For a moment the Dervish lines halted, astonished at the storm to which they were exposed.

But it was only for a moment.
The wide gaps were filled up, and at a quicker pace than before, the great line swept on; the banner bearers and Baggara horsemen pushing forward to the front, to encourage the infantry.
Seeing how persistently they were coming on, the Sirdar ordered the men of Lyttleton's brigade to open fire at long range.

The Grenadiers were the first to begin, firing volleys in sections.

The other regiments of the brigade were soon hard at it, but neither they nor the Maxims appeared to be doing serious execution, while the terrible effect of the shell fire could really be seen.

But, although great numbers of the enemy were killed or wounded by the bursting shells, there was no halt in the forward movement.
Suddenly, over the crest and sides of the Surgham Hill, the division of the Dervish right, reinforced by a portion of Yacoub's division, appeared; and over fifteen thousand men came streaming down the hill, waving banners and shouting their war cries.