ounded.

Gregory had accompanied Colonel Wingate, and acted as one of his staff
officers. He had, of course, brought his horse with him. It was an
excellent animal, and had been used by him in all his excursions from
Omdurman.

"That is rather a different affair from the fight on the Atbara, Zaki,"
he said, when the force gathered in Fadil's camp, after the pursuit was
relinquished; "the Dervishes fought just as bravely, but in one case
they had a strong position to defend, while today they took the
offensive. It makes all the difference."

"I am glad to have seen some fighting again, Master, for it has been
dull work stopping ten months in Omdurman, with nothing to do but ride
about the country, and decide upon the villagers' quarrels."

"It has been useful work, Zaki, and I consider myself very fortunate in
being so constantly employed. I was desperately afraid that Colonel
Wingate would leave me there, and I was greatly relieved when he told
me that I was to come with him. It is a fortunate thing that we have
beaten our old enemy, Fadil, here. In the first place because, if the
three or four thousand men he had with him had joined the Khalifa, it
would have given us harder work in tomorrow's fight; and in the next
place his arrival, with his followers who have escaped, at the
Khalifa's camp, is not likely to inspirit the Dervishes there."

Gregory was occupied, all the afternoon, in examining the prisoners.
They affirmed that they had left the former camp, three days before,
with the intention of proceeding to Gedid; where Fadil was to join the
Khalifa with captured grain, when the whole Dervish force was to march
north.

The troops slept during the afternoon, and in the evening set out for
Gedid, which they reached at ten o'clock the next morning. A Dervish
deserter reported that the Khalifa was encamped seven miles to the
southeast. Fortunately, a pool with sufficient water for the whole
force was found at Gedid; which was a matter of great importance, for
otherwise the expedition must have fallen back.

It was hoped that the Khalifa would now stand at bay, as our occupation
of Gedid barred his advance north. Behind him was a waterless, and
densely wooded district. The capture of the grain on which he had
relied would render it impossible for him to remain long in his present
position, and his only chance of extricating himself was to stand and
fight.

After twelve hours' rest the troops were roused, and