last them
through the day, so they must move forward however many of the natives
may be in their way. It is not like the last business; then they were on
us almost before we knew they were coming, but in this flat country we
shall have plenty of warning; and I will bet a year's pay they don't get
up to our square again. I think, lad, I will get you to set my bandages
right again."

Edgar uttered an exclamation of alarm. There was a large dark patch on
the sergeant's trousers. In dressing after their bathe the bandages had
shifted a little, and the bleeding had recommenced. It was evident at
once to Edgar that a great deal of blood had been lost, for Sergeant
Bowen lay faint and exhausted upon the ground. Unknown to himself the
action of the camel had set the wound off bleeding during the night, and
although he had said nothing to Edgar about it, he had with difficulty
walked up from the river to their hiding-place. Edgar ran down to the
river with the two water-bottles; when he returned he found his
companion insensible. He unbuttoned his tunic and got at the wound, from
which blood was still flowing. He washed it, made a plug of wet linen,
and with some difficulty bandaged it tightly. After some time the
sergeant opened his eyes.

"Don't try to move," Edgar said. "I have staunched and bandaged the
wound, and you will be better soon."

"It is a bad job, lad; just at present when we want to be up and doing."

"There is nothing to do at present, sergeant. We have only to wait
quietly until our fellows come down to the river, and then I will soon
get you assistance."

"Do you hear the firing still?"

"It is just as it was," Edgar replied, after listening attentively for a
minute.

"Then I expect they have formed another zareba, as they did at Abu Klea,
and that they will leave the camels there and march straight down to the
river."

"I will steal up to the edge of the desert, if you don't mind being left
alone a bit. I shall be able to judge then how far they are off."

"Do so, lad; I am all right here. But do not be too long away or I shall
be anxious."

Edgar made his way a quarter of a mile back. Some cultivated fields
stretched before him, and beyond them the rolling hillocks of the
desert. He could see men on horseback and foot moving about, and looking
to the right saw about half a mile distant a place of some extent, which
was, he felt sure, Metemmeh. Numbers of men were pouring out from the
town. The