nization, that had been the main factor in the work. No wonder that
even the Iron Sirdar almost broke down, at such a moment.

The bugles sounded, and the troops broke up their formation; and, for
half an hour, wandered through the empty chambers of the palace, and
the wild and beautiful garden. Another bugle call, and they streamed
down to the water's edge, took to the boats, and returned to Omdurman.

The long-delayed duty, which England owed to one of her noblest sons,
had been done. Gordon had had his burial. None knew where his bones
reposed, but that mattered little. In the place where he was slain, all
honour had been done to him; and the British flag waved over the spot
where he disappeared, forever, from the sight of his countrymen.

On Gregory's return, he found Zaki in a state of the highest
excitement.

"Why, what is the matter with you, Zaki?"

"Oh, master, I have found my two sisters!"

"That is good news, indeed. I am very glad to hear it, Zaki. How did
you find them?"

"While you were away, Master, I had been walking through the town; and
when I was passing near the outskirts, a woman came to a door, and
looked very hard at me. Then she suddenly drew aside the cloth from her
face and cried, 'Surely it is Zaki!'

"Then I knew her--she was my elder sister. Then another woman came to
the door--it was my younger sister, and you can imagine my joy. Both
had been married to Baggaras, who had carried them off. Their husbands
had gone to the battle, and had not returned; and some neighbours who
had gone to the battlefield, next day, brought back news that they had
found both bodies; so one sister came to stay with the other. People
had told them that it was safe to go out, and that no one was injured
who did so; but they had a store of grain in the house, and they
decided to wait and see what happened.

"One of them, seeing me come along, and observing that I belonged to
the Jaalin, came out to ask me the news; and they were as delighted as
I was, at our meeting."

"And your mother, do they know anything of her?"

"She was killed, Master," Zaki said sorrowfully. "I thought possibly it
would be so. The Dervishes did not carry off old women. They killed
them, and the little children. I had never hoped to see her again; but
I did think, when we entered Omdurman, that my sisters might be here."

"What are they going to do?"

"They will go down to Berber. I have told them that many of the people
here