2o6 WITH THE CAMEL CORPS UP THE NILE.

result being that 15,000 rations were left at the camp. There had been 60,000 rations at Gakdul, and quantities of ammunition, but of these only 30,000 rations and no ammunition were brought on to Abu Klea, and now 15,000 of these were to be left here ; it certainly did not look like holding Gubat for any length of time, much more like a general retirement without even taking Metemmeh. The whole force moved off at two o'clock, and we halted at five on the edge of the scrub. There was to have been a rocket sent up from Gubat at eight o'clock, to show that all was still well ; it never appeared, but as it was rather doubtful whether it could be seen at that distance, its non-appearance caused no anxiety. The only other excitement during the night was a wild Irishman of the 1 8th letting off his rifle at a bush, which he imagined to be the enemy ; however, as the shot came from the direction of the i8th, we ascribed it rightly to heated Hibernian imagination, and did not put ourselves out about it. We were off by 6.30 the next morning, and proceeded cautiously towards Gubat. On topping the