is taken prisoner he will be sent
to the Mahdi, and if he isn't killed at once when he gets there, he will
be when the Mahdi sees that his game is up."

Easton nodded, and then, thanking the officer for his information, took
his way up to the village, where he repeated to Rupert what he had
heard. His own voice faltered as he told the story, while Rupert sobbed
unrestrainedly. When he had finished Rupert rose, pressed his hand
silently, and then returning to his own bivouac threw himself down and
thought sadly for hours over the loss of his brother.

The next day Rupert was busy from morning until night. A portion of the
force was employed in strengthening the fortifications of the two posts,
and a strong body was at work cutting wood for the use of the steamer in
which Sir Charles Wilson was to start next morning for Khartoum. While
at work they were guarded by another strong party, lest the enemy should
make a sudden attack. All, however, passed off quietly, and on the
following morning Sir Charles started with two steamers, taking with him
twenty men of the Sussex regiment and one hundred and fifty of the black
troops. On the same day three hundred troops selected from the various
regiments started on camels, with four hundred baggage camels under
their convoy, for Gakdul, in accordance with the orders given to General
Stewart by Lord Wolseley at starting, that as soon as he had established
himself upon the river he was to send back a convoy for some more
stores.

The convoy was, however, but a small one, for of over two thousand
camels which had left Korti, this number alone survived, and most of
these were in such a state from exhaustion, starvation, and sore backs,
that they were wholly unfit to travel. The force on the river was now
reduced to some fifty officers and eight hundred and seventy men,
including medical staff, commissariat, natives of all kinds, and the
remainder of the black troops and one hundred and twenty wounded. The
defences were greatly strengthened, officers and men both sharing in the
work.

During the day the Hussars scouted round the camp, frequently exchanging
shots with the enemy. At night strong lines of sentries were posted
round the forts. No attack was, however, made, although the natives
sometimes showed in considerable force during the day, and the beating
of tom-toms went on day and night round Metemmeh. The hard work upon
which the troops were engaged kept them for the most pa