86 WITH THE CAMEL CORPS UP THE NILE.

the rear to close up, and for the iQth to find out whether the wells were in possession of the enemy. The Hussars speedily climbed their ponies up the hills, found the place deserted, posted vedettes on the highest rocks, and sent back to report. The column accordingly advanced through a narrow pass, barely one hundred yards wide, into a tiny plain, culminating in a regular cul-de-sac. " Where, oh, where are the wells ? " inquired everybody. They were not to be seen at first, till the Intelligence Department, in the shape of Major Kitchener, pointed out a steep wall of rock at the far end. On peeping round this, we discovered a magnificent pool of water, about twenty yards by thirty, and apparently of unknown depth, for the rocks went perpendicularly down into it.

The column formed up gingerly on the nubbly stones, dismounted with difficulty, as the camels objected to kneeling on such unpleasant ground, and proceeded to unload stores, etc. I concluded to explore the wells thoroughly, so tied Potiphar to a tree, and arduously climbed to the top of the pre-