THE CAMP AT DONGOLA. 259 in good part, and as he was permitted to make it for himself had the shrewdness not to remonstrate.

It need scarcely be said that the British camp was quite a conspicuous feature in the town, or rather just outside the town — the site for the Sussex regiments having been very judiciously chosen ; placarded directions to it and to the commissariat field hospital and mounted-infantry camp being one of the first objects noticed by passengers arriving" at the river side on the nuggars or steamers. The ist Royal Sussex, encamped in rows of tents between rows of date-palms to protect them from heat and dust, were old campaigners, for they had been living almost constantly under canvas for four years, and had adopted all the best contrivances for comfort and the best means for maintaining cheerfulness and good fellowship which could be discovered under the circumstances.

In the 1SS2 campaign, while this regiment was encamped on the Mahmoudieh Canal, the men had made their tents look something like some of the canvas abodes at Wimbledon by inscribing them with titles such as " The Old Grumblers' Retreat" or " The Cottage by the Sea" mostly by the aid of charcoal; and though they had no leisure there for much recreation, they were worthy to be comrades of Mark Tapley in regard to jollity. At Dongola they remained faithful to their tradition, and held weekly concerts, and by the aid of a part of their band, which had contrived to get to the front, made very successful entertainments. It may be remembered that both the general in command and the officers of the expedition, not only permitted, but encouraged and occasionally stimulated by their personal presence these social amusements, and this will in great measure account for the cheerfulness, and even for the comparatively healthy condition of the men.

Beyond the "Sussex" camp was the commissariat headquarters, a little fortress of bales, barrels, and boxes, the field hospital, in a cool and shady spot, with spacious accommodation for some sixty patients, and occupied by a much smaller number, the average ol sick among the troops being under 5 per cent, though a number of men had fallen sick early in the campaign during the passage of