AFLOAT 141 CHAPTER X AFLOAT first three day’s journey passed without any advent-J--Qre. From the natives who still remained in the little villages they passed, they learned that the report that the Dervishes had left Berber was generally believed ; but whether they had marched for Metemmeh or for some other point was unknown. The people were delighted to see the gunboat, as until its arrival they had been in hourly fear of raiding parties. They had heard of the capture of Abu Hamed by the British from horsemen who had escaped, but all these had said confidently that Mahmud would speedily drive them out again, and they had been in hourly fear that the Dervishes would swoop down upon them and carry off the few possessions still remaining to them. When within thirty miles of Berber the Arabs had halted on the bank, watching the gun-boat as, with great difficulty, it made its way up a cataract. Suddenly it was seen to stop, and a great bustle was observed on board. An exclamation of grief burst from the Arabs.

“ She has struck on a rock ! ” Ahmed Bey exclaimed. “ I am afraid she has,” said Gregory, who had all along ridden by his side at the head of the party. “I am afraid so; I hope she is not injured.”

Unfortunately the damage was serious. A hole had been knocked through her side under water, and the water poured in in volumes. A rush was made by those on board, and beds, pillows, and blankets were stuffed into the hole. This succeeded to some extent, and she was brought alongside the bank. The sheik and Gregory went down to meet her. General Hunter came to the side.

“ A large hole has been knocked in her,” he said to the sheik; we shall have to get the guns and stores on shore to