A MOMENTOUS COMMUNICATION ' 325 They started again at daybreak. At breakfast General Hunter said: I think that in another two hours we shall be pretty well due west of El Easher, so you had better presently get into your Dervish dress. You have got some iodine from the doctor, have you not ?

Yes.” “ You had better stain yourself all over, and take a good supply in case you have to do it again.” Gregory went below and had his head shaved by one of the Soudanese, then re-stained himself from head to foot and put on the Dervish attire—loose trousers and a long smock with six large square patches arranged in two lines in front; a white turban and a pair of shoes completed the costume. The officers laughed as he came on deck again. “ You look an out-and-out Dervish, Hilliard,” one of them said. It is lucky that there are none of the Lancers scouting about. They would hardly give you time to explain, especially with that rifle and spear.” Presently they came to a spot where the water was deep up to the bank, which was some six feet above its level. The barge with the camels was brought up alongside. It had no bulwark, and as the deck was level with the land, the camels were, with a good deal of pressing on the part of their drivers, and pushing by as many Soudanese as could come near enough to them, got ashore.

None of the Soudanese recognized Gregory, and looked greatly surprised at the sudden appearance of two Dervishes among them. As soon as the camels were landed, Gregory and Zaki mounted them.

‘You had better keep if anything to the south of east,” General Hunter’s last instructions had been. ‘‘Unless Parsons has been greatly delayed they should be two or three days’ march farther up the river, and every mile you strike the stream behind him is so much time lost.” He waved his hand to them and wished them farewell as