hically. "We have had our share," they argued, "and if the
Mahdi's men fight as well as Osman Digma's we are quite willing that
others should have their whack. There will be no end of hard work, and
what fighting they get won't be all one way. Sand and heat, and
preserved meat and dirty water out of wells, are not very pleasant when
you have to stick to them for months together. Like enough, too, there
will be another rumpus down at Suakim while the expedition is away, and
then those who are left here now will get some more of it."

But although these arguments were loudly uttered, there was no doubt
that there was considerable soreness, and that the men felt the hardship
of favoured troops from England being employed in their stead in a
service that, if dangerous, was likely to offer abundant opportunities
for the display of courage and for gaining credit and honour.

CHAPTER IX.

THE CAMEL CORPS.

"Trumpeter Smith! Trumpeter Smith!" The shout ran through the arched
corridor of the barracks, and a soldier putting his head through one of
the windows repeated the cry at the top of his voice, for Trumpeter
Smith was not in his barrack-room. Edgar, in fact, was walking on the
shady side of the great court-yard chatting with two other troopers when
his name was shouted.

"Hullo! What is it?"

"You are to go to Major Horsley's quarters."

Edgar buttoned up his jacket, ran to the washing-place, plunged his head
and hands in water and hastily dried them, smoothed down his hair with
his pocket-comb at a piece of looking-glass that had been stuck up
against the wall above the basins, and adjusting his cap to the correct
angle made his way to Major Horsley's quarters, wondering much what he
could be wanted for, but supposing that he was to be sent on some
message into the town.

The soldier-servant showed him into the room where Major Horsley and his
wife were sitting.

After a word or two of kindly greeting from the lady, Major Horsley went
on: "I told you a long time back, Smith, that I should not forget the
service you did my wife and her sister, and that I would do you a good
turn if I ever got the chance. Is there anything you particularly want
at present?"

"No, sir, except that I have been thinking that I should be glad to give
up my trumpet. I am just eighteen now, and it would be better for me, I
think, to take my regular place in the ranks. I should be more likely to
be promoted there than I am as a