204 EGYPT AND THE SOUDAN.

i ft. 8 in., or 4 in. under the prescribed limit. The total weight then on board was estimated at over 3 tons, and the boat abundantly answered all expectations, and was pronounced by the War Office and Admiralty representatives all that could be desired, though it was observed that the process of storage would have to be much less rough and ready if the rowers were to occupy seats for rowing purposes in any but the most cramped positions.

The figures eventually decided on for further orders were, that each boat, which would practically have everything on board for its own crew, and so would represent, as it were, an unit of force, should be equal to the carriage of a weight of 6700 lb., the little vessel itself to weigh 1300 lb. Each boat was supplied with awnings divided into three, with the object of giving shade when the masts were stepped, and carried twelve oars, rowing double banked. There was a crutch at the bow and stern for the purpose of steering from the stern, or, in the event of the boat turning round suddenly in a rapid, permitting of utilizing the bow oar for steering purposes. Each boat was to be constructed like an ordinary clinker-built whale-boat, and to carry six punt poles, irontipped.

The quantities of stores for rations, including the Chicago tinned beef, which the soldiers called " bully beef," forming the chief rations of meat, were exceedingly varied, though, as mostly happens in a campaign, many of the articles which were meant as luxuries were not very systematically distributed, and got a good deal mixed before the expedition was very far on its enterprise. According to the original intentions, though it was expected that the troops would be able to make or purchase bread occasionally, tinned meat and biscuits formed the staple provision, and for the sake of variety as well as of health the biscuit was to be of two kinds, "naval" and "cabin," the latter being slightly medicinal. The coxswain of each boat was to be a non-commissioned officer, and to have absolute command of the stores and of the discipline.

He was to be provided with a spring-balance for weighing out the rations, and strictly under his charge was a box of medical