' Camel Corps, two squadrons of the 19th Hussars, and the
Mounted Infantry.

In the few days that had passed since the troops to which Edgar was
attached had arrived at Korti the change in the appearance of the place
was great. The grove of palm-trees still stood near the bend of the
river, but the green fields of grass and the broad patches of growing
crops had been either levelled or trampled down, and the neighbourhood
of the camp presented the appearance of the sandy wastes of Aldershot.

On the evening of that day Skinner rushed into Easton's tent.

"I have just seen Clinton," he said, "and the rumours are going to be
fulfilled at last. They did not inspect our water-skins, arms, and
accoutrements for nothing to-day. We are to start on the 30th across the
desert. There is no secret about it, or of course Clinton wouldn't have
told me. There are to be our regiment, a squadron of Hussars, the
Mounted Infantry, and Engineers. We are to take with us baggage-camels
and the camels of the heavy and light regiments. We are going to Gakdul,
about a hundred miles off. There all the stores are to be left, and the
camels and Mounted Infantry to come back here. We are to remain to guard
the stores. As soon as the camels return here, the Heavies are to take
their own beasts, and, with the Mounted Infantry, escort every baggage
animal that can be got up here, when we shall all go on together. Sir
Herbert Stewart commands."

"What about baggage?" Easton asked, after expressing his deep
satisfaction that the advance was about to begin.

"Only what we can carry ourselves on our camels, and the weight is
limited to forty pounds, which is abundant even for sybarites like you
guardsmen. A quarter of that would be amply sufficient for me. A couple
of blankets, a waterproof sheet, half a dozen flannel shirts, ditto
socks, pair of slippers, and a spare karkee suit; sponge, tooth-brush,
and a comb. What can anyone want more?"

"I should like to take my waterproof bath," Easton said.

"Pooh! nonsense, man! Where are you going to get your water from?"

"There is water at Gakdul, and there will be plenty when we get to
Metemmeh," Easton said.

"Well, I will grant that," Skinner said; "but anyhow you can manage
very well as we do. Make a hole in the sand and put your waterproof
sheet into it, and there you have got as good a bath as anyone can want.
What is the use of lumbering yourself up with things you do not want?
Much better tak