of
the Dervish army made good their retreat unmolested.

We marched back to the Nile. The whole force had halted to drink, to
eat, and to rest at Khor Shambat. The scene was striking. Imagine a six
hundred yards stretch of the Suez Canal. Both banks are crowded with
brown- or chocolate-clad figures. The northern side is completely
covered with the swarming infantry of the British division. Thousands of
animals--the horses of the cavalry, the artillery mules, the transport
camels--fill the spaces and the foreground. Multitudes of khaki-clad men
are sitting in rows on the slopes. Hundreds are standing by the brim or
actually in the red muddy water. All are drinking deeply. Two or three
carcasses, lying in the shallows, show that the soldiers are thirsty
rather than particular. On all sides water-bottles are being filled from
the welcome Nile, which has come into the desert to refresh the weary
animals and men.

During the attack on MacDonald's brigade the Egyptian cavalry had
watched from their position on the southern slopes of the Kerreri Hills,
ready to intervene, if necessary, and support the infantry by a charge.
As soon as the Dervish onsets had ended and the whole mass had begun to
retreat, Broadwood's cavalry brigade formed in two lines, of four and of
five squadrons respectively, and advanced in pursuit--first west for two
miles, and then south-west for three miles more towards the Round-topped
Hill. Like the 21st Lancers, they were delayed by many Dcrvishes who
threw down their arms and surrendered, and whom it was necessary to
escort to the river. But as they drew nearer the mass of the routed
army, it became apparent that the spirit of the enemy was by no means
broken. Stubborn men fired continually as they lay wounded, refusing
to ask for quarter--doubting, perhaps, that it would be granted. Under
every bush that gave protection from the lances of the horsemen little
groups collected to make a desperate stand. Solitary spearmen awaited
unflinching the charge of a whole squadron. Men who had feigned death
sprang up to fire an unexpected shot. The cavalry began to suffer
occasional casualties. In proportion as they advanced the resistance of
the enemy increased. The direct pursuit had soon to be abandoned, but
in the hope of intercepting some part of the retreating mob Major Le
Gallais, who commanded the three leading squadrons, changed direction
towards the river, and, galloping nearly parallel to Khor Shamba