OFF AT LAST. 71 off-side, you had heaps of room in your zuleetahs for any amount of luxuries in the shape of French novels, sketch-books, and other articles of toilet. Half-adozen spare camels carried the men's cooking pots, rations, water, and our mess saucepans, and voila tout.

The whole force paraded on the desert plateau behind Korti at 3 p.m., and, after a quasi march past before Lord Wolseley, moved off in column of route about forty camels abreast. The track was beautiful going, and every one in high spirits at the prospect of commencing the "real business" at last. Though the spies and native informers had reported that there was no enemy at all on the route, we knew by experience that their information was not to be too much depended on, and were pretty certain that even though we might not meet with any serious resistance in the desert itself, probably we should have some fighting in getting to the river the other end. As Sir Herbert said : "I don't like unnecessary slaughter, but I'm afraid we shall have to kill five hundred or so of the poor devils before we can establish ourselves in Metemmeh." Poor fellow, he