BACK TO GAKDUL. 199 the transport, and in a short time our convoy was brought alongside and bivouacked for the night ; tea was made and drunk, and soon all were wrapped in a well-deserved slumber.

Next morning reveille did not sound till 6.15 for the wounded convoy, so we arose, much refreshed, in broad daylight a thing we had not done for three weeks. The transport convoy had already started, but our orders were to " take it easy " for the benefit of the wounded, so we grazed our camels and did not move off till nearly eight. The day's march was an easy one, till five o'clock, when we halted about halfway between Gebel es Sergain and Gebel en Nus. Next day saw us again on the track, which we followed to within nine miles of Gakdul, and halted on a fair grazing-ground for our poor steeds, who had had no food except this dry grass since leaving Gubat. The following morning we started again at eight, and got into Gakdul before noon.