oy."

"There are plenty in the transport yard. They have been bought up from
fugitives who have come in here. I will write you an order to select
any one you choose; and if you see one you think better than your own,
you can take it also; and hand yours over to the transport, to keep
until you return.

"You should take a Martini-Henri with you. I will give you an order for
one, on one of the native regiments. They are, as you know, armed with
them; and have, of course, a few cases of spare rifles. A good many
have fallen into the hands of the Dervishes, at one time or another, so
that your carrying such a weapon will not excite any remark. It would
not do to take a revolver, but no doubt you will be able to buy pistols
that have been brought down by the fugitives. You will certainly be
able to get them at some of those Greek shops. They buy up all that
kind of thing. Of course, you will carry one of the Dervish long
knives.

"Is there anything else that you can think of?"

"Nothing, sir."

"When will you be ready, do you suppose?"

"By the day after tomorrow, sir. I shall start after dark, so that no
one will notice my going. With your permission, I will come round
before I set off, so that you can see whether the disguise is good
enough to pass."

Chapter 7: To Metemmeh.

Zaki at once set to work to collect the articles needed for the
journey; and Gregory obtained, from the transport, another horse and
two native saddles. He was well satisfied with his own animal; and,
even had he found in the transport yard a better horse, he would still
have preferred his own, as they were accustomed to each other. He
bought pistols for himself and Zaki, and a matchlock for the latter.

Everything was ready by the time Gregory went to the mess to lunch, on
the day fixed for his departure. Nothing whatever had been said as to
his leaving, as it was possible that some of the native servants, who
waited upon them, might have picked up sufficient English to gather
that something important was about to take place. When, however, the
meal was over and he said carelessly, "I shall not be at mess this
evening;" he saw, by the expression of the officers' faces, that they
all were aware of the reason for his absence. One after another they
either shook hands with him, or gave him a quiet pat on the shoulder,
with the words "Take care of yourself, lad," or "A safe journey and a
speedy return," or some other kind wish.

Going