IMPORTANT NEWS. 223 fuel, and crammed full of hostile Arabs, in time to be of any use ; and as for making it in six weeks, why it was ridiculous ! We also heard that this expedition was to consist of 10,000 men, including a brigade of Guards, another from India, and various regiments of the Line, besides the 5th Lancers and 2Oth Hussars. It was evidently going to be a big thing, and if successful in co-operating with us, meant that our campaign was only just beginning.

Later on in the day we met a water-convoy under Major Gould of the Lights, sent out from Gakdul to establish a water station near Gebel en Nus, to act as a reserve supply for Buller's force in case of emergency. The only contribution to us from Gould's convoy was our little friend Jacky, the spaniel (?), who was delighted to see us again, he having wisely retired from Gubat with the first convoy and taken up his quarters at Gakdul. On seeing his old friends he at once deserted and joined us, returning with us to Gakdul. The weather had been very cool all day, so much so, that on arriving at our halting-place I discovered I had worn my worsted sleeping-waistcoat