GORDON AND THE MAHDI. 66 THE EGYPTIAN CAMEL CORPS.

quantity of provisions and water sufficient to supply the army for three days were stored there. The next day the rebels, massed some two miles off and numbering 2000 strong, kept up a continuous fire onthe English sentries and outposts,but this wasnot returned.

On February 27 a lasteffort was made to treat with the rebels. A flag of truce with a letter attached was carried by Major Harvey a distance of two miles and thrust intothe ground. Thefollowing morninghe found the flagandletter gone but noreplyawaitinghim. The whole of the expeditionhad encamped that night near FortBaker, and early nextmorning the menwereunder arms and ready for an advance. The force consisted of 3000 infantry, 750mounted troops, and 115 of thenaval brigade, with six machine guns and eight sevenpounders of theroyal artillery. It was formedinahollow square, or rather oblong, with the transport animals carrying reserve ammunition, artillery ammunition, and hospital equipment inside it. The Gordon Highlanders formed the front, the Black Watch the rear, the Royal Irish Fusiliers the right flank, and the York and Lancaster regiment, which hadonly arrivedthe preceding evening