A PATROL ON THE ATBARA. 
53 
certain the enemy's loss and he reported having found about forty 
dead bodies. The results of the different methods of fighting were 
very obvious. 
It was now pretty certain from the accounts I received, that this 
was the last formed body to pass and I began to think it would soon 
be time to return to Kassala. I had orders to leave 100 men in a post 
at Asobri before returning, and I made arrangements accordingly with 
Wilkinson. I also sent a small f sneaking' patrol towards Gedarif to 
see if Acbmet Fedil showed any signs of movement. My fever had 
now rendered me useless, so on the night of the 26th, I was tied on a 
camel and taken into Kassala by the faithful Adlan and Hassibullah, 
leaving instructions for the irregulars to follow next evening unless re¬ 
quired by Captain Wilkinson, or unless there were signs of any more 
dervishes. 
The total loss inflicted on the dervishes amounted to :— 
350 killed, including several emirs. 
580 prisoners, including three emirs. 
70 horses 
70 odd donkeys 
1 mule 
4 camels 
Captured. 
Also much loot, including five flags, large numbers of rifles and other 
weapons. There were rumours among the other shiekhs that Hassi¬ 
bullah had annexed a considerable sum in dollars taken from Osman 
Digna, but on being taxed with it by me he stoutly denied it. Later 
intelligence received from Gedarif, however, proves that the rumour 
was true. 
Of the prisoners, about 400 were blacks, 100 Baggaras, thirty 
women and the remainder miscellaneous, including several boys. 
Many of the men were in poor condition, but others, especially those 
captured from the larger bodies, were stout and strong enough. Most of 
the blacks medically fit, were subsequently sent round to the Nile to 
be enrolled in the black regiments. Others were enrolled at 
Kassala in the Arab Battalion. The Baggaras were kept in chains 
at Kassala to do dirty work. The disposal of the ladies gave both 
trouble and amusement. Many of my men were most anxious for 
wives or servants, so I made out a list of applicants in the order in 
which I considered they should be given their choice and handed it 
over to Colonel Parsons. They all rushed at him then, so as he had 
plenty of other work in hand, he sent the ladies and the list to Sedi 
Ali, the Sheikh Morgani, well known as the holy man of the Soudan 
and held in the greatest veneration by the Arabs. The anxiety of the 
applicants, however, overcame even their reverence and Sedi Ali had 
eventually to send and ask for a detachment of police to keep the 
would-be bridegrooms at a respectful distance. 
Several of the captured horses died before reaching Kassala. They 
