nine o'clock
It was upon this island that Fadil 's force was established . The position was a strong one -- the sand hills rose from an almost flat plain , a thousand yards away ; and this would have to be crossed by the assailants , without any shelter whatever . The Dervishes were bound to fight their hardest , as there was no possibility of escape , if defeated . At nine o'clock the Soudanese and irregulars lined the bank and opened fire , while the two Maxims came into action . The Dervishes replied briskly , and it was soon evident that , at so long a range , they could not be driven from their position . Several fords were found , and the irregulars , supported by a company of the 10th , crossed the river , and took up a position two hundred yards in advance , to cover the passage of the rest . These crossed with some difficulty , for the water was three and a half feet deep , and the current very strong ; and they were , moreover , exposed to the fire of Fadil 's riflemen , from the high cliff on the opposite bank .