QUIT THE CAMP FOR CHARTUM. 263 your eyes), he said to me at the eonclusion, -with meaning emphasis ; as if he hoped, hereafter, pursuing his conquests in this direction, to be able to carry out his favourite plan of forming aJl his regiments from the bhicks alone.

As the Pascha could not spare troops to afford us a sufficient escort to Gos Rajab, our journey had to be kept the greater secret, as during the night the challenging cries and bowlings of the Haddenda had been heard on the other side of the highly swollen Gohr-el-Gash. At break of day an alarm was beaten, and, as usual, all, without the smallest order, rushed out of the camp, as the foe was believed to be already at our gates. In the utmost haste our camels were laden, and I took our collection and the greater part of our things with me to place them in safety in Chartum, as a surprise and plundering of the camp was likely sooner or later ta occur. The Pascha accompanied us with the greater part of his forces to tlie village of Ilauatlii on the banks of the Gash, by this demonstration, and also by tlie fire of grape-shot across the Gohr, to frighten the Haddenda back into the Chaaba. This manoeuvre succeeded completely, for Mohammed Ehle by his spies found out, that the Arabs had directed their steps to the north, nor was there any trace of themselves now to be seen ; and this, ere long, the bold Melek Mahmud confirmed, who had taken with his Scliaigies possession of the opposite bank of the Gohr to secure the passage across it. He now received orders from the Pascha to cover our flank on the side of the Chaaba, to draw oft" the enemy's attention and mask our march, and, if necessary, escort us with his horsemen as far as the Atbara river. Now commenced leave-takings as if we were never again to meet each other, save in Paradise ; even the Pascha looked sorrowful ; his unsuccessful campaign, his fame ; and again gazing questioningly at me, embraced me for the first and last time, on which, as became their slavish souls, his train and followers took leave of me with much respect and reverence. It was curious that my brother and I, dear as we were to each other, parted, as if we were merely separating for a morning's ride. We both regarded this as a good om.en ; it seemed as if a greater certainty was given to our again meeting by this cheerful feeling, and by tliis more happy mood succeedins to our forebodings of evil.