One hundred years ago
THE DERVISHES of the Soudan are recovering from their torpor, and recently effected a daring raid on Serra, a village fifty miles within the Egyptian frontier. More than a hundred of them, well mounted on camels, entered the place on Thursday, and took the inhabi- tants entirely by surprise. They killed thirty-four persons, including three women, and rode back into the desert apparently unharmed. Such a raid is sure to be repeated, the Dervishes always hearing when a village is unpro- tected. It is said that the number of Egyptian cavalry is insufficient for the full protection of the frontier, and some apprehension is entertained that a pow- erful force may enter it from Dongola. The people seem entirely unable to pro- tect themselves, and if the British were• withdrawn, the Soudanese would proba- bly penetrate to Cairo. Egypt always tempts them, and though the Egyptian Army is in excellent order, it could hardly be trusted, without European officers, against men who have on one occasion broken a British square.
The Spectator 21 May 1892
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