firing was not straight ahead, but somewhat to the left. "If
they attack Metemmeh at once we shall be all right," he said to himself.
"If they march straight down to the river we shall be all right still.
We shall only have to move along to them. It is lucky we did not strike
the river above the town, for it would have been next to impossible to
get round to them without being observed."

He went back to his companion, and told him what he had seen.

"There is evidently going to be another tough fight before they get down
to the water," the sergeant said. "It is very hard our being cut off
here. Not that I should be good for any fighting if I were with them."

"I have no great desire to be in another fight like the last," Edgar
said. "One go at that sort of thing is quite enough for me."

The hours passed slowly. The sergeant slept a good deal, and anxious as
Edgar was he too several times dozed off. Presently he exclaimed, "The
fire is become much heavier, sergeant; and it is nearer too. Listen!"

"It is the Arabs, lad," the sergeant said, raising himself on his elbow.
"It is heavy, but it is nothing like the roll of musketry you hear when
our fellows begin. But, as you say, it is much nearer; the column, or
part of it, is on its march towards the river."

Five minutes later a dull continuous rattle came to their ears.

"They are at it now. They have stopped!" he said a minute later when the
roar suddenly ceased. "What has happened now, I wonder? Ah! there they
are again. That is more like it--steady and even."

The musketry came in sudden crashes. "Volleys!" the sergeant said. "They
are near them."

For three or four minutes the sounds continued, and then there was
silence.

"They have beaten them off," the sergeant said. "They didn't let them
get near them this time, I expect. If they had there would have been
independent firing. As long as you hear volleys you may be sure our
fellows are not pressed."

Beyond an occasional shot the firing had ceased.

"How far do you think they are away now, sergeant?"

"If they were four miles before I don't think they are more than two
now, and a good bit more away to the left. They are making to the river,
so as to establish themselves there before they tackle Metemmeh."

"Then in half an hour they will be down on the river," Edgar said. "I
will wait that time, and then start and get a party to bring you in."

"You had better wait until to-morrow morning, lad. We