noon
The enemy made no further attempt to defend it ; they had proved to their cost that the Mahdi 's assurance that the infidel guns would `` spit water '' was a lie . They were disheartened , beaten at all points , and hundreds of their best and bravest lay in heaps on the hills and in the valleys to feed the vultures and the jackals . It was no retreat such as they often made , stalking slowly and sullenly from the field where they had been foiled , but a disorderly flight , a rout . The camp was left to the conquerors , with two standards , all their ammunition , tents , stores , and the spoils of former victories , and before noon the English , without fear of molestation , were slaking their thirst at the wells . `` May I go back to look for Strachan , sir , if you please ? '' `` Yes , Green , '' replied the colonel , `` but take a file of men with you . I think there are none of these fellows left about , but some of the wounded may prove dangerous .