CHAPTER VII.

Korti to Gakdul Surveying on camel-back Night marching Abu Loolah and his family Abu Haifa and the Mahdists.

AT length on the 27th December, there was a final inspection of water-skins, necessaries, arms, kits, and accoutrements, and to our delight the report dribbled out that we were to start next day, whither we knew not. The whole of the Heavies had now arrived, and drilled with us several times, so were also ready to start. By-and-by we discovered that the Mounted Infantry had likewise received instructions to hold themselves in readiness for marching, together with a proportion of Commissariat, Hospital, Engineers, and Transport. The line regiments who had arrived by boat had not yet all made their final preparations, so we concluded that Gordon was in great difficulties, and that we were to strike across the Bayuda Desert F 2