After The Attack Had Been Broken, And While The Front Of The Zeriba
Was Being Cleared Of The Dervish Riflemen, The 21st Lancers Were Again
Called Upon To Act.
The Sirdar and his generals were all agreed on
one point.
They must occupy Omdurman before the Dervish army could get
back there. They could fight as many Dervishes as cared to come in the
plain; among the houses it was different. As the Khalifa had anticipated,
the infidels, exulting in their victory, were eager, though for a different
reason, to seize the city. And this they were now in a position to do.
The Arabs were out in the desert. A great part of their army was even
as far away as Kerreri. The troops could move on interior lines. They were
bound to reach Omdurman first. The order was therefore given to march on
the city at once. But first the Surgham ridge must be reconnoitred, and the
ground between the zeriba and Omdurman cleared of the Dervishes -
with infantry if necessary, but with cavalry if possible,
because that would be quicker.
As the fusillade slackened, the Lancers stood to their horses.
Then General Gatacre, with Captain Brooke and the rest of his Staff,
came galloping along the rear of the line of infantry and guns, and shouted
for Colonel Martin. There was a brief conversation - an outstretched arm
pointing at the ridge - an order, and we were all scrambling into our
saddles and straightening the ranks in high expectation.
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