128 THE DOWNFALL OF THE DERVISHES clad in a fine gzbdek, with a long spear in his hand. Here, at last, was a living Dervish within five yards! He made no effort to escape, and was at once surrounded and taken prisoner. On his being searched, five Maria Theresa dollars were discovered in the folds of his clothing, and the triumphant Lancers returned to the Sirdar and his staff with the proud consciousness of having captured the first real Dervish prisoner of the campaign.

After a modest rehearsal of their achievement, they begged that in memory of the event the gtbbeh, dollars, and spear of the captive might be handed over to themselves. No objection being raised, the prisoner, who, throughout the affair, had looked not at all alarmed, but only rather bored, was again led off to be interrogated by the Intelligence Department, when the exultant Lancers learned that the captive was one of Colonel Wingate's best spies, and after doing some excelleht work in front had been quietly waiting to rejoin our forces! The five dollars had to be unearthed from the depths of the Lancers’ pockets, and the imitation Dervish again strutted proudly about with his coat of many colours and his broad-bladed spear.