106 THE WAR IN THE SOUDAN.

there, too, ill-luck awaited us. The c nvoy that started from Korti Hhe day before had only left El Howeyet half an hour previous to our arrival—so quickly had we travelled—and they had drunk all the water. But we halted at El Howeyet until evening, and by that time enough water—if that name may be given to a fluid of the color and consistency of pea-soup—had accumulated to allow every man to have a slight drink. So wild were some of the soldiers with thirst, that for some time it seemed as if a tumult might set in ; but Major Wardroper ordered all to fall in as they stood, and so one by one, and in order, were they supplied with their share. On again we went until dark, the camels striding at their quickest pace, as anxious as their riders that water in plenty should be reached ; and on again in the morning too we went, making for the Wells of Abu Haifa, which, although some distance off the main track, were eight or ten miles nearer than Gakdul. There the guides assured us would water be .found in plenty. In front the squadron of the 19th Hussars pushed on, for the horses had only drunk a quart a piece during the previous twenty-four hours. They were much dis¬ tressed, of course, and, if not watered that day, would many of them assuredly die. At first the Well of Abu Haifa looked anything but promising.

A shallow pool of water, green on the top, we saw, which was well nigh emptied before even the horses had satisfied their thirst. But then a clear, bubbling spring, was discovered at the bottom, which, when cleared, afforded sufficient for everybody ; only the wretched camels went without. For a period the scene at the Abu Haifa Well was exciting in the extreme. Chat¬ tering Somalies, wild with thirst, barred from the main pool until the fighting men had drunk their full, grubbed frantically in the sand, and in an incon¬ ceivably short period dug holes, at the bottom of which a little water collected, that was promptly lapped up. The soldiers, too, could hardly be restrained from throwing discipline aside and thronged in on all sides, while in the background were plunging horses and camels broken loose and fighting desperately with their human masters for a place.

“At present we know not whether our road is to be barred by thousands, or whether we shall reach the Nile without firing a shot. In camp parlance it is ‘ even betting ’ on either contingency. We only know that if we fight at all it will not be for victory, but for very existence ; for behind us there will be no retreat. ” Poor fellow ; for him there was no retreat. Within a few hours—at the battle of Abu Klea, he was killed, doing his duty as bravely as the bravest fighting man.