you like campaigning? I see that you
have given up white shirts, like the rest of us. I rather expected that
if we did meet I should find that, in some miraculous way, you still
contrived to get up immaculately."

Easton laughed. "No, I left my last white shirt at Cairo, Clinton. I
consulted my soldier-servant about it. He was ready to guarantee the
washing, but he did not see his way to starching and ironing; so I had
to give them up and take to flannels. They were awful at first, and
irritated my skin until they brought on prickly heat, and I was almost
out of my mind for a few days. However, I have got over it now. What
made you go into the Marines, Skinner?"

"Well, just before the exam, came off an uncle of mine, who is a great
friend of the first lord, wrote to say that he could get me a
commission. Well, in the first place I did not feel very sure of passing
for the line; in the second place I had a liking for the sea, and in the
third place, as my governor's living is not a very large one and I have
a lot of sisters, and I thought I had had more than my share already in
being sent to Cheltenham--and one can live a good deal cheaper in the
Marines than in the line--I concluded the best thing I could do was to
accept the offer; and I have not been sorry that I did it. It was awful
luck my coming out in the Naval Brigade here; it was just a fluke. The
man who was going was chucked off a horse and broke his arm the day
before the brigade sailed from Suakim, and I was sent up in his place.
Well, what is the last news, Clinton? You ought to know, as you are on
the staff."

"They don't intrust aides-de-camp with their secrets," Rupert replied;
"but I think it likely there will be a move in a day or two, and that
the Camel Corps will push across to Metemmeh and wait there till the
boats get round."

"Yes, that is what every one is talking about," Easton said. "The
question that is agitating us is whether all the Camel Corps will go;
and if not, which will be chosen?"

"Ah, that I know nothing about, Easton; but I should think if any go,
the Guards would be sure to be in it. But whether the Heavies or the
Lights will go, if only two are chosen, I cannot say. I should fancy one
will go with the boats anyhow, so as to keep along parallel with them
and protect them against any sudden attack while they are afloat."

"Will the chief go on, do you think?"

"Not if only a small body cross the desert. At least I should