174 WITH THE CAMEL CORPS UP THE NILE.

the enemy's fire, which had been concentrated on them. And just there Major Poe of the Marines was hit by a bullet which smashed his thigh. He would persist in wearing a red coat, saying his grey one was not fit to be seen, and this naturally attracted the Arab marksmen. At length we got the command to retire, and did so slowly, by alternate battalions, setting fire to the houses on the way. We were back at Gubat by noon, feeling that we had spent an unsatisfactory morning.

After the men's dinner we all paraded to strengthen the position. Various counsels prevailed for a time ; but at last it was settled to build a fort at the river, to hold the whole force except the Guards' Camel Regiment, which was to establish itself in the village of Gubat, on the top of the slope, so as to prevent the enemy from taking possession of it and " slating " the lower fort. Accordingly all camelsaddles were taken to the banks, and a rough defence was made with them, enclosing the stores and hospital. A small fort was also begun by our men in the village, by pulling down some of the huts and building walls with the dbris> but not much progress could be