A WELCOME TO THE CONTINGENT. 255 arms who have come hither to share in the perils and toils, and we hope also the glories of this campaign. Those who are engaged in the present expedition are proud to bear with you the name of Englishmen, for you belong as much as we do to that glorious nation on which it has been said the sun never sets, and we hope that our freedom will shine for ever, as the sun upon our people. The heart of every Englishman beats high at the magnanimous spirit of our colonies—that spirit which knits us together as members of one great empire to maintain our honour. We honour the feeling which led you to leave your pleasant homes, your wives, your children, and your friends, to share the perils of this dreary war against the desert and its savages. We know you will cheerfully submit to those privations, as all your comrades here have had to do. You must know that severe discipline is absolutely necessary to the safety of an army in the field, and you will submit to that discipline as much in the work you will have to do as in actual fighting. The eyes of all Englishspeaking races, and indeed the eyes of the whole civilized world, are upon you, and I am certain that you will uphold the honour of the empire. I feel proud to command such a force, and am sure it will do the greatest credit to New South Wales and to the race of which you are an important part" Reconnaissances having been made the force advanced, as ordered, on the 1st of April with the necessarily large transport service, leaving only about 3000 men of various battalions to protect Suakim with four screw mountain-guns and the Australian artillery, all the remainder of the field force being either on the march or at the seriba. The total strength of the advancing fighting force was 8175 officers and men and 1361 horses. On the 2d, after a difficult journey through the bush, a large seriba was formed in the centre of the group of the Tselah Hills, whence the scattered villages of New Tamai could be seen hardly two miles distant. The whole force with followers amounted to 10,000 men, provisions and water for whom had to be conveyed by the transports. It was soon evident, however, that Osman Digma did not mean to risk another battle, and though desultory firing from parties of Arabs in the ravines and gullies was continued at intervals, and some of our men were hit, two of the Australians being wounded, it was soon evident that the enemy were unable to oppose any serious resistance to the advance of the force, which was continued through the recently-deserted villages. The movements of our troops were so directed as to endeavour to draw the Arabs from their positions, but they were evidently not able to venture a regular engagement, and, as they continued to retire, and it would have been fruitless to follow Osman Digma into the mountains without supplies of water for the transport, the withdrawal of the force by alternate brigades was ordered. New Tamai was destroyed along with considerable quantities