Corps, which was pitched close by the Pyramids, and to bring back his
horse. He therefore mounted and rode out of the barracks, amid many a
friendly farewell from his comrades. He rode with his companion into the
town and down to the river, crossed in a ferry-boat, and then rode on to
the camp. Inquiring for the adjutant's tent Edgar dismounted and walked
up to that officer, and presented a note from the colonel.

The officer glanced at it. "Oh, you have come to accompany us!" he said.
"You look very young for the work, lad; but I suppose your colonel would
not have chosen you unless he thought you could stand it. I see you have
got our uniform, but you want a helmet. We can manage that for you.
Sergeant Jepherson, see if Trumpeter Johnson's helmet will fit this man;
he is going with us in his place. Fit him out with water-bottle and
accoutrements, and tell him off to a tent."

The helmet fitted fairly, and only needed a little padding to suit
Edgar, who, after putting it on, ran out to where his comrade was
waiting for him and fastened his own head-gear to the pummel of his
saddle.

"Good-bye, young un!" the trooper said. "Hold your own with these
heavies for the honour of the regiment. They mean well, you know, so
don't be too hard upon them."

Edgar laughed as he shook the man by the hand, and as he rode off turned
to look at the scene around him.

There were two camps at a short distance from each other, that of the
Heavy Camel Corps to which he now belonged, composed of men of the 1st
and 2d Life Guards, Blues, Bays, 4th and 5th Dragoon Guards, Royals,
Scots Greys, 5th and 16th Lancers. The other was the Guards Corps,
composed of men of the three regiments of foot guards. Edgar's first
feeling as he looked at the men who were standing about or lying in the
shade of the little triangular Indian mountain-service tents, was that
he had suddenly grown smaller. He was fully up to the average height of
the men of his own regiment, but he felt small indeed by the side of the
big men of the heavy cavalry regiments.

"This way, lad," the sergeant into whose charge he had been given, said.
"What is your name?"

"I am down as Ned Smith."

The sergeant smiled at the answer, for no inconsiderable number of men
enlist under false names. He led the way through the little tents until
he stopped before one where a tall soldier was lying at full length on
the sand. "Willcox, this man has come to take the place of Trumpeter