CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENTS AT KORTL 26 o opposite bank, and the dark figures of the men be seen, through the veil of smoke, moving about the camp-fires, perhaps with the silhouettes of two or three camels in the background.

On Christmas night, the day having been observed with no small amount of jollification, but soberly and decent withal, the whole force, from the general in command downward, assembled in a vast circle round an open-air stage erected by the Royal Engineers. There were no lack of entertainers, and excellent music, burlesque orations, comic, sentimental, and patriotic songs, part-songs and choruses, nigger dances, and serenades, topical songs, and other amusing performances were kept going with much spirit in accordance with a regular programme, to which both officers and men contributed, several volunteers filling up the intervals during which the performers had to be brought forward, among them a blue jacket from the Nassif-cl-Khcir, whose appearance on the platform elicited unbounded applause. It was a striking scene, a creditable and highly enjoyable performance; and probably no finer body of troops was ever assembled, though they were hardened by toil, sunburnt, scarred, and, truth to tell, rather shabbily clad in worn, and many in ragged, uniforms.

Lord Wolseley was there all the time with cheery looks and words and sprightly confident bearing; and the entertainment was to have been repeated on New Year's night, but no more time could be spared for rest or amusement. Tidings of Gordon still holding on, but of the Mahdi gathering his forces, were received.

Rumours, many, and often conflicting, at all events tended to show that there must be a rapid move towards Khartum, and it was determined to push forward a column across the Bayiida territory to Metammeh, and at the same time to pursue the journey by the Nile with a force under General Brackenbury.

The latest news received from Gordon at Khartum forbade unnecessary delay. His letter, dated November 4th, had said: — "At Metammeh waiting your orders are five steamers with nine guns. We can hold out forty days with ease, after that it will be difficult. The Mahdi is here about eight miles away. All north side along the White Nile is free of Arabs, they are on south and