MARCH OF THE CAMEL CORPS. 5 On the 30th of December Sir Herbert Stewart had as a preliminary movement taken the camel corps to occupy the wells at Gakdul, which were not much less than half of the journey across the Bayuda. The Guards Camel Coq:>s, which had been inspected at Dongola by Lord Wolseley, presented a very imposing appearance. Two hundred stalwart men, wearing their scarlet tunics, thoroughly equipped, and mounted on camels over which they had complete control, somewhat astonished the Turkish officers on the staff of the mudir; and as they filed off in a long line towards the desert, they were evidently fit for the immediate service which they were called upon to undertake. The column was preceded by thirty-four men of the 19th Hussars to act as scouts in advance. These were followed by the Guard Camel Corps, some 380 men and 650 camels belonging to the light and heavy divisions of the camel corps and artillery. The men of these divisions having been temporarily dismounted remained behind, their camels, as well as 500 transport camels, being loaded with provisions and stores. The mounted infantry, 3S7 strong, brought up the rear. The guards were to be dismounted at Gakdul and were to remain in charge of the stores, while their camels returned to Korti along with those of the other camel corps and the transport, so that the men of the light and the heavy camel corps and of the artillery might be remounted, and the camels of the transport and guards be loaded up again with provisions and with the stores of the Sussex Regiment, which was to accompany the second column to Gakdul. Of course the progress of the expedition from Gakdul to Metammeh would depend on the situation and intentions of the enemy, and of the disposition of the Hassan Ayob tribe, through whose country the column would have to pass. The men who were ordered on service with the first column were in high spirits, and envied " for their luck " by those who were left behind. The preparations kept the camp in commotion, which only subsided as the time approached for the assembly of the force. The camels once laden ceased to groan and scream, and stalked off to the ground marked off for them, presently followed by the guards corps and the