ABSTRACT
With fanatical Dervishes, intoxicated by success, surrounding them on all sides ; with the fortified stronghold of Metamma held by a superior force but a few miles away ; and with the Mahdi able to press forward at any moment from Khartum, the position of the British at Gubat was most precarious. But in war, as in science, relativity plays a part. Wilson was undoubtedly relatively more secure at Gubat than he had been at any time since he had turned his back upon Khartum. There were, however, but 922 men all told at Gubat,2 and this little garrison contained several companies of Sudanese. The Arabs at Metamma numbered between 2,000 and 3,000.® Rumour had it that Muhammad Ahmad, at the head of 50,000 men, was heading for Gubat. It was obvious, therefore, that Wilson’s position still remained extremely precarious.
