Keeping near the opposite bank, the gunboats, led by the Zafir, made their way up the river.

Dervish horsemen could be seen, riding from fort to fort, doubtless carrying orders.
The river was some four thousand yards wide and, at this distance, the gunboats opened fire at the two nearest forts.

The range was soon obtained to a nicety, and the white sergeants and native gunners made splendid practice, every shell bursting upon the forts, while the Maxims speedily sent the Dervish horsemen galloping off to the distant hills, on which could be made out a large camp.
The Dervish gunners replied promptly, but the range was too great for their old brass guns.

Most of the shot fell short, though a few, fired at a great elevation, fell beyond the boats.

One shell, however, struck the Zafir, passing through the deck and killing a Soudanese; and a shrapnel shell burst over the Fatteh.
After an hour's fire, at this range, the gunboats moved up opposite the position; and again opened fire with shell and shrapnel, committing terrible havoc on the forts, whose fire presently slackened suddenly.
This was explained by the fact that, as the gunboats passed up, they saw that the embrasures of the forts only commanded the approach from the north; and that, once past them, the enemy were unable to bring a gun to bear upon the boats.