asten them across the saddle in front
of us. If we see horsemen in the distance, we can take them into our
hands."

"I think, Master, it would be easier to fasten them behind the saddles,
where there is more width, and rings on the saddle on both sides."

A short halt was made, and the spears fixed. Gregory then looked at his
compass.

"We must make for that rise, two or three miles away. I see exactly the
point we must aim for. When we get there, we must look at the compass
again."

They kept steadily on for six hours. They had seen no human figure,
since they started.

"We will stop here for half an hour," Gregory said. "Give the animals a
drink of water, and a handful or two of grain."

"I don't think they will want water, Master. They had as much as they
could drink, before starting, and they are accustomed to drink when
their work is over."

"Very well. At any rate, we will take something."

They opened one of the water skins, and poured some of the contents
into a gourd. Then, sitting down in the shadow of the camels, they ate
some dates and bread. They had only brought native food with them so
that, if captured and examined, there should be nothing to show that
they had been in contact with Europeans. Gregory had even left his
revolver behind him as, being armed with so good a weapon as a
Remington, it was hardly likely that it would be needed; and if found
upon them, it would be accepted as a proof that he was in the
employment of the infidels.

It was dusk when they arrived at the bank of the river. No incident had
marked the journey, nor had they seen any sign that Dervishes were in
the neighbourhood. The Atbara was in full flood, and was rushing down
at six or seven miles an hour.

"Colonel Parsons must have had great difficulty in crossing, Zaki. He
is hardly likely to have brought any boats across, from Kassala. I
don't know whether he has any guns with him, but if he has, I don't
think he can have crossed, even if they made rafts enough to carry
them."

They kept along the bank, until they reached a spot where the river had
overflowed. Here the camels drank their fill. A little grain was given
to them, and then they were turned loose, to browse on the bushes.

"There is no fear of their straying, I suppose, Zaki?"

"No, Master. They are always turned loose at night. As there are plenty
of bushes here, they will not go far."

After another meal, they both lay down to sleep; and, as soon a