CHAPTER VII:  THE RECOVERY OF THE DONGOLA PROVINCE

Countless and inestimable are the chances of war.  Those who read the story, and still more those who share the dangers, of a campaign feel that every incident is surrounded with a host of possibilities, any one of which, had it become real, would have changed the whole course of events.  The influence of Fortune is powerfully and continually exerted.  In the flickering light of conflict the outlines of solid fact throw on every side the vague shadows of possibility.  We live in a world of ‘ifs.’  ‘What happened,’ is singular; ‘what might have happened,’ legion.  But to try to gauge the influence of this uncertain force were utterly futile, and it is perhaps wise, and indisputably convenient, to assume that the favourable and adverse chances equate, and then eliminate them both from the calculation.

The ‘Sirdar’s luck’ became almost proverbial in the Soudan.  As the account progresses numerous instances will suggest themselves.  It was lucky that the Dervishes did not harass the communications, or assail Akasha before it was fortified.  It was lucky that they fought at Firket; that they retired from Berber; that Mahmud did not advance in January; that he advanced in March; that he did not retire before the battle of the Atbara; that the Khalifa did not hold the Shabluka; that he did not attack on the night before Omdurman, and that he did attack at dawn.

But after Firket all things were contrary.  One unexpected misfortune succeeded another.  Difficulties were replaced by others as soon as they had been overcome.  The autumn of 1896 was marked by delay and disappointment.  The state of the Nile, the storms, the floods, the cholera, and many minor obstacles, vexed but did not weary the commander.  The victory at Firket was succeeded by a long pause in the operations.  The army had made one spring forward; it must now gather energy for another.  The preparations, however, proceeded rapidly.  A strong camp was formed at Firket.  MacDonald’s brigade occupied Suarda two days after the fight, and this place now became the advanced post, just as Akasha had been in the first phase of the campaign.  The accumluation of stores at Firket and Suarda began forthwith.  Owing to the arrangements which had been made before the engagement it was possible to collect within one week of the action two months’ supplies at Suarda for the garrison of 2,000 men, and one month’s at Firket for the 7,000 troops encamped there.  Thereafter, however, the necessity of hurrying the railway construction and the considerable daily demands of 9,000 men only allowed this margin to be increased very gradually.