hand. The revolt of
the Mahdi had occurred, Khartoum had fallen, and the brave Gordon had
lost his life.

A relief expedition into the Soudan was organized under the command of
a tall, stern soldier named Kitchener, who began his first preparations
to march into the interior about the time that Haig was putting on his
first Hussar uniform.

The campaign in Egypt dragged, despite the zeal of the leader. In
disgust, Kitchener returned to England to demand more men. The request
was at last granted, and by December, 1888, he was in command of a
force of over 4,000 troops, of which number 750 were British regulars!
Those were indeed the days of the "Little Contemptibles," but right
manfully they measured up to their tasks. And in the British force was
the Seventh Hussars, including Haig. He was about to achieve his
life's ambition, at last--to see real service as a British soldier.

Haig was then a well-knit young man of twenty-seven. His outdoor
exercise had browned and hardened him, until he looked thoroughly fit
for the exacting job ahead. He was slightly under medium size, but
tough and wiry to the last degree. His shoulders were broad, his head
well set, and the bulging calves of his legs showed the born
cavalryman. He had fair, almost sandy hair, a close-cropped mustache,
and steel-blue eyes which met honestly and unflinchingly the gaze of
any with whom he talked. He looked then, as in later years, "every
inch a soldier," and speedily won the confidence of his superiors.

The silent Kitchener, who was a keen judge of men, soon took a fancy to
this quiet young lieutenant. A friendship sprang up between them, that
was destined to bear far-reaching fruit. The two men were both
reserved in demeanor, but in a different sort of way. Kitchener was
taciturn and often inclined to growl. Haig was a man of few words and
no intimates, but greeted all with a pleasant smile. To this young
Scotsman Kitchener unbent more than was his wont, and was actually seen
shaking hands with him, at parting, on a later occasion; which all goes
to show that even commanding officers can be human.

On the march into the Soudan, Kitchener was in command of the Egyptian
Cavalry also. The Khedive was exceedingly anxious that the rebellion
be crushed speedily, and had made Kitchener the "sirdar." One of the
first actions in this campaign was the Battle of Gemaizeh. Three
brigades were sent to storm the forts held by the dervishes,