CHAPTER XL Dispositions for attack Stone zeriba formed Night of the i6th Officers shot.

THE column mounted and fell in at once, much pleased at such an unexpected bit of luck. At last we were actually coming to blows with the enemy that so many had regarded as a phantom. Sir Herbert galloped ahead on to some rising ground, and quickly took in the position. With the help of glasses, all the hills and rocks surrounding the pass were seen to be dotted with white-robed Arabs, jumping about and gesticulating violently. That there were plenty of them down below too was clearly proved by an officer of the i Qth (Craven, I think it was), who, on turning a corner, ran straight into a crowd of them, and only saved himself by the speed of his pony. Their numbers altogether seemed to be about 2000, allowing for half that number to be in reserve behind the