can do very well
until then. I may be able to crawl by that time. Anyhow, they will have
their hands full this afternoon. They will have to make a zareba by the
river, attend to the wounded, and perhaps send back a force to bring in
the camels and baggage, who were no doubt left behind at the spot where
they were firing this morning. There is grub enough in the haversacks to
last us until to-morrow, and plenty of water for the fetching."

"Just as you think best, sergeant. My shoulder is smarting a good deal,
and I shall be all the better for a few more hours' rest myself. It will
soon be getting dusk, so I will go down and get another supply of water
at once, and then we can do a good twelve hours' sleep without fear of
being called up for outpost duty. We have got three or four nights'
sleep to make up."

It was broad daylight before they awoke. The sergeant got on to his
feet, but it was evident to Edgar that he was altogether unfit for
walking.

"Shall I saddle your camel for you, sergeant?"

"No, lad; I will stay where I am. Like enough the Arabs will be swarming
about just within gun-shot of our camp. They are obstinate beggars, and
do not know when they are fairly beaten. If I were as active as you are
we might manage to get through on foot, but a man on a camel would be
sure to be seen. Be very careful, lad, how you go. Remember, if you are
seen you are lost; for these fellows could run you down to a certainty,
and your only chance is to get through without being noticed."

"I don't like leaving you, sergeant."

"But you must leave me, lad. We have no food to speak of left, and it
will be just as dangerous to-morrow or next day as it is to-day.
Besides, your duty is with the corps. Every musket may be needed, and
the sooner you go the sooner I shall be fetched in."

"Very well, then, I will start at once," Edgar said.

He first went down to the river, filled the two water-bottles and placed
them both by the sergeant's side, and emptied what little food remained
in his haversack.

"Now you will do for a couple of days if anything should occur to
prevent them from sending out."

"I shall do very well, lad. It is not of myself I shall be thinking, but
of you. The gladdest sound that ever fell on my ears will be the tramp
of infantry, for then I shall know that you have got safely through.
Good-bye, lad, and God bless you!"

Edgar wrung the sergeant's hand, and, unable to trust himself to speak,
turne