New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-06
ENGLAND'S ARAB TROOPS.
a SCENE BEFORE BATTLE IN THE EGYPTIAN
CAMPAIGN

CAMPAIGN.
Kassala correspondence Of The London Times.
The Coonel's words produced almost magi-
cal effect With the Arabs the fantasia must
preccde the fight. SO the men heard
these wholly unexpected but to them exceed
ngly welcome orders, there was scene Of the
most extraordinary excitement. In moment
and Of their own accord the whole $50 men fell
out of their ranks and rushed off at full speed.
shouting. brandishng their rifles. and leaping
toward their huts and there, as is there GUS
tom before going to battle. they dOnned the
amulets that heighten courage and bring good
fortune in war, the armlets and necklaces OF
their wives; and gave farewell embraces to those
dusky danes. whose excitement was as great as
their own. for throughout all the hut encamp-
ment now rose the shrill luluing Of the women
and the din Of beating tOmtOms. But the men
wasted but little time in these traditional OBJ
servances Even as they had rushed off, so did
they soon hurry back. and were again drawn
up before Colonel Parsons, rea " for the march
and eager for the fight and the loOting Of cattle
which would be the reward Of victory
1t was expected that they would DE about
five or SIX days away, but their comlnissariat
arrangements were very simple; they had with
them few camels TO carry skins Of water and
little flour They had no baggage Of any
sort; barefooted. and clad in a scanty robe OF
white cloth, each man carried with him moth
ing but his rifle and ammunition and was quite
prepared. if given his handful Of flour a day
and suffciency Of water, to march from one
end Of the Soudan to the other. Sons Of the
most waflike tribes Of the African Arabs-IIa-
dendOa Benz Amer and otherS-these savage
warriors presented a splendid appearance
they stood there drawn up awaiting the final
order that should let them loose. moving rest
lessly. murmur passing through their ranks.
like hounds with the prey in sight sill held back
by the leash. while their proud chiefs. clad in
their picturesque flowing robes Of various coors.
rode up and down the lire their prancing
horses. \ little distance off stood all the women.
still lulung. clapping their hands. and encOur-
aging their husbands with brave words. All
the warlike instincts Of the race were upper
most, and one felt that men like these need no
tighter discipline than that which now controls
them. when fighting under their chiefs 10 make
them a most formidable foe, even if opposed to
picked European troops.
At last the short. quick word Of command was
given. the bugle sounded. and they were off, a
sixteen hours march between them and the foe.
II was spectacle such one seldom has the
fortune to behold. The sun was just setting, a
red disk on the edge Of the broad plain. and to
the east the huge granite buttresses and peaks
Of the Jebel Kassala glowcd in various tints Of
luminous purple and copper-brOWn. AS the
buge sounded the chiefs waved their swords
and spurTed their horses. the men gave yell
and in a body broke into quick run, brandish-
ing their rifles. leaping and cheering as before.
and rushed in the direction Of the setting sun.
across the plain Of Withered grass, soon to dis
appear i'm the clouds Of dust they raised. So
long as they in sight the women uued
and the tOmtoms beat. 1t was indeed a very
fine setting out for battle ! think that had
even the most peaceable individual Of those who
regard all war with horror been present the
contagion Of that excitement would have found
out in him and made to Jingle some hidden, un-
suspected fibre of the old barbarian.