THE EGYPTIAN SUDAN while, and it was only important because it was formerly the starting point of the direct caravan road to Omdurman. We left Debba at dawn, and appeared to be steaming straight into the sunrise, for the river makes a sharp bend at Debba, and we travelled in an easterly direction as far as Korti, a place famous as the Headquarters of Lord Wolseley in 1884, during the Gordon Relief Expedition. Early in 1885, the " Desert Column," under Major-General Sir Herbert Stewart, marched from Korti to the Gakdul Wells (ninety-five miles), then on to the Wells of Abu PALM TREES NEAR MERAWI.

Klea (forty-three miles), near which it fought the famous battle, then on to Metamma (twenty-three miles), where its gallant leader was severely wounded, and then under the greatest difficulties it marched back to Korti, all in less than sixty days. It was one of the most glorious marches ever performed by British soldiers, and everyone must be of the opinion of the highest military authority in Europe, Count von Moltke, who said of the men who took part in it, "They were not soldiers but heroes."

FrorA Korti to Merawi the course of the river is north-east, and a few miles from Korti one of the most beautiful stretches of no I