QUIT THE CAMP FOR CHARTUM. 263 your eyes), he said to me at the conclusion, with meaning emphasis ; as if he hoped, hereafter, pursuing his conquests in this direction, to be able to carry out his favourite plan of forming all his regiments from the blacks alone.

As the Pascha could not spare troops to afford us a sufficient escort to Gos Rajab, our journey had to be kept the greater secret, as during the night the challenging cries and bowlings of the Haddenda had been heard on the other side of the highly swollen Gohr-el-Gash. At break of day an alarm was beaten, and, as usual, all, without the smallest order, rushed out of the camp, as the foe was believed to be already at our gates. In the utmost haste our camels were laden, and I took our collection and the greater part of our things Avith me to place them in safety in Chartum, as a surprise and plundering of the camp was likely sooner or later to occur. The Pascha accompanied us with the greater part of his forces to the village of Ilauathi on the banks of the Gash, by this demonstration, and also by the fire of grape-shot across the Gohr, to frighten the Haddenda back into the Chaaba. This manoeuvre succeeded completely, for Mohammed Ehle by his spies found out, that the Arabs had directed their steps to the nortli, nor was tlicre any trace of tlK'msclves now to be seen ; and this, ere long, the bold Melek Malimud confirmed, who had taken with his Schaigies possession of the opposite bank of the Gohr to secure the passage across it. He now received orders from tlie Pasclia to cover our flank on the side of the Chaaba, to draw oflTtlie enemy's attention and mask our ninrch, and, if necessary, escort us Avith liis horsemen as far as the Atbani river. Now commenced leave-takings as if avc were never ngain to meet each other, save in Paradise; even tlie Pascha looked sorrowful; his unsuccessful campaign, his fame ; and again gazing questioningly at me, embraced me for the first and last time, on whicli, as became their slavish souls, his train and foUoAvers took leave of me Avith nnu'h respect and reverence. It Avas curious tliat my brother and I, dear as Ave were to eacli otlur, parted, as if Ave Averc merely separating for a morning's ride. "We both regarded this as a good omen ; it seemed as if a greater certainty Avas given to our again meeting by this cheerful feeling, and by this more happy mood succeeding to our forebodings of evil.