IDEA OF OPERATIONS. 69 was to establish itself there, using Gakdul as an intermediate point of communication with the base at Korti.

The route from Korti, or strictly speaking from Ambukol, to Metemmeh, had very luckily been selected thirteen years previously by Ismail Pasha (then Viceroy of Egypt) for the continuation of the railway already mentioned, intended to run from Wady Haifa to Khartoum. It had been thoroughly surveyed by his engineers, under the charge of Mr. Fowler, C.E., and an accurate plan, therefore, of the 176 miles was already in our possession.

This was of inestimable value to us, as, besides marking the sites of the various wells, it gave accurate information as to the quantity of water we were likely to find there. Abu Haifa and Gakdul were the largest reservoirs on the track, and as Abu Haifa was reported to have run rather dry, Gakdul was chosen as the important point for concentration. On Tuesday, the 3Oth December, accordingly, the following force started from Korti : one squadron 1 9th Hussars, Guards' Camel Regiment, Mounted