m upon the commander he detested
and despised. An insurmountable obstacle confronted them. Yet what
could not be overcome might be avoided. The hardy Dervishes could endure
privations which would destroy the soldiers of civilisation. Barren and
inhospitable as was the desert, they might move round the army at the
Atbara fort and so capture Berber after all. Once they were behind the
Egyptians, these accursed ones were lost. The railway--that mysterious
source of strength--could be cut. The host that drew its life along it
must fight at a fearful disadvantage or perish miserably. Besides, he
reminded Mahmud--not without reason--that they could count on help in
Berber itself.

The agreement of the Emirs, called to the council, decided the Dervish
leader. His confidence in himself was weakened, his hatred of Osman
Digna increased. Nevertheless, following the older man's advice, he
left Aliab on the 18th of March, and struck north-east into the desert
towards the village and ford of Hudi on the Atbara river. Thence by
a long desert march he might reach the Nile and Berber. But while his
information of the Sirdar's force and movements was uncertain, the
British General was better served. What Mahmud failed to derive from
spies and 'friendlies,' his adversary obtained by gunboats and cavalry.
As soon, therefore, as Sir H. Kitchener learned that the Dervishes had
left the Nile and were making a detour around his left flank, he marched
up the Atbara river to Hudi. This offered Mahmud the alternative of
attacking him in a strong position or of making a still longer detour.
Having determined upon caution he chose the latter, and, deflecting his
march still more to the east, reached the Atbara at Nakheila. But from
this point the distance to Berber was far too great for him to cover. He
could not carry enough water in his skins. The wells were few, and held
against him. Further advance was impossible. So he waited and entrenched
himself, sorely troubled, but uncertain what to do. Supplies were
running short. His magazines at Shendi had been destroyed as soon as he
had left the Nile. The Dervishes might exist, but they did not thrive,
on the nuts of the dom palms. Soldiers began to desert. Osman Digna,
although his advice had been followed, was at open enmity. His army
dwindled.

And all this time his terrible antagonist watched him as a tiger gloats
on a helpless and certain prey--silent, merciless, inexorable. Then the
end came