The Dervishes had fallen back before we advanced, after a halt at Sadeah, which we sha'n't see, as the railway cuts across, to Abu Fetmeh.

We bivouacked five miles from their camp, and turned out at three next morning.

The orders were passed by mouth, and we got off as silently as an army of ghosts.
"I shall never forget our disgust when a small cavalry force, sent on ahead to reconnoitre, reported that the Dervishes had abandoned the place during the night, and had crossed the river in native boats.

It was a very clever move, at any rate, on the part of fellows who did not want to fight.

There were we facing them, with our whole infantry and cavalry useless, and we had nothing available to damage the enemy except our artillery and the gunboats.
"These opened fire, and the Dervishes replied heavily.