INTERNAL REFORMS. 21

the honour to be von So-and-So,” was rather astonished to be answered by

“ Indeed ! Glad to hear it. Good name,” as the Colonel turned on his heel.

Colonel, now General, Baker, was charged with the formation of a gen¬ darmerie for the protection of Egypt along the desert borders. Colonel Hicks undertook to attack the Mahdi at El Obeid (to the south-west of Khartoum), and was killed at the battle of Kashgill. But of this more here¬ after.