times the
troops marched four abreast, at other times they had to go in single
file across the rocky ground. The fun of the camel-riding very soon
passed off, and the men found the marches extremely dull and monotonous,
and were heartily glad when they got to Dongola.

Here the rest of the regiment joined them. Marching twenty miles up the
river they crossed the Nile in boats, and another day's march took them
to Shabadud; and after a stay there of some days, drilling with other
corps, they moved on to Korti, four days' march. The site chosen for the
camp delighted the men. Groves of palms grew along the steep banks of
the river; beyond were fields of grass and broad patches of cultivated
land. Here they were to wait until the rest of the mounted troops came
up, and a portion, at any rate, of the infantry arrived in the boats.

CHAPTER X.

AN UNEXPECTED MEETING.

"It is a nice place for a camp, isn't it, youngster?"

"Very nice, sergeant; but it will soon be spoiled with all these troops
arriving. It is very pretty now with that grove of palm-trees, and the
low green bushes that hide the sand, and the river with all the boats
with white sails. I have just been counting them, there are thirty-two
in sight. But when we get three or four regiments here they will soon
cut down the scrub and spoil its appearance altogether."

"That is so, lad; troops make a pretty clear sweep of everything where
they settle down."

Edgar had taken a good deal to Sergeant Bowen, who had shown him many
little kindnesses on the way up. He was an older man than most of those
engaged in the expedition, and Edgar judged him to be thirty-two or
thirty-three years old. He was a fine, tall, soldierly-looking fellow,
and had served in various parts of the world.

"Let us sit down," the sergeant said; "this bush will give us a little
shade. How long have you been in the army, lad?"

"Better than two years. Directly the campaign is over I shall give up my
trumpet, and hope I shall get my stripes soon."

"How old are you--nineteen?"

"Not for some months yet, sergeant."

"Hope to get your commission some day?" the sergeant said. "I suppose
that is what you entered the army for."

"Yes, partly, sergeant; partly because I saw no other way of keeping
myself."

"But what are your friends doing?"

"I have not any friends; at least none that I care to apply to," Edgar
answered shortly.

"No friends, lad? That is bad. But I do not w