BACK TO THE ZER1BA. 163 With the water-camels in mass in the centre, flanked by the G.C.R. at the right front and Mounted Infantry at the left rear corner in squares, we pushed on fast over the two miles intervening, keeping a sharp look-out for the enemy. Plenty of them were seen about the field of yesterday's battle, hurrying to and from Metemmeh like a swarm of ants ; but as they seemed only to be carrying off the wounded and dead, we did not fire on them. Through our glasses we could see them bearing beds and water about, men, women, and children, all in a great state of excitement, especially when we passed between them and Metemmeh. They seemed quite disorganised, and lid not attempt to attack us, so we continued our larch in peace till we got close up to the zeriba.

'hen many of those left there all night hurried out and welcomed us heartily, and cordial were the greetings indulged in all round. They must have had a bad time of it in the zeriba ; they told us that when the square went out it looked like going to certain death. Swarms of the enemy that we could not see rose out of the scrub and followed us. The guns and M 2