260 EGYPT AND THE SOUDAN.

the Nile, and had to remain at the hospital at Wady Haifa or to be returned there.

The mounted infantry camp at Dongola was in the same area beyond the Sussex, the camels being picketed neatly in lines in the plain some 200 yards from the tents. From these lines rose throughout the day a tremendous bellowing, roaring, screaming, and groaning. Save when worn out by fatigue the camel is never quiet. He is never at any time happy; he will mostly bite at the hand that feeds and tends him with the same animosity that he exhibits towards the hand that loads and bridles him. He knows naught of gratitude, is bereft of any of the softer passions, and looks on whomsoever approaches him for whatever purpose as his bitterest enemy. It must be remembered, however, that he has never been much encouraged to regard mankind otherwise. The men and officers of the mounted infantry sought by care and attention to improve his health and appearance by every means in their power. They even went so far as to groom him, an attention to which the camel is altogether unaccustomed, and which at first so filled him with astonishment as to deprive him of the power to protest. Soon, however, it dawned upon him that he was being cleaned, and, his resentment quickly roused, he at once filled the air with hideous roars and groans, which he never failed to renew each time the process was repeated.

It was a remarkable instance of the adaptability of the English, however, that our men who took part in the camel as well as in the horse and pony races which they were conspicuous in starting, although they were not actual winners, got very good places in the front, and yet they had only had about a fortnight's practice and competed with those who had almost lived on camels from their birth.

On the 1 st of December the last boat with soldiers on board had left Wady Haifa, and the troops which had not already reached Dongola were then all advancing at various stages.

At Debbeh there were three companies of the Sussex Regiment (35th); at Handak, forty miles in advance of Dongola, the mounted infantry, the Guards camel corps, and one squadron of Hussars — in