four acres, was a roaring fiery furnace, with ammunition exploding in every direction. Our troops were not idle, and, taking advantage of the disorder that prevailed among the enemy, climbed the fortifications in every direction and poured in a most destructive fire with their rifles. The heat inside became so intense that the Arabs heaved immense quantities of cartridges, powder, and caps over their defences to prevent them exploding.

They broke out of the fort and fled precipitately to the river, being forced into this direction by the position of our forces between them and their other bomas. On arriving at the river, they crowded on to the bridge in such numbers that it broke: the irregulars, natives, and even their own auxiliaries, harassed them, and as the panic became complete they jumped into the river, and, in