the move and perhaps of even seizing the hill itself.  But they were too late.  Colonel Parsons and his force reached the saddleback safely, and with a few minutes to spare climbed up and advanced along it in column in the direction of Gedaref—­the Arab battalion leading, the 16th Egyptians next, and last of all the irregulars.