80 WITH KITCHENER IN THE SOUDAN once went on shore to speak to him. Gregory had got all his traps together, and as the Soudanese poured on board he thought it better to remain with them, as, if his belongings once got scattered, there would* be little chance of his being able to collect them again. After a short time he went up to one of the native officers.

“ This is my first visit here,” he said in Arabic, “ and as I have not brought up a servant with me I do not like to leave my baggage here while I go and report myself to General Hunter. Will you kindly tell me what I had better do? ” “ Certainly. I will place one of my corporals in charge of your things. It would be as well to get them ashore at once, as we shall want the decks clear in order that the men may work freely in getting the stores up from below. The corporal will see that your baggage is carried to the bank, to a spot where it will be out of the way, and will remain with it until you know where it is to be taken.” Thanking him for his civility, Gregory went on shore. The officer who had told him the story of the campaign was still talking to the Major who had come down with the blacks. As Gregory came up he said : “ I wondered what had become of you, Hilliard. I have been telling Major Sidney that a young lieutenant had come up to report himself to the General for service.”

I am glad to see you, sir,” the Major said, holding out his hand. Every additional white officer is a material gain, and I have no doubt that General Hunter will find plenty for you to do. I hear you can speak the negro language as well as Arabic. That will be specially useful here, for the natives are principally negro and speak very little Arabic. How about your baggage ? ” “ One of the native officers has undertaken to get it ashore, and to put a corporal in charge of it until I know where it is to go.”

“ Well, Fladgate, as you are going to the General’s, perhaps you will take Mr. Hilliard with you and introduce him.”