THE PLEASURES OF A NIGHT-MARCH. 145 broadened, and perpetual orders were sent back to close up in rear. Not a light of any sort was allowed ; orders were passed on in whispers, and strict silence enjoined. It looked very much like a forced march.

Past ten o'clock, and no halt ! It was evident that Sir Herbert intended to reach the river by the next morning, and we were to march the twenty-six miles intervening during the night. The perpetual hurrying up of the rear Transport, and lagging of many of the tired-out and famished camels in front, now began to create horrible confusion, and, once scattered, the column got frightfully " mixed;" in the darkness it was useless to try to find one's own men and camels, and Transport, medical stores, regimental baggage, Blue-jackets, niggers, and Commissariat all got hopelessly entangled. My niggers went to sleep, and let their camels drift ; the guard got separated and lost in the vast mass of animals and men; I wasn't allowed to shout or bugle them together : altogether my charges were in a nice state. I kept my eye on one of my niggers with a string of water camels, and vowed I wouldn't lose sight of him ; somebody got between me and him, and in another