CLOSE OF CAMPAIGN. 249 make a good trooper. There are Blacks and Blacks as there are “ Browns and Browns.” Many of the negroid races of the Central Soudan are excellent horsemen. The dash of the Khalifa’s mounted men was superb. So it came about that after Omdurman the Sirdar decided to reinforce the Egyptian cavalry with a newly raised squadron or two composed entirely of Blacks. Ex-dervishes of suitable smartness and physique were permitted to join the new body, the ranks of which were filled in a very short time, for hundreds eagerly volunteered. The accounts I have since heard of the 1st Black Cavalry are eminently favourable. There can be no doubt about one thing, —whatever may be said of fellaheen troopers, the Blacks will charge home.

Another matter that merits a little more detail is the action fought by Major Stuart Wortley’s “ friendlies,’ and the work accomplished by the flotilla under Commander Keppel, R.N. It wasthe gunboats that transported the British infantry from their camps at Dakhala and Darmali so smartly to Wad Habeshi.

Their assistance in that respect reduced the campaign from one of months to days, and lessened the risks to the troops. Eight steamers arrived at Dakhala on one occasion, and the transport department did its duty so well that they were loaded and despatched back up stream within twenty-four hours. Royan Island had not only been made a depot of stores, but a sanatorium where sick officers and men were sent as a “pick ’em up.” An order from the Sirdar on the 30th of August was wired to Royan, to find 235 men and 8 officers] who