THE DERVISH PLAN OF CAMPAIGN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVII, Issue II, 11 July 1896, Page 60

THE DERVISH PLAN OF CAMPAIGN.

The arrangements for an immediate forward movement against the Dervishes moving down the Nile have been practically completed. A low river and hot weather suit the marauding fanatics and afford them their favourite season tor attack upon the Egyptian posts and villages. There is a sinister wisdom in their choice of time. A blazing sun is to them no new experience, and a dead low Nile means that they may steal down upon the outposts on either side of the river. Once they have delivered their blow, they can hurry oft and baffle pursuit by fording or swimming the Nile in a hundred places. When the river is ‘ roaring full from bank to bank,’ and 50 feet to 100 feet deep in gorges and pools, there is no hope of swimming horses or camels across. Then there is also an added danger — the stern-wheel boats patrol the river, and woe betide the Dervish patrols or raiders who come within range of their quick - firing cannon and Nordenfelts. Perhaps no stronger evidence can be given of the kind of social pestilence the Der vishes are, and how absolutely develish their methods of conquest, than the fact of their having destroyed every vestige of cultivation beyond the range of the rifles and guns of the forts at Wady Haifa. The huts of the peasants north of Abu Fatmeh, with their fields, have all been laid waste for a distance of 200 miles along the margins of the Nile. At Dal and elsewhere once there were narrow fringes of acacias and palms, that afforded grateful shade to the weary traveller. Every tree has been cut down, and the places that were pleasant little green oases are now burned and blistered wastes.

* My dear,’ said a sick husband, as he lay with hie eyes closed. * I think my time has come at last. I can hear strains of sweetest music that ever mortal ear ' * That’s a little German band on the streer, John.' * That so ?' he said, rousing himself. • Tell ’em to move on.’