Erratic and isolatedgunfire built into a thunderous fusillade, and the ripples and echoesspread across the city as the startled Egyptians blazed away at shadowsor cravenly fired into the air. The storerooms had been used by the Dervish as executionchambers: desiccated human carcasses lay in abandoned at Herewere five of the Khalif Osman Atalan's women, unveiled andunchaperoned, except by each other, about to be confronted by a warparty of the same Khalif's trusted warriors. Then he did what Osman had been waiting for: he unrolledhis trunk and reached out to seize the man and lift him high off theback of his horse.
The atmosphere was feverish and electric. The blow would smashbone. Sound the ombeya. THE ROAD TO KHARTOUM IS OPEN.
Join the newsletter to receive news, updates, new products and freebies in your inbox.