122 WITH THE CAMEL CORPS UP THE NILE.

pectation of a night attack. The low stone wall did not extend back to the flanks of the baggage and stores, which were close behind on somewhat lower ground, so a hasty abattis was erected of thorny bushes and wire-entanglement to protect them as much as possible. A pannikin of lime-juice and water was served out to each man, and the work (if one might so call it) was then manned in double rank by the whole force. Although bullets whistled about our heads wherever a light of any sort was visible, not much harm was done, and men composed themselves to sleep with much sang-froid. Soon on all sides arose the noise of torn toms, now far away in the darkness, and now so close that it seemed as if the whole of the enemy must be mustering for attack within three hundred yards ; it was very jumpy listening to them, so I put my trust in the outposts and went fast asleep. Twice during the night, some man afflicted with bad dreams jumped up with a yell and started all his immediate neighbours on to their legs, but they were quieted directly and lay down again. Although the dropping fire went