CHAPTER XXI.

Abu Klea camp again Retirement on Gakdul Death of Sir Herbert Stewart News of a Suakin railway and expedition.

IT was a lovely morning when we left Gubat ; rainless of course the weather always was, but this particular day strongly resembled early September in England, with white fleecy clouds floating about and a cool breeze from the north. It was first-rate weather for marching, and men and camels went strong and well till noon, when we halted for the rest of the day. Although the General had reason (and very good reason, as it afterwards turned out), to believe a strong force of the enemy was advancing from Khartoum, no Arabs were seen at all, and the afternoon was devoted to gentle slumber.

Nothing worthy of remark happened during the night, and by noon next day we had arrived at Abu Klea. There we found the Light Camel