The Mahaba Field force advanced boldly into the Wadi Rank, immediately getting bogged down with some rifle armed skirmishers in the dried river bed.

On the right the cavalry scouted the palm groves for signs of the eneny.

With “A” Company advancing slowly against the skirmishers on the left, “B” Company pushed forwards in the centre.

A bit too far. The plain erupted with dervishes ! Sheik Yabouti had timed his charge to perfection. Captain Eager hastily formed “B” Company into line and, thinking of little Cecily back in Blighty, drew his trusty Webley to meet the charge.

Miraculously Eager’s line held. Despite the exhortations from his subordinates, the Amir of Balagash failed to muster his reserves for a second decisive blow. It never came. Sheik Yabouti fell in the charge, and although severely wounded managed to cut down another British soldier before being bayoneted.

Ibn Haddh was hit by a bullet from the Nordenfeldt, personally aimed by Colonel Humber. To the last he was calling to the Amir for reinforcements. The Amir remained resolutely in the rear throughout the battle.

It became clear that the now piecemeal Dervish attacks, although proving effective against FitzDashing’s hussars on the right, were doomed to fail. Ali Bashi quickly released the prisoners to prevent a British pursuit and he and his remaining men melted into the hills.

Sir Garnett Humber’s mission was a success and Sir Gerald (and Pundit Singh) had been rescued but at a fairly heavy cost. “B” Company had suffered around 50% casualties and the cavalry had taken quite a mauling. The Amir of Balagash was still at large. The trespass on Holy Ground had not been avenged. And, as night fell, a lone figure crept from the wreckage of the Dervish army. Sheik Ibn Haddh was wounded but alive and prepared for some vengeance of his own…