then he
told them as it was you 'ad done it. My eye! if I had him here now,
I'd knock his face out through the back of his head!" The clay pipe
literally crowed with rage.

"Well, you may be interested to hear that it was Raymond Fosberton
himself who took the watch." And Jack proceeded to tell the story of
his find.

"So he stole it himself, did he?" exclaimed Crouch, as the narrative
concluded. "Law me! if I had him here, I'd--"

"Never mind!" interrupted the other, laughing. "I may have a chance of
settling up with him myself some day."

"What shall you do when you see him?"

"Oh, I don't know!" answered Jack. "I daresay I shall have my revenge."

Joe relapsed into silence, but for some time sudden squeaks from his
pipe showed that he was still meditating on the terrible vengeance
which he would mete out to Raymond Fosberton, should that gentleman
leave his comfortable lodgings in England and appear unexpectedly in
the Bayuda Desert.

* * * * *

At length the morning came, and with it the report that the
baggage-train was in sight. The news was welcome, and the work of
knee-lashing and unloading the camels did not take long. The previous
morning's hasty breakfast under fire had not been, by any means, a
satisfying meal; and so, after a fast of nearly two days, the prospect
of food made the men active enough in unpacking the stores.

Jack seized his ration of bully beef and biscuit with the fierce
eagerness of a famished wolf; cold, hunger, and weary, sleepless nights
had never been the lot of the lead troops campaigning on the
lumber-room floor at Brenlands, or of their commanders either; nor, for
the matter of that, is it usual for youthful, would-be warriors to
associate such things with the triumph of a victory.

Our hero had finished his meal, and was cleaning his rifle, when he was
accosted by Joe Crouch.

"I say, Mr. Fenleigh wants to see you. He's over there by the guns."

Valentine was standing talking to some of his fellow-officers. He
turned away from the group as he saw his cousin approaching, and the
latter halted and accorded him the customary salute.

"Look here," said the subaltern, "the general is sending dispatches
back to Korti, and the officers have the opportunity of telegraphing to
their friends in England. I'm going to send a message home to let them
know I'm all right. Shall I put in a word for you? I'm sure," added
the speaker, "that Aunt