CHAPTER XVI.

Reconnaissance in force round Metemmeh Gordon's steamers and troops arrive Building forts Sir C. Wilson's start.

AT 4.30 a.m. the force paraded, nominally for the purpose of taking Metemmeh, but, as it turned out, the manoeuvres were limited to a reconnaissance in force. The ground we paraded on was just outside Gubat, about a mile and a half south-west of Metemmeh, with two straggling villages between us and the town. The troops consisted of the Heavies, now reduced to about two hundred and forty, the Mounted Infantry, and ourselves, together with two guns, a few Engineers, and a proportion of ammunition and hospital camels ; total, about seven hundred and fifty of all ranks.

The Guards' Camel Regiment and Mounted Infantry extended each a couple of companies, and, with the Heavies in reserve, we advanced slowly