GUBAT AGAIN. 207 low ridge that sloped down to the Nile, the column was halted to make a reconnaissance, but, nothing extraordinary being reported, it moved on again. A big flag-staff was the next object visible, that had not been erected before, and we were pleased also to see a vedette of the ipth at its base ; so far so good, the garrison was evidently not in little pieces. Shortly afterwards, the low Guards' fort came into view, and close by it the remainder of the G.C.R., formed up for assistance in case we were attacked. In a few minutes we were there, and had been welcomed by the garrison, who were particularly glad to see the stores, as they had been on half rations the last five days. The only bit of news they had to tell us was the usual " shave" that the Mahdi was two days off with an army of 18,000 men. Whether that was so or not, I cannot say ; but certainly at dinner that night was heard the noise of blank firing, big guns and rifles, in Metemmeh, which portended something agreeable to the enemy, probably reinforcements.