Blood understood the Native mind, He said: 'We must be firm but kind.' A mutiny resulted. I never shall forget the way That Blood upon this awful day Preserved us all from death. He stood upon a little mound, Cast his lethargic eyes around, And said beneath his breath: 'Whatever happens we have got The Maxim Gun, and they have not.'  Hillaire Belloc, The Modern Traveler . 1898, The English army lost 48 dead. The Mahdist forces suffered 12,000 killed, 13,000 wounded, and 5,000 captured. Not one of the Mahdists attacking the Brits got within 50 meters of the British line. "A mere matter of machinery" is how Winston Churchill described it. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/61521/61521-h/61521-h.htm And so their soldiers we are told Were made of men both brave and bold Now dead - face down, stiff and cold While Progress marches on.