OF THE NINETIES. WARS 88 in a direct line to Mahmoud's zereba. But to have marched along the river would have been to increase the difficulties of the movement,for along thebank there was a thick belt ofbranching dom-palms, and for nearly a mile inland there extended a mass of dense scrub full of thorn bushes, and the ground was cut up with gullies and ravines formed during the ramy season. It was therefore decided that the line of march should be over the sandy andpebbly desert inside this wide belt of scrub. The river wouldbe struck at Mutrus, where themenwould rest and get water, then when the march was resumed they would regain the desert and take such aline that they would be north-east of the enemy's zereba at dawn. The movement was to be directed by compass-bearings takenbya staffofficer,and there would be somelight,for on the eve of Good Friday the Easter moon is at the full. Sunset would be about half-past five, sunrise next day at a quarter-past six. Everything had been carefully thought out, every event provided for, when at five on Thursday evening the first troops began to march out of great battle that was to decide the campaign. Both Egyptian and British soldiers were busy getting every speck of sand and dust out oftheir rifles. A small strong zereba was constructed near the river bank into which all superfluous stores and personal belongings were sent. Half of the 15th Egyptian infantry wereappointed to act as its garrison, and sad was the disappointment of both officers and men on learning that they were to have no share in the coming victory— for who could doubt of the result?

The only possible doubt was as to the fate of individuals. The army was to march lightly equipped,except as to the quantity of cartridges carried by the infantry. In the British regiments every man had 127 rounds for his Lee-Metford rifle. The Egyptian and Soudanese battalions carried a greater weight of the older fashioned and heavier Martini-Henry cartridge.

None hadless than 100 rounds,and some carried as many as 150. Besides their arms and ammunition the soldiershad each a full water-bottle,a haversack with food for one day, and a light blanket for the bivouac.

It wasabout eight miles alongthe river bank camp.

THE DESERT RAILWAY : AN ENGINE OFF THE LINE.