Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-27

nearest tho Nile. Maxwell and Lewis
being almost opposite one OF the man
thorouyhfares Of the town. A mart
for water. food. and rest was ordered.
Parties were Instantly detailed TO NIL
wafer-n)ttles and fantasies iron
tanks). The cooks, too. got to work, and
fires were klndled, with wood torn from
neighboring huts, and meal was pre-
pared. Under the burning SUNSHINE ao"n
upon the loose dirt and gravel, oncers
and men sprawled to rest themselves.
There was a very muddy creek or inlet
near and thither went thousands. parch-
ed with thirst. TO drink, not hesitatingiy.
but to gulp down copious draughts OF
water. tough and thick, as from a clay
puddle. | wandered with my horse
little way into the town, and Gown TO-
wards the main stream OF the Nife, wnere
the water was cleaner and cooler than
nearer the Atbara. There were plenty OF
Deryishes TO be seen about, looking . M
lanes and walls, but they were FAR Som
being particularly aggressive at that part
OF the town. Indeed, several large groups
of men, Arabs and negroes, came up,
bearing white rags on sticks IN 'front.' Oh
them. and | told them it was all right.
lust TO march on into the British lines,
where the soldiers would receive them
let him feed on grass by the rivers brink,
filed my water-bottle, and returned by
circuitous route, where ] saw something
more OF the natives OF Omdurman. They
were not inclined 10 be friendly, but pre-
ferred shooting at the stranger. Ihelr
practice was very bad.
Upon arriving back where the army
still lay. I found that there was fresh
movement afoot. Slatln Pasha, who had
been indefatigable on the battlefield IN
watching the course OF events, and 10
eating the commands OF the various I'M
portant Dervish chiefs. had received news
that the Khalifa was In the town. He
had, on passing over the field, searched
around the black flag and other leaders
banners to see, who lay there. In the
heaped dead about the Khalfa's flag he
had seen Yacoub, Abdullahs brother. and
many more leaders. but the arch head OF
Mahdism with Sheik Ed Din and Osman
Digna. was nowhere to be found. | had
myself Intercepted fifty DerYishes upon
the field TO ascertain the whereabouts or
Abdullah and the other pair named. The
Khalifa and Sheik Ed Din l was as
sured, were wounded, and had gone be-
hind the hills, to the west. AS for Osman.
my old acquaintance. 1t was always with
a grim smile they replied. he was safe.
and had left early, flying far. far away.
Slatin Pasha had got news from former
friends that the fugitives and towns
people would gladly surrender, and the
sooner the Sirdar marched in and took
possession the better. True. the Khalifa,
with several hundreds OF followers, or
mayhap a thousand or more, was yet
within the central part Of Omdurman.
Most OF his Jehadleh, II was urged, would
give In at once II an opportunity were
afforded them, and so Abdullah would be
caught with Maxwelrs Brigade, the Sir
dar and staff pushed along the great
thoroughfare that leads from the north
past the end of the rectangular wall. to-
ward the Mosque enclosure and MahdPs
tomb. Infantry, guns, and Maxims pre-
ceded but few PAGES In front.
Vile beyond description was Omdurman.
the houses streets lanes, and spaces.
Beasts pay more regard to sanitation
than Dervishes. Pools OF slush and stag
nant water abounded. Dead animals In
all stages Of decomposition lay there In
hundreds and thousands. Besides these
were lttering the place camels. horses,
donkeys. dead and wounded fresh from
the battlefield. And there were many
other CHASTITY sights. Dead Dervlshes
in pools Of blood In the roadway, COM
pounds full of wounded fugitives, and not
a few women and children, mostly young
girls, lying stiff and stark. hastily muir
dered by Jealous masters. who fled as we
entered Many Of the poor creatures had
evidently been running towards the river
TO try and escape when they were caught
and killed The scenes were shocking,
the smells abominable. overpowering to
many who sought to ride In.
rs that mean. dirty compound, with