228 WITH THE CAMEL CORPS UP THE NILE.

the scrub close by, but that was all. Mimosa trees, however, flourished in abundance, and in a very short time the camp (such as it was) was pitched, and we prepared to make the most of our stay. The first thing done, after posting sentries, was to build a zeriba of thorny bushes, enclosing the hospital tent, stores, and ammunition. This was to be used at night as a secure sleeping-place, while during the daytime we reposed under the mimosa trees close by. One of these was big enough to shelter the whole of the officers, and was accordingly used as the mess-tree ; the rest of the men made themselves shelters with blankets, rifles, and bushes, and were very happy, having next to no work to do. As to the position itself, that was not quite as perfect as.

it might have been, owing to the formation of the ground. The water puddles were at the foot of the peculiar hill aforesaid, and within easy range of all the hills round, so we had to make the best of a bad job.

During the day pickets and sentries were posted on the hills, in such a position as to command the best view of the country, and to be able to give timely