212 WITH THE CAMEL CORPS UP THE NILE.

it, and even offered two spears in exchange. I don't know where .the beauty of it lay ; but, of course, seeing they appreciated it so highly, I declined to let it go. Eventually, after much haggling, we got several articles in exchange for some priceless cakes of tobacco, which the blacks valued far above money, and returned to our fort.

Before dawn next morning the wounded convoy paraded, but did not get off till daylight : they were escorted by some Heavies, Coldstream, Marines, and Mounted Infantry. The morning was occupied in getting our camels into decent order and feeding them as much as possible ; for by this time it was no secret that we should evacuate the position and retire on Abu Klea as soon as all was ready. About noon a Hussar brought in word that the convoy was being attacked by the enemy, so we were for some time in momentary expectation of being ordered out to its assistance. Luckily, however, another messenger came in to say that the Light Camel Corps had come up in the nick of time from Abu Klea, and that the enemy had bolted.